Junior Metallurgist - First Quantum Minerals (FQM) Ltd

About the Company

First Quantum Minerals (FQM) is a global mining and metals company with a strong presence in Zambia. The company operates within a performance-driven culture known as the “First Quantum Way,” which encourages employees to think independently, challenge convention, identify opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

FQM is seeking a technically capable and proactive Junior Metallurgist to support its process and metallurgy operations.

About the Role

The Junior Metallurgist will be a key member of the process team, assisting with the monitoring and reporting of plant performance.

The position will provide technical and operational support to the Operations Team to ensure that metallurgical parameters and process-control strategies achieve the required design and operational targets, with particular emphasis on safety, environmental performance, productivity, quality and cost.

The Junior Metallurgist will work closely with Metallurgists, metallurgical technicians and plant operations personnel.

Key Responsibilities

Plant Operations & Technical Support

Provide technical support to plant operations.

Collect plant data and measurements to support operational decisions and process monitoring.

Use control-system historians and sampling data to make ad-hoc operational decisions.

Monitor plant performance against established metallurgical parameters and KPIs.

Assist with implementing solutions designed to achieve and exceed plant KPIs, including:

• Safety

• Milling rates

• Throughput

• Recovery

• Concentrate grade

• Process efficiency

• Operating costs

Metallurgical Testwork & Process Optimisation

Coordinate plant and/or laboratory testwork aimed at optimising front-end and back-end plant operations.

Conduct circuit surveys under the guidance of the Metallurgist to improve understanding and control of the processing plant.

Report findings from testwork to Metallurgists for further analysis and implementation.

Identify opportunities for process improvement and support their implementation.

Assist with activities aimed at improving plant performance and operational efficiency.

Data Management & Reporting

Support data entry and ensure that metallurgical information is accurately recorded.

Assist with the preparation of timely:

• Daily metallurgy reports

• Weekly metallurgy reports

• Monthly metallurgy reports

Collect, analyse and compile plant-performance data.

Provide clear and accurate operational performance reports to relevant stakeholders.

Laboratory & Technician Support

Assist in the development of technicians working in the metallurgical laboratory and processing plant.

Support technicians during daily activities and survey campaigns aimed at monitoring plant performance.

Work as an intermediary between Metallurgists and metallurgical technicians.

Provide technical assistance during metallurgical testwork and plant-performance investigations.

Job-Specific Competencies

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Understanding of metallurgical information, process improvement and control strategies.

• Strong analytical skills for identifying process shortfalls and bottlenecks.

• Ability to conduct and support metallurgical testwork.

• Ability to identify opportunities for plant optimisation.

• Affinity for conducting testwork and training technicians.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Ability to assemble technical data and produce clear and accurate operational performance reports.

• Ability to communicate effectively both upwards and downwards within the organisation.

Key Attributes

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

• Good leadership and motivational skills.

• Strong drive and personal sense of ownership.

• High level of accountability.

• Ability to get work done and deliver results.

• Ability to maintain self-discipline within a stressful environment.

• Enthusiastic and proactive approach to work.

• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural environment.

• Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

Applicants should possess:

• Degree in Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering or a related field.

• Minimum 2 years' experience in mineral processing plants.

Experience in large automated processing plants is preferred, particularly exposure to:

• SABC circuits

• Sulphide flotation circuits

• Mineral processing operations

Work Environment

The successful candidate will work within a mineral processing and plant-operations environment.

The position may involve regular interaction with processing plants, metallurgical laboratories, technicians, Metallurgists and Operations personnel.

The role requires the ability to work effectively in a potentially stressful operational environment while maintaining high standards of safety, discipline, accuracy and accountability.

The ability to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures is essential.

Applicants should ensure that they meet the stated qualification and experience requirements before submitting their applications.

Job Summary

Employer: First Quantum Minerals
Position: Junior Metallurgist
Location: Zambia
Employment Type: Ongoing
Department: Process and Metallurgy
Requisition Number: JR18376
Minimum Qualification: Degree in Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering or related field
Experience: Minimum 2 years in mineral processing plants
Preferred Experience: Large automated plants with SABC and sulphide flotation circuits
Starting Date: 18 August 2026
Application Deadline: 31 August 2026
Industry: Mining / Mineral Processing / Metallurgy