Lead Metallurgist - Kings Mountain Project - Albemarle : Job Details

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Job Description

Role Summary

Due to internal promotion, Albemarle is hiring for an experienced metallurgist to join our Kings Mountain Project team on this major lithium growth project. The Lead Metallurgist will be responsible for designing future metallurgical test programs and reviewing past and ongoing metallurgical testing programs, data interpretation, flowsheet design, and incorporation of results into the overall feasibility study in cooperation with internal and external stakeholders. The planned concentrator facilities will utilize a wide range of processing techniques, including ore sorting, DMS, grinding, and multiple flotation circuits. The project is an advanced stage open pit mine with a multi-decade resource base, located in Kings Mountain, North Carolina, and progressing through the various study phases with the goal of entering into execution phase at the completion of the study. It is one of the few hard rock lithium mining projects in the United States and offers an exceptional career growth opportunity to design and build a large mining and processing facility in close proximity to a major metropolitan area. Kings Mountain is a charming and vibrant area located less than 45 minutes from downtown Charlotte, North Carolina.

Once in execution stage, the role will transition to leading the metallurgy department and the implementation, commissioning, and optimization of the concentrator and leading technical teams in safely producing quality lithium concentrate. Areas of responsibility would include managing all metallurgical and assay laboratory services for crushing plants, DMS separation plant, grinding, flotation, solid/liquid separation, and tailings facilities - ensuring all safety and production targets and final concentrate specifications are achieved. This is a highly technical role with visibility across senior leadership and will be integral to the ongoing success of the project.

This position is part of Albemarle's lithium resources organization team directly reporting to Manager - Concentrator Operation and Readiness, Kings Mountain Lithium project. The position is based at our Kings Mountain, North Carolina location

Primary Responsibilities Include:

Project Studies

Development and implementation of metallurgical accounting for the site, including sampling strategy and flows characterization

Review the concentrator design criteria and flowsheet, assist to develop an overall integrated operational readiness plan for the concentrator and ensure there are adequate detailed supporting schedules for technical services and construction teams

Develop, oversee, review, & coordinate geometallurgical programs and testing with geologists, mining engineers and metallurgists for optimizing the metallurgical performance for continuous improvement and sustainability

Support ore characterization and build an understanding of its potential impact on plant design and performance

Evaluate potential for by-products to be generated on site from mid process streams.

Help build the foundation for the process performance monitoring strategy to be set up at the new concentrator

Operational readiness and operation:

Assist the Manager, Concentrator Operations and Readiness, to develop the overall planning, execution, and reporting of operational readiness activities, including recruiting metallurgists, assay lab technicians, systems implementation, policies development and training

Working closely with concentrator operation superintendent to develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), optimum operating parameters and metallurgical reports to support the concentrator ramp-up that are sustainable and aligned with best practices in the mining industry

Collaborate in the development of the schedule for plant technical services personnel to successfully support the commissioning and ramp up when custody and control from the projects group is transferred to the operations

Responsible for building and training the assay lab team and implementing the QA/QC processes to ensure assay lab quality and business sustainability

Responsible for daily metallurgical balance, reporting and end of month production reconciliation.

Develop and manage department annual budgets and quarterly forecasts

Develop, implement and maintain safe work procedures and ensure compliance with mine site safety standards

Work closely with maintenance department for improving the fixed plant asset efficiency for continuous improvement on the daily concentrator throughput once in operation

After the concentrator is commissioned, oversee the metallurgical research and development program for Kings Mountain concentrator ensuring new and innovative ideas are transferred and realized for maximum benefit

Skills and Competencies:

Strong analytical skills with details oriented with a practical understanding of mineral processing operations

Advanced knowledge in mineral processing and best-in-class operation practices

Solid knowledge of mineralogy, ore characterization, and geometallurgy

Experience with metallurgical testing, flowsheet development, equipment selection and sizing

Experience in the safety management of processing plants and associated facilities

Strong leadership skills and ability to create a positive work environment, ability to supervise diverse teams including metallurgists, supervisors, and lab technicians and mentor junior employees

Excellent project management skills, ability to drive results through proper planning and scheduling

Ability to build and support a high-performance team of metallurgists through leading by example and initiative, continuous learning, and coaching.

Operational excellence experiences with Six Sigma, Lean Kaizen, and continuous improvements approach

Excellent verbal and written communications skills

Digital Transformation knowledge, Artificial Intelligence applied to Value Chain Processes

Experience, Qualifications & Education:

Bachelor's degree in metallurgical engineering, mineral processing or chemical engineering required

10 years of progressive metallurgical experience in a mining/minerals processing setting

Experience in designing and review of test programs to support flow sheet design and optimization

Experience in start-up and commissioning of new equipment and/or facilities

Minimum 5 years of experience in the operation of metallurgical & assay lab facilities

Demonstrated ability to predict and make concentrate production forecasts and meet final concentrate specifications.

Practical knowledge concerning design and operation of common process equipment such as crushers, ball mills, screens, flotation, slurry filtering, pumps, blowers, heat exchangers, thickeners, tailings facilities, piping, etc.

Demonstrated ability to anticipate technical needs, drive metallurgical test work to make recommendations for process improvement changes based on data analysis.

Experience in training and coaching direct staff and contractors in safety processes and procedures, ensuring compliance to all applicable protocols and regulations

Knowledge of Metallurgical accounting best practices

Knowledge of mining safety regulations

Ability to effectively communicate with employees at all levels

Must be self-motivated and with a demonstrated ability of leading by example to motivate others

Experience in the preparation of capital and operating budgets

Familiar with concentrator automation and advance process control systems

Remote operations centers experience is a plus

Knowledge of the storage, handling and use of reagents and minimize the risks associated with reagents

Lithium mineral processing experience is a plus

#LI-JH2

Benefits of Joining Albemarle

• Competitive compensation

• Comprehensive benefits package

• A diverse array of resources to support you professionally and personally.

We are partners to one another in pioneering new ways to be better for ourselves, our teams, and our communities. When you join Albemarle, you become our most essential element and you can anticipate competitive compensation, a comprehensive benefits package, and resources that foster your well-being and fuel your personal growth. Help us shape the future, build with purpose and grow together.