Title:  Manager Concentrate Leach Plant

What You Will Do

This position will manage a Pressure Oxidation plant that processes copper sulfide concentrate in order to produce sulfuric acid for heap leaching operations and copper cathode by hydrometallurgical means. The role is accountable for safe plant operation, metallurgical performance, and production outcomes.

• Manage the day-to-day operation of the Concentrate Leach facility in order to safely optimize economic copper production.
• Ensure that SOPs (Safe Operating Practices) are in place for all major tasks and that all personnel have been appropriately trained and understand the tasks assigned to them.
• Teach all plant personnel to recognize risks and take appropriate actions. Ensure that effective controls are in place to mitigate all identified critical risks.

• Ensure that maintenance schedules are appropriate, that Safe Operating Practices are correct and up to date for all maintenance tasks.
• Ensure that all plant personnel understand the basic metallurgical principles that govern pressure oxidation and can use this knowledge for safe and efficient plant operation.
• Coordinate with the Mine and Concentrator departments to understand changes in the mineralogy of Concentrate Leach plant feed.

• Coordinate with Oxygen plant personnel regarding plant operating schedule and oxygen needs.
• Coordinate with the Leaching and Hydromet departments with regard to Concentrate Leach acid and copper production targets and provide foresight regarding potential disruptions.

• Prepare and adhere to quarterly and annual budgets.
• Prepare fund-request justifications for plant upgrades.
• Become a subject-matter-expert in copper sulfide pressure leaching and build a team with a strong understanding of the technology and it’s potential future benefits.

What You Bring To Freeport

• Bachelor’s degree and ten (10) years of metallurgical plant operational experience, including supervisory or management experience.
• Extensive knowledge of copper Smelting, Hydrometallurgical and Leaching operations, including the thermodynamic and kinetic principles that are the foundation of these technologies.
• Knowledge of mining and mineral processing technology, specifically the impacts of copper, iron, and gangue mineralogy on processing operations.
• Leadership skills, including supervising, evaluating, training and motivating employees.
• Ability to plan, prioritize, direct and manage a diverse number of operational areas, projects and activities.
• Skilled in preparing, defending, monitoring, and administering budgets.
• Ability to develop and maintain awareness of occupational hazards and safety precautions. Demonstrated ability to place and maintain effective controls for risk management.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing in English.
• Experience in using advanced analytical and problem-solving skills to overcome obstacles and meet production targets.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in Metallurgical Engineering or Chemical Engineering.
• Experience in sulfide oxidation processes, such as smelting or pressure oxidation operations.
• Experience with pressure oxidation and/or autoclave operations and a thorough understanding of the associated risks and risk management processes.
• Experience with plant maintenance, including adhering to maintenance schedules.
• Strong understanding of autoclave safety.
• Use of thermodynamic modeling software.

• Experience managing complex processing plants with multiple unit operations. Understanding of copper and iron sulfide mineralogy and the impacts of mineralogy on metallurgical processing operations.