Chemical Engineer

JOB SUMMARY

The Chemical Engineer is responsible for monitoring and optimising chemical and refining processes within the precious metals refinery. The role focuses on improving process efficiency, chemical consumption, metal recovery, product purity and process stability while ensuring safe and compliant refinery operations.

The Chemical Engineer works closely with the Refinery, Production, Laboratory/Assay, Quality, Engineering, EHS and Materials teams to support efficient and cost-effective refinery operations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Chemical & Refining Process

• Monitor and optimise chemical and refining processes for

precious metal recovery and purification.

• Support processes such as dissolution, precipitation, filtration, electrowinning, smelting and other applicable refining processes.

• Monitor critical process parameters and ensure operations follow approved SOPs and process specifications.

• Identify process deviations and recommend corrective actions.

B. Process Optimisation & Recovery

• Analyse process data, mass balance and recovery results to identify process losses and improvement opportunities.

• Monitor metal recovery, yield, throughput and process efficiency.

• Investigate abnormal recovery and process losses and recommend improvement measures.

• Support trials and optimisation of new refining methods, chemicals and process parameters.

C. Chemical Consumption & Cost Control

• Monitor consumption of acids, reagents and other process chemicals.

• Identify opportunities to optimise chemical usage and reduce operating costs.

• Investigate abnormal chemical consumption and recommend corrective actions.

D. Quality & Assay

• Work closely with the Laboratory/Assay team to review assay, ICP and XRF results.

• Monitor product purity and process quality to ensure required specifications are achieved.

• Investigate quality deviations and support corrective and preventive actions.

E. Production & Technical Support

• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for chemical and refining processes.

• Work with Production, Engineering and Maintenance teams to improve process stability and equipment performance.

• Support commissioning and validation of new refinery equipment and processes.

• Train production operators on process control, chemical handling and safe operating practices.

F. EHS & Regulatory Compliance

• Ensure chemical processes are carried out in accordance with approved safety procedures.

• Support safe handling, storage and disposal of hazardous chemicals.

• Work with EHS on wastewater treatment, chemical waste management and environmental controls.

• Participate in risk assessments, incident investigations and corrective actions.

G. SOP & Continuous Improvement

• Develop, review and improve SOPs, work instructions and process controls.

• Conduct root-cause analysis and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

• Support process optimisation to improve recovery, efficiency, quality and cost effectiveness.

H. Documentation & Reporting

• Prepare technical and process-performance reports.

• Maintain records of process parameters, chemical consumption, recovery, losses and analytical results.

• Present process performance and improvement findings to management.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering or a related discipline.

• 2–5 years of relevant experience in chemical processing, metal refining, metallurgy or manufacturing.

• Fresh graduates with relevant academic background may be considered for junior-level positions.

• Experience in precious metal refining, hydrometallurgy or pyrometallurgy is an advantage.

• Knowledge of chemical reaction calculations, mass balance and process control.

• Experience handling industrial chemicals such as nitric acid, hydrochloric acid and aqua regia is an advantage.

• Strong analytical, troubleshooting and problem-solving skills.

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS

• Hydrometallurgy and pyrometallurgy.

• Process optimisation and continuous improvement.

• Chemical reaction calculations and mass balance.

• Root Cause Analysis (RCA).

• Statistical Process Control (SPC).

• HAZOP / FMEA.

• Wastewater treatment and chemical waste management.

• Microsoft Excel and data analysis.