Metallurgy Lead

Mariana Minerals is looking for a highly motivated Metallurgist to work on building back the domestic critical minerals supply chain.

As a Metallurgist at Mariana, you’ll play a critical role in supporting and optimizing our mineral processing operations across a range of unit processes, including heap leaching, solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX/EW), flotation, crushing, and milling. You’ll work closely with operations, technical services, and project development teams to ensure high metal recoveries, efficient reagent use, and safe, compliant plant operations. This is a site-based role with regular exposure to both fieldwork and metallurgical analysis.

Expect a fast-paced, hands‑on environment where your contributions directly influence production and growth.

• Optimize Metallurgical Processes – Monitor and improve metallurgical performance across heap leach pads, SX/EW plants, flotation circuits, and comminution areas (crushing/milling). Identify bottlenecks, troubleshoot issues, and implement improvements to enhance throughput and recovery.
• Design and Execute Test Program – Plan and supervise metallurgical test work (e.g., column leach tests, flotation tests, grinding studies). Interpret results to support operational changes or project decisions.
• Track and Report Metallurgical Performance – Conduct routine sampling, analysis, and metallurgical accounting. Maintain accurate records of metallurgical balances, recoveries, and plant efficiency metrics. Prepare internal reports and contribute to monthly technical summaries.
• Collaborate Across Teams – Work with operations, maintenance, and geology teams to integrate metallurgical insights into daily decision‑making. Provide input to capital projects, equipment selection, and commissioning activities.
• Champion Safety and Compliance – Promote a strong safety culture and ensure that all metallurgical work aligns with environmental, health, and regulatory standards.

• 3–7 years of experience in mineral processing, ideally with exposure to both hydrometallurgical and flotation circuits.
• Strong understanding of heap leach dynamics, SX/EW systems, flotation chemistry, and comminution fundamentals.
• Skilled in metallurgical test design, data analysis, and performance optimization.
• Experience with metallurgical modeling and software tools such as METSIM, HSC, or similar process modeling software package.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Excellent communication skills—able to translate technical findings into actionable recommendations.
• Proactive, safety‑conscious, and results‑driven, with a collaborative mindset.
• Ability to thrive in a field‑based, production‑focused environment.