Principal Specialist Metallurgy

POSITION: Principal Specialist Metallurgy

LOCATION: Johannesburg

JOB GRADING: E Lower

Role Details

Gold Fields seeks a Principal Specialist Metallurgy to join the Processing/Metallurgy corporate technical team. Reporting to the Vice President Metallurgy & Processing, this role will provide metallurgical technical support and services to the operations, to ensure technical planning; profitable and safe achievement; and continuous improvement of metallurgical targets and deliverables through the application of technical expertise and experience, coupled with the employment of advanced test work and analysis. This South African-based position would focus on technical support for the Africa-based assets, currently operating in South Africa and Ghana.

Key responsibilities include:

• Provide general metallurgical / processing technical support to the operations, including regular visits to the sites
• Assist and support the graduate metallurgist training and mentoring programs.
• Facilitate and support technical training and development programs for the operation’s metallurgists and processing staff.
• Support the drafting, establishment, implementation, and follow-up auditing of relevant technical standards for Gold Fields’ metallurgical and processing functions.
• Provide leadership and guidance to support Gold Fields’ continued adherence to the International Cyanide Management Code. Assist with undertaking audits and appropriate enlistment of external expertise when needed.
• Lead and oversee Gold Fields’ metallurgical accounting processes, ensuring consistent and accurate reporting and reconciliation.
• Support the global processing data collation and visualization program, analyse metallurgical information in pursuit of both compliance with the plan and ongoing improvement: look for opportunities to employ BI processes or justify the installation of upgraded equipment or methods, including innovations and new technology.
• Stay abreast of and, where appropriate, participate in relevant research.
• Provide technical input to proposals for, and assessments of, relevant studies and capital project proposals, and for post-investment reviews.
• Coordinate mill surveys and associated work to assess crushing and grinding efficiency, with the aim of optimizing throughput and energy consumption.
• Assist assets in implementing new systems and processes, and commission new projects.
• Contribute technical advice and guidance for Mineral Resources and Reserves reporting processes, strategic and business planning, and business development opportunities.

Key factors to your success include:

• Relevant bachelor’s degree in metallurgical/chemical engineering or equivalent.
• A relevant postgraduate degree in a related technical discipline OR a proven track record in managing and optimizing operations, preferably in more than one commodity.
• Minimum of 15 years’ experience in processing optimisation.
• Demonstrated experience in a senior processing production leadership role within a technical environment, managing workload and reviewing the work of others to ensure consistency with task requirements.
• Knowledge of ICMI’s Cyanide Code and ideally experience with Cyanide Code compliance preparations and auditing.
• Knowledge of metallurgical testwork and survey procedures, including experience with gravity and gold leaching tests.
• Knowledge of leading practices and technologies applied in the mineral processing disciplines.
• Familiar with global research activities in the processing discipline.
• Project management skills and knowledge.
• Experience working in multiple international jurisdictions and across disciplines (e.g., working with plant maintenance/engineering, geology, and mine engineering teams).

Closing Date for Applications: 10 June 2025

Applications can be submitted via SuccessFactors.