Metallurgical Process Engineer (B. Tech: Chemical Engineering) – Ref: 944230 – Enshrine Candidate Marketing

Discipline: Chemical Engineering (B. Tech) Industry in: Mining (Metal ore, ferrous & non-ferrous) / Water Treatment / Paper & Pulp. Years of experience range: 16 to 20 years. Annual package range: R 751 000 – 850 000, per annum. Gender: Male. Ethnicity: Indian. Nationality: South African.

Accomplished and highly competent Process Engineer with diverse skills acquired through demanding roles in industries from pyro metallurgy, to water treatment and pulp & paper. Over 15 years of successfully overcoming challenges and delivering impactful results. Background includes projects and operations work that delivers significant value to large organisations. Experienced at supervision of direct reports and the coaching and mentoring of technicians and graduates. Demonstrated experience includes the management of intricate processes and improving process performance through continuous optimization. Strengths include the ability to learn and adapt quickly, provide innovative solutions to problems and get things done. Fosters a productive environment through proven leadership skills and is passionate about leading by example. Valuable team player who promotes genuine people engagement and displays integrity at all times. Functions equally well within cross-discipline teams as well as independently. His strong inter-personal and communication abilities enables him to work with people from diverse backgrounds at different levels.

A brief career outline:

• Water treatment: Involved in the development of pilot-scale water treatment technologies.
• Pulp & Paper: Started as an Operator, promoted to a Production Technician and finally a Production Supervisor. Provided technical support to operations and assisted the Process Engineer with chemical trials, process optimization and the updating of PFD’s, P&ID’s and SOP’s.
• Mining & metallurgy: As Engineer-Process Control & Improvement, I played a pivotal role in providing process support and risk management to the plant. Developed technical expertise in pyro metallurgy, statistical process management and process optimization. Responsible for upholding HSECQ principles and providing coaching and mentoring to junior staff. As Metallurgical Process Engineer. Played a key role in the successful implementation of a new magnetic separation technology which improved yield, recovery and efficiency.

Candidate location:                              South Africa

Home & other languages:                   English

Designation:                                           Process Engineer (Senior / Lead / Principal / Chief)

Highest qualification type:                 B.Tech

University:                                              Durban University of Technology

Company size:                                        10001 +

Division:                                                   Manufacturing / Production / Plant / Producing Commodities

Seniority level:                                       Degreed Engineer – Junior / Lead / Senior / Principal / Chief

Gender:                                                   Male

Ethnicity:                                                 Indian

Nationality:                                            South African

Highest Formal Qualification:           B. Tech: Chemical Engineering

Current / most recent job title?        Metallurgical Process Engineer

Primary purpose of current/most recent position:

Provides technical expertise to improve process efficiencies, yields and recoveries.
Evaluates metallurgical processes and sampling practices to improve the robustness of systems, procedures and operating practices.
Leverages the application of appropriate new technologies to ensure continuous process optimisation.
Supervises the activities, standards of performance and behavior of subordinates (metallurgical assistants).
Trouble-shoots process excursions to quickly stabilise the process and ensure product quality meets customer specifications.
Strategizes production targets and metallurgical controls to ensure compliance with product specification and customer requirements.
Contributes to the planning and overseeing of shut work to ensure quick, safe turn-around time.
Assumes control of trial campaigns and process development work in the area.
Assumes operational and metallurgical control of specified plants for major project installations and commissioning work.
Responsible for all technical decisions taken concerning the Roaster and Char plant and responsible for best practices in operation of both plants.
Assists in developing training material and standard operating procedures for production staff and technical staff.
Completely responsible for ensuring the integrity of metallurgical accounting processes and data, which is reported on a regular basis to track the plant performance.

Description of self, along with greater purpose and passions:

I pride myself on being a fast learner, adaptable, and a person who thrives under pressure. I am constantly seeking new challenges and mastering new skills. The words of Leonardo Da Vinci echo in my mind: “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” I believe that this quote distills what is truly important when it comes to being a professional. To make the difficult look easy because you have mastered it.

Ideal business title: 

Process Superintendent

Key responsibilities and accountabilities of ideal position:

I view the Superintendent as being the glue which binds different components together, that being operations, engineering, metallurgy and safety. As the superintendent I must take responsibility for all aspects of the area and I have a set of KPI’s to deliver on. I am responsible for strategizing the best means to achieve those KPI’s and my team are responsible for the execution of those strategies. It is imperative that I forge strong, productive interfaces with engineering, maintenance and safety to ensure that we execute the plan safely and efficiently, realising and if possible exceeding our targets in all respects.

Skill area of competence:

A constructive team member who contributes practically to the success of the team.
Able to build trust and credibility with colleagues and managers by delivering on commitments.
Prioritizes and deals effectively with a number of tasks simultaneously.
Evaluates situations, develops solutions and considers their impact on the organization.
Interacts well with people at all levels of the organization and from diverse backgrounds.
Manages, develops and motivates subordinates by fostering a healthy team climate.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. Connects superbly with people.

Career summary:

Mining and metallurgy – 11 years
Pulp & Paper – 4 years
Water treatment – 1 year

Achievements: 

MINING & METALLUTGY
Volunteered to steer a key project through the implementation & commissioning phase. The project has been a major success, improving Roaster yield by 2%, equivalent to a savings of R24M per annum in increased recovery
Helped implement Residual Calculation Factor networks on Iron Injection recipes to optimize reagent efficiencies
Changed the technique of casting molten metal to improve metal flow characteristics, reducing spillage and increasing iron yield

MINING & METALLUTGY
Instrumental in recovering the reduction pot-lines during crisis D257 (years 2011 – 2012) Ensured the plant returned to full production capacity before deadline
During the crisis, electrolytic cells experienced severe thermal excursions which would have led to explosions, possibly killing people. Using extensive data analysis, I proactively identified and decommissioned; sick; electrolytic cells to prevent a catastrophe
Prevented a catastrophic incident by acting decisively to shut down the pot-line when an electrolytic cell spiralled out of control during a highly sensitive and dangerous operation
Deeply involved in the successful installation and commissioning of a new vibro-compactor at the Hillside paste plant which enabled cost savings of R2M a year by improved anode quality
Volunteered and became an integral member of the project team that successfully de-bottlenecked the bath plant, helping the company achieve R4M a year in savings
A key member of the commissioning team that rolled out the new ALPSYS control system, which enabled better process control; thereby increasing metal production volume and quality
Developed a thermal regulation model to successfully predict the bath temperature and superheat in an electrolytic cell based on changes in the bath composition and aluminium trifluoride concentration. This enabled better process control and metal quality

PULP & PAPER
Successfully trailed an alternative, cheaper cloth material for the pulp belt washer which provided better drainage and pulp formation, reducing fibre losses
Involved in a pilot scale study to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing biological methods to treat raw water; a project which showed great promise as an alternative means of producing process water

What do you absolutely love doing?

I love applying my extensive range of skills to difficult challenges and acquiring new skills in uncharted waters.

I want to work for a company that champions the development and growth of it’s people by providing an exciting and challenging environment whilst also recognising and rewarding exceptional performance. A company that espouses transparency, diversity, innovation, fairness and dynamism.

Motivation to move (please select): Career growth

Location Preference: I am open to positions internationally.

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