Head of Metallurgy (Gold Processing / CIL / Metallurgical Laboratory / Assay Management / QAQC) - Zambia

Our client, a prominent mining company operating a gold and copper mining and processing site in Southern Africa, is seeking an experienced Head of Metallurgy to lead metallurgical operations, laboratory management, and process optimization initiatives across its processing facilities. The successful candidate will play a critical role in ensuring metallurgical excellence, assay accuracy, laboratory integrity, and continuous improvement of plant performance to maximize gold recovery and support production targets. Responsibilities: - Lead and manage the on-site metallurgical laboratory, ensuring accurate and timely assays of gold samples including feed, tails, carbon, solution, and bullion. - Implement and enforce strict QA/QC protocols, sample handling procedures, and equipment calibration standards. - Supervise assay technicians, laboratory chemists, and metallurgical personnel, providing coaching, mentoring, and performance management. - Oversee and validate fire assay, AAS/ICP, and wet chemistry analytical processes. - Ensure laboratory results meet required accuracy, precision, and reporting standards. - Oversee end-to-end operations of the CIL gold processing plant, including leaching, adsorption, elution, electrowinning, and gold recovery processes. - Monitor plant performance and drive continuous improvement through metallurgical test work, reagent optimization, and process audits. - Support metallurgical accounting functions and reconcile laboratory assay results with production and plant performance data. - Identify opportunities to improve recovery, throughput, operational efficiency, and cost performance. - Manage metallurgical test work programs including recovery optimization studies, grindability assessments, process investigations, and pilot plant trials. - Ensure timely reporting of metallurgical performance metrics, laboratory data, recovery trends, and operational KPIs. - Coordinate specialized testing, audits, and technical reviews with external laboratories, consultants, and auditors. - Maintain technical documentation, metallurgical reports, and laboratory quality records. - Lead and develop multidisciplinary teams including metallurgists, laboratory personnel, and process control specialists. - Ensure compliance with all health, safety, environmental, and laboratory standards and regulations. - Contribute to operational budgeting and forecasting for laboratory equipment, reagents, consumables, and metallurgical projects. - Promote technical knowledge transfer, succession planning, and continuous development of local personnel. Requirements: Qualification and Skill - Degree in Metallurgy, Mineral Processing, Chemistry, or a related discipline. - Minimum 12 years' experience within gold processing operations. - At least 5 years' experience managing both metallurgical laboratory functions and CIL gold plant operations. - Extensive hands-on experience in assay laboratory management and implementation of analytical QA/QC systems. - Strong knowledge of ISO 17025 laboratory standards. - Proven experience with fire assay techniques, AAS/ICP instrumentation, and classical wet chemistry methods. - Sound understanding of metallurgical accounting, reconciliation processes, and performance reporting. - Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and metallurgical data analysis. - Experience working within African mining operations or remote site environments. - Demonstrated leadership experience in establishing, upgrading, or optimizing metallurgical laboratories. - Proven ability to mentor technical teams and develop local talent. Benefits and Contractual Information - Residential or FIFO option available. - Permanent contract (subject to work permit renewal). - Competitive remuneration package aligned with experience and qualifications.