Chief Metallurgist

Job Location:      Eritrea, East Africa
Job Closing Date:  04 May, 2021
Salary:                 Market Related
Contract Period:  Definite (2 Years)

Introduction to Bisha Mining Share Company

BMSC is an Eritrean company formed for the development and operation of the Bisha Mine in western Eritrea, Africa. It is owned by Zijin Mining Group Co Ltd. (55%) and the Eritrean National Mining Corporation (ENAMCO) (45%).  The Bisha Mine is a high-grade copper, gold, silver and zinc mine that commenced production in February 2011. The Bisha Mine has received continuous support from the Eritrean government, who granted the Company's mining license in January 2008. The project is the first modern mine in Eritrea. 

After two years of low cost gold production, the Bisha Mine transitioned to low-cost, high-grade copper production in 2013.  Starting in 2016, Bisha also produces zinc concentrate. Further resource potential exists at depth and from nearby discoveries within the Company's licensed areas.

The site is a well-established site with excellent catering and recreational facilities. The site also offers Wi-Fi internet coverage throughout the village as well international TV and a full gymnasium. Security ranks with best in the world and employees are able to roam in and around the mining site freely for walking, cycling, jogging, etc.  Expatriates work a roster of 6 weeks on and 3 weeks off ((temporarily due to the pandemic and limited flights in/out of Eritrea the roster is 10/5); we offer on-site medical services as well as company medical, accident death and disability and life insurance (employee only); Employees are provided with private rooms with en-suite toilet and shower facilities; Working hours at Bisha are Monday to Saturday from 6am to 6pm with a one hour lunch break and Sundays from 6am to 12pm with the afternoon off.

The successful candidate will earn a salary which is market related. Contract is for a period of 02 (two) Years.

Kindly Note - Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Please consider your application unsuccessful if you do not receive a response within 2 weeks after the application closing date.

Primary Purpose

• The Chief Metallurgist will be responsible for supporting site management in the implementation of safe operating practices, defining production technical limits, and guiding improvements, metal accounting and trouble-shooting problems within the process plant.
• The incumbent will introduce and mentor operating personnel towards sound metallurgical practices and will pursue optimum efficiency and outcomes including any defined and approved research and development projects in support of improving process and maintenance efficiency.
• Commitment to Nationalization which requires mentoring and development of Eritrean National Metallurgists.

Essential Functions

• The Chief Metallurgist reports directly to the site Process Plant Manager in all aspects of Process Plant operations, cost control, research, projects, process control, metallurgical accounting and metallurgy.

Main Functions

Planning

• Develop, implement and maintain safe work procedures and promote safety, health and environmental awareness.
• Monitor the metallurgical systems and business processes, identify and priorities improvement opportunities and formulate alternatives and improvements to systems and methods.
• Develop continuous improvement targets for the plant and drive and measure achievement of these targets. Including H&S and Environmental improvements in the process plant.
• Ensure the development and maintenance of up to date operational systems to monitor and control quality of the final concentrate and ensure any deviations in quality are investigated and documented.
• Assist with the development of the yearly business plan, setting strategic direction and produce the budget for the coming year for costs and metallurgical results.
• Develop plans to integrate metallurgical data from the laboratory test work and processing operations into the geological data generated through the grade control process. Coordinate the mine-to-mill process from a deviation perspective.
• Monitor daily metallurgical and process KPI’s and determine solutions to improve quality, reduce costs and sustainability
• Develop upskilling plans to increase metallurgical, process and project implementation within the metallurgical team.

Implementation of the Plan

• Responsible for the daily operating strategy, designed to give operating guidelines for the operations team
• Responsible for the “Change Management” process for the department, ensuring all changes made are justified, documented and communicated to all required personnel.
• Compare routine production forecasts on daily and monthly basis.
• Ensure all processing staff are made aware of product quality requirements, by developing systems and providing the necessary training.
• Diagnose production constraints, implement plans to remove or reduce the constraint and set long term improvement plans.
• Implementation of process control strategies necessary for optimization of unit operations to meet or exceed targets.
• Drive continuous improvement projects including the application for capital projects which have been researched and tested and which make good financial sense.
• Initiate surveys and laboratory test works to investigate potential improvements in grade and recovery in the processing plant or potential reductions to operating or transportation costs. Ensuring appropriate reporting is delivered at regular intervals throughout a project’s duration.
• Liaising with Technical Services with regards to changes in ore quality and test work on longer term ore sources.
• Continuous development of  the metallurgy staff
• Coordinate with industry professionals to test, improve and implement the best technology for the processing plant.

Reporting

• Communicate progress and results through use of Gnatt charts and formal reports/presentation.
• Responsible for accuracy and quality of all metallurgical reports
• Cost reporting, forecast reports, monthly summary reports and other reports as required by management

Management

• Lead the efforts of instilling a strong environmental, safety and health culture, in all actions. Conduct any necessary audits, report and resolve any incidents actions identified.
• Ensure “competency training & development” plans are in place for all staff and followed. Report on progress.
• Identify training needs and external providers to improve competencies of staff in their Personal Development Plans.
• Mentor of senior metallurgists, production and metallurgy metallurgists, development metallurgists and metallurgical laboratory
• Act in place of the Process Plant Manager as and when required

Qualifications:

• BSc in Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering, or equivalent is essential
• Membership of a recognized international Processing or Chemical professional organization is desirable.

Knowledge and Experience:

• 10+ years relevant process related metallurgy experience
• 5+ years Base Metal flotation
• Gold processing and metallurgy experience a plus
• Statistical analysis and continuous improvement experience
• Comprehension of basic cost statements and budget preparation
• Process control development skills experience desirable

Technical Skills

• Strong computer Literacy (MS Office)
• Understanding relevant policies
• Attention to detail
• Analytical skills (metallurgical systems & accounting)
• Safety and environmental skills
• Problem solving skill
• Metallurgical/Chemical experience
• Process Modeling skills

Behavioral Skills

• Communication (English )
• Interpersonal Relations
• Integrity
• Prioritizing skills & multi-skilling
• Ability to work towards strict deadlines
• High level of accuracy
• Discretion
• Self-motivation
• Sense of urgency
• Coaching and mentoring
• Visible leadership
• Team oriented