Candidate location: South Africa, Gauteng
Home & other languages: English, Afrikaans, German
Designation: Metallurgical Engineer (Senior / Lead / Principal / Chief)
Highest qualification type: Degree
University: University of Pretoria
Discipline: Chemical Engineering
Years of experience: More than 10 years
Cost to company: R1.55 mil – R1.8 mil
Company size: 10001 +
Division: Engineering / Design
Seniority level: Manager / Dept Head / Lead /Senior / Principal Engineer
Introduction:
Objective-driven Senior Process Engineering professional with ability to lead and manage an engineering project team to successfully complete projects and studies in the process engineering industry. Over 24 years’ experience in projects covering a wide range of commodities and industries. A strong focus on service delivery and client satisfaction. Seeking opportunity with an EPCM company or Operator employer that requires a dynamic and committed process principal.
Gender: Male
Ethnicity: Caucasian/White
Nationality: South African
Highest Formal Qualification: B.Eng (Chem)
What is your current/ most recent job title?
Chief Metallurgical Engineer
What is the primary purpose of this position?
Establish a Minerals and Metals division. Implement systems and standards unique to the industry. Provide discipline support on projects and proposals. Provide business development support to the BD Manager and General Manager. Grow the process engineering team and ensure that all team members are suitably trained and skilled.
What are the core elements or functions that must operate effectively in order for you to achieve your primary purpose?
In-depth knowledge of metallurgical process and unit operations. Thorough understanding of process chemistry. Knowledge of project phases and design processes. Ability to co-ordinate multi-disciplinary teams and provide leadership. Ability to interact with and manage clients. Ability to represent the process engineering discipline during all phases of projects and proposals. Take overall responsibility for a sound process engineering design.
What are some of your greatest achievements (When and how have you saved your employers time, money and resources)?
1. Completion of Anglo Platinum’s rhodium facility in Rustenburg. Live commissioning was completed in two weeks’ time. The client could process all current and backlogged feed to the plant. Sales from the plant in the first month of production equalled the CAPEX for the facility. 2. Development of the Gold One gold/uranium project. My efforts eventually convinced the client to award the contract to my employer. This will likely lead to further work in future. This was achieved through dedicated and professional support of the client’s efforts. The project is key to the recovery of gold and uranium from tailings facilities around Johannesburg. 3. Completion of the first MRT pilot plant in South Africa. The developed technology was eventually implemented in the client’s new refinery. The technology shortened the client’s pipeline and improved first pass recoveries. 4. Completion of a Rare Earths study within time and budget in spite of severe delays in obtaining samples and test work programmes. Negotiated with owners of the resource to obtain access to the material for testing. This was critical to completion of the study, which would otherwise not have been possible. This project was of strategic importance to the country in question.
If you were to illuminate your skills and abilities along with your greater purpose and passions in life, how would you describe yourself?
Objective-driven Senior Process Engineering professional with ability to lead and manage an engineering project team to successfully complete projects and studies in the process engineering industry. A strong focus on service delivery and client satisfaction. Adheres to strict codes of professional and ethical conduct, demands accountablity at all levels. Seeking opportunity with an employer that requires a dynamic and committed process principal.
What is the business title of your ideal position?
Chief Process Engineer, Chief Metallurgical Engineer, Chief Metallurgist or Process Engineering Manager.
What are the key responsibilities and accountabilities of your ideal position?
Overall accountability for a process engineering division, including project support, development of technical skills, training, systems and standards implementation and maintenance, business development support and client management.
What are the manufacturing processes/ technologies that you have experience in relevant to your ideal position/ next career steps?
Commodities: Platinum group metals, Gold, Uranium, Cobalt, Rare Earths, Explosives, Oil refining, fine chemicals, industrial chemicals. Unit operations: Solvent extraction, Ion Exchange, Molecular Recognition Technology, Resin In Pulp, Electro-winning, elution plants, precipitation, filtration, crystallisation, atmospheric – , heap – and pressure leaching, pumping of liquids and slurries, agitation, various heat transfer processes, flare systems, ventilation systems, control systems, hydraulic and pneumatic networks. Related skills: Test work and process development, resource estimation, tailings disposal, HAZOP studies, CAPEX and OPEX generation. Project/Study management. Software: MS Office, AFT suite of simulators, Aspen Basic Engineering.
Describe your career in years of experience per sector/industry/commodity serviced:
PGM Refining: 8 years
Petrochemical: 3 years
Gold and Uranium: 5years
Rare earths: 18 months
Cobalt: 1 year.
Ferrochrome: 6 months.
Explosives: 6 months.
Fine chemicals: 18 months
Industrial chemicals: 18 months.
Describe the kind of company you would like to work for including the culture and values it should possess:
Dynamic EPCM or operator that values innovative thinking, professional and ethical codes of conduct, accountability, integrity and commitment. Strong service delivery focus.
What do you absolutely love doing?
Breaking new ground, finding solutions for challenging problems, providing leadership, strategic thinking and planning.
Motivation to move (please select): End of contract
Location Preference: I am open to positions both nationally and internationally.