About the position
- Operating pilot-scale unit operations, including sulfuric acid leaching of phosphogypsum, ion exchange recovery of rare earths from leach solution, and purification of the ion exchange eluate by pH adjustment or other hydrometallurgical means
- Operation of equipment used in the pilot plant, including leach reactors, screw feeders, repulp vessels and agitators, vacuum pan filters, air extraction systems, compressed air pumps, peristaltic pumps, centrifugal pumps, continuous ion exchange systems and associated pumps and valves, solution transfer systems, compressed air and vacuum filtration systems, solution purification equipment such as reactors and mixers
- Careful control of operating conditions in the specified unit operation, including parameters such as temperature, flow rates, acidity and pH, residence times in reactors and filters, accurate measurement and dosing of reagents including acids and alkali's
- Filling in log sheets for activities completed, which will include the recording of masses of solids and solution containers, times of certain activities, temperatures, flow rates and pump flow rate calibrations, and others.
- Performing, or assisting with, manual or automatic titrations for total acid, or other analytes, using manual titration equipment or an automatic titrator
- Assisting with the transfer of solids and solutions from one unit operation to the next, which will include accurate mass measurements of tanks, and operation of air/peristaltic pumps to transfer solutions
- Performing small side-stream leaching and / or ion exchange and / or purification tests as directed by the shift supervisor, if required
- Keeping the workstations clean and operable
- Assist with the operation of other unit operations if required
- Assist with sample preparation, such as vacuum or pressure filtration of solid samples, drying of solid samples, recording of moisture loss details, labelling of solid and solution containers, assisting the analytical chemist / ICP operator with sample solution sample preparation such as dilutions and mass measurements
- Correct labelling and filing of log sheets in files or other filing containers
- Correct storage of samples in designated storage areas and containers, according to sample handling procedures
- At all times treating other operators with respect, and having a positive, problem-solving attitude
- Adhering to safety guidelines at all times, including:
- Safe handling of hazardous materials such as acidic solutions / acidic solids
- Adhering to fire and evacuation procedures as and when required
- Reporting of incidents to the shift supervisor and / or SHE Representative on shift
- Taking corrective action if required to decrease the risk of injury or hazardous spillages
- At all times wearing correct PPE
- Performing any other pilot plant operational duties as directed by the shift supervisor
Desired Skills:
- metals or chemical processing
- test work
- or plant operation experience
Desired Work Experience:
Desired Qualification Level & Accreditations:
- Diploma
- Southern African Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
About The Employer:
Minimum Qualification: preferably a tertiary qualification in chemical engineering, mining, or metallurgy, or a student currently studying chemical engineering, mining, or metallurgy in at least their 2nd year of study or in the event the applicant has experience in operating metals processing plants, a grade 12
Minimum Experience: metals or chemical processing, test work, or plant operation experience
Contract: 6 month fixed term contract
