Job Detail

Job Description

As a key member of the Enterprise, the Superintendent Nickel Processing is accountable for the operating strategy and efficient operation of the crushing (primary & pebble), conveying, milling, classification, flotation and concentrate thickening operations of the Process Plant to maximise production and minimise costs, while ensuring operational sustainability; The role has a focus on daily-monthly optimisation. More precisely, the timeline of the role is organised around two stages:

• Prepare the current brownfield plant operational readiness (processing strategies, systems, staffing, skills development, commissioning support) and support the transition into operations.
• Longer term operation of the Nickel plant during pre-commercial production and commercial production phases.

Specific Job Responsibility

• Understand and execute accountabilities of legal appointment under Zambian Mining Regulations;
• The role has equipment and operations personnel accountability from the 2x crushers to the flotation tails pumps and concentrate storage tank;
• Maintain HSE standards and ensure strict compliance within the nickel plant;
• Ensure all Safety and Environmental incidents are addressed & reported promptly;
• Maintain a very high standard of plant housekeeping;
• Build the operational readiness plan for the processing function of the nickel value chain and ensure its integration with upstream, downstream and support functions;
• Implement the structure, manning levels and resources to deliver to enable the operational readiness and smooth transition into operations;
• Closely follow-up on the completion and commissioning phases of the brownfield plant to align to it operational readiness activities and operations.
• Ensure change and knowledge management systems are in place during the operational readiness phase and aligned with plant operations.
• Oversee daily to monthly operations and metallurgical activities of the plant and personnel to ensure optimised plant utilization and metallurgical performance;
• Consistently deliver and exceed the main KPI’s of plant throughput, product quality and yield in a safe, efficient and cost effective manner;
• Monitor, control and report on performance indicators, plant activities and operational shortfalls;
• Manage, track and report continuous improvement activities to deliver improved operational and metallurgical performance;
• Ensure high availability and utilisation of critical in-line instrumentation;
• Develop and nurture strong relationships with all stakeholders on the nickel value chain, inclusive of mining to enable a strong mine-to-mill integration; Build a ‘team’ environment with geology, mine planning, maintenance, maintenance planning, reliability engineering, R&D metallurgical engineering, process control, business optimisation, data systems, utilities and services operations, and operations personnel; Take ownership in developing these interactions to the benefit of the team and the operation.
• Ensure the diagnosis of plant defects is conducted, focusing on identifying root cause, and then the implementation of both corrective and preventative measures;
• Approve weekly and monthly maintenance plans;
• Ensure both short and long term equipment plans and schedules (both maintenance and production tasks) are in place to deliver equipment capability; Support maintenance in the delivery of their tasks and equipment reliability;
• Define, prioritise, obtain approval for and implement capital improvement projects;
• Lead the nickel processing team, composed of expatriates and nationals, to consistently deliver and exceed expectations;
• Maintain staff development and training programs, particularly skills transfer and coaching to the national staff;
• Identify and actively manage succession planning for key roles;
• Contribute to the quarterly and annual operations production budget/forecasts; Prepare the annual operations budget and provide quarterly forecasts;
• Control, report and reduce operational costs;
• Implement FQM Way culture across Comminution team – “Smarter, Bolder, Driven, Together;”
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the direct supervisor.

Job Specific Competencies

• Significant experience in a complex base metals processing plant(s);
• Preferably experienced in nickel circuits; copper experience is beneficial.
• Exposure to minerals processing plant design or metallurgical optimisation.
• Computer literacy and English language fluency are required.
• Being conversant with modern data management and visualisation tools, such as PowerBi, is beneficial.

Key Job Attributes

• Strong commitment to SHEC performance;
• Strong ability to task assign, build working relations and coordinate different operating disciplines to create a multidisciplinary “team” environment;
• Excellent cognitive and analytical skills for identifying process shortfalls, equipment bottlenecks and implementing corrective and preventative action plans;

Experience Required to Perform in This Job

• A minimum of 10 years of direct experience in operational roles, with particular focus on comminution and flotation;
• A minimum of 5 years’ experience at a Senior Supervisory or Management;

Qualifications

• A Tertiary Qualification in Extractive Metallurgy, Mineral Processing or related field;
• Eligibility for membership of the Engineering Institute of Zambia (EIZ), and to hold legal appointment as defined by the Mining Regulations of Zambia.
  
  
  *Please note you have to apply to this job advert as directed by the employer and not through findershub.co.zm*

Skills Required

• English Fluency
• Communication skills
• Analytical skills and a good eye for detail