Plant Manager

The Plant Manager is responsible for planning, directing, and managing all activities of the gold processing plant to ensure safe, efficient, and cost-effective production. The role includes leadership of plant operations, maintenance, metallurgical performance, health and safety, environmental compliance, quality assurance, budgeting, and workforce development.

Nicolor®, the largest privately owned gold processing facility in South Africa, is part of a dynamic Family Office Group of Companies. Established in the 1950s, the plant has grown into a leading operation in the gold processing industry, serving diverse partners across the mining value chain. The organization is committed to supporting junior miners and entrepreneurs in environmental rehabilitation and secondary material precious metals processing.

Private ownership enables agile decision-making and efficient processing of ore materials from multiple sources. Nicolor® is driven by values of empowerment, enablement, and sustainable growth, with a strong focus on developing future-ready skills among young professionals in South Africa.

• Bachelor's degree in metallurgical engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mining Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Management qualification (MBA or equivalent) is an advantage.
• Professional registration with a recognized engineering council is desirable.

• 8-15 years of experience in mineral processing or gold processing operations.
• At least 5 years in a management or supervisory role within a gold processing plant.
• Experience with CIL/CIP, crushing, milling, elution, electrowinning, smelting, and tailings management.
• Proven experience managing large multidisciplinary teams.

• Strong leadership and decision-making skills.
• Excellent knowledge of gold processing operations and metallurgical principles.
• Budgeting and financial management.
• Production planning and scheduling.
• Maintenance management.
• Health, Safety, and Environmental compliance.
• Problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Computer proficiency (Microsoft Office, ERP systems, SCADA/DCS, CMMS).

• Manage the daily operation of the gold processing plant, including crushing, milling, gravity concentration, flotation (where applicable), leaching (CIL/CIP), elution, electrowinning, smelting, and tailings disposal.
• Ensure production targets are achieved in accordance with business objectives.
• Monitor plant performance and optimize throughput, recovery, and operating costs.
• Develop and implement production schedules.
• Minimize plant downtime through effective planning and coordination.

• Promote and maintain a strong safety culture throughout the plant.
• Ensure compliance with all mining regulations, occupational health and safety legislation, and environmental standards.
• Lead incident investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Ensure emergency response procedures are maintained and tested.

Oversee preventive and corrective maintenance programs.

• Coordinate maintenance shutdowns and equipment inspections.
• Ensure critical plant equipment is maintained for maximum reliability.
• Work closely with maintenance teams to improve equipment availability.
• Metallurgical Performance
• Monitor metallurgical performance indicators including gold recovery, reagent consumption, and plant efficiency.
• Work with metallurgists to optimize plant performance.
• Investigate process losses and implement improvement initiatives.
• Prepare and manage the plant operating budget.
• Monitor production costs and identify opportunities for cost reduction.
• Approve procurement of plant materials and services.
• Control inventory of critical spare parts and consumables.

• Lead and supervise plant supervisors, engineers, metallurgists, operators, and maintenance personnel.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop employees.
• Conduct performance evaluations and establish development plans.
• Foster teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.

• Ensure compliance with product quality standards.
• Monitor sampling, laboratory testing, and metallurgical accounting.
• Maintain accurate production and operational records.
• Identify opportunities to improve productivity, recovery, equipment reliability, and operating efficiency.
• Lead process improvement initiatives using Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies where applicable.
• Implement new technologies and best practices.

• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly production reports.
• Report on safety, environmental performance, plant availability, recovery, and operating costs.
• Present operational performance to senior management.

• Gold production target achievement.
• Gold recovery percentage.
• Plant throughput (tonnes processed).
• Equipment availability and utilization.
• Budget adherence.
• Employee…