Commissioning Metallurgist / Process Engineer (Operability Lead), Pretoria

200TPH Hard-Rock Processing Plant | Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Location: Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) – Site / Project Based

Industry: Mining | Gold | Mineral Processing | Metallurgy

About the Opportunity

Our client is a mining development platform focused on transforming artisanal gold regions into structured industrial production systems across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The company is currently advancing the development of a 200TPH hard-rock mineral processing plant, now entering a critical engineering and execution phase transitioning from conceptual design into fabrication-ready engineering, commissioning preparation, operational readiness, and plant ramp-up.

As part of a specialist Core Design Triad, the business seeks to appoint an experienced Commissioning Metallurgist / Process Engineer (Operability Lead) to lead commissioning, plant start-up, operational optimisation, and operator capability development through to stable production.

This role is ideal for a highly practical metallurgical professional with proven success in bringing hard-rock mineral processing plants into production, rather than purely technical or theoretical design experience.

Key Responsibilities

Plant Commissioning & Start-Up

• Lead commissioning and plant start-up activities for a 200TPH hard-rock gold processing plant.
• Develop commissioning strategies, execution plans, and operational readiness frameworks.
• Ensure successful transition from engineering and installation into production.

Process Optimisation & Operational Readiness

• Define plant operating parameters and optimisation strategies.
• Monitor plant performance against metallurgical and recovery targets.
• Optimise throughput, recovery, and operational efficiency.

Troubleshooting & Metallurgical Support

• Diagnose and resolve operational and metallurgical performance issues.
• Conduct troubleshooting across crushing, milling, gravity recovery, flotation, and gold recovery systems.
• Support continuous operational improvement initiatives.

Training & Leadership

• Develop operator training manuals and operating procedures.
• Train plant operators, supervisors, and operational teams.
• Build operational capability and ensure plant teams are prepared for steady-state production.

Reporting & Performance Monitoring

• Produce commissioning and ramp-up performance reports.
• Conduct metallurgical accounting and recovery performance tracking.
• Provide operational readiness assessments and improvement recommendations.

Minimum Requirements & Qualifications

• Degree in Metallurgy, Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline
• Strong plant operations and commissioning background
• Proven hard-rock mineral processing experience
• Demonstrated success in commissioning and operational ramp-up of mineral processing plants
• Proven African mining start-up exposure
• Prior DRC or Central African mining experience
• Experience in:
  • Operational optimisation
  • Metallurgical accounting
  • Recovery improvement strategies
  • Commissioning and operational readiness
• Strong leadership and operator training capability

Essential Requirements

The successful candidate must demonstrate:

• Proven delivery of operational mining plants (not theoretical-only design)
• Hands-on engineering and plant execution experience
• Prior DRC or Central African mining exposure
• Ability to operate in remote, fast-paced project environments
• Practical, execution-focused mindset
• Strong leadership and cross-cultural capability

Key Deliverables

• Commissioning plans and procedures
• Operator training manuals
• Performance optimisation reports
• Operational readiness assessments
• Ramp-up performance reports
• Recovery optimisation recommendations

Contract Conditions

• Willingness to work in remote mining environments
• Ability to mobilise to the DRC project site as required
• Strong field leadership and stakeholder engagement capability
• Compliance with all project HSE requirements

Remuneration

Market Related Salary

Why Join?

This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in commissioning and operationalising a 200TPH hard-rock gold processing plant in the DRC, helping move the operation from engineering into sustained production. You will be instrumental in defining operational performance, metallurgical recovery, and plant stability in a high-growth mining development environment.

Interested?

Apply online

Brought to you by AGC Mining Recruitment

. Skillset Required: Commissioning Metallurgist, Process Engineer, Metallurgist, Mineral Processing, Hard Rock Mining, Gold Processing, Plant Commissioning, Metallurgical Accounting, Recovery Optimisation, Process Optimisation, Gold Recovery, Plant Start-Up, Operational Readiness, Mining Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, Process Plant, Commissioning Engineer, Ramp-Up, Mineral Processing Engineer, DRC Mining, Africa Mining, Metallurgical Performance, Operator Training, Troubleshooting, Crushing, Milling, Gravity Recovery, Flotation, Plant Operations