Metallurgical Plant Control Room Operator

Job specification

• Grade 10, 11, 12 or equivalent NQF qualifications
• A minimum of 2–3 years' relevant experience within a metallurgical/mineral processing plant environment is preferred.
• Previous control room operating experience will be advantageous.
• Experience in monitoring and controlling multiple plant processes simultaneously will be advantageous.
• Relevant Mineral Processing / Metallurgical Plant Operations qualification will be advantageous.
• Relevant Control Room Operator or Process Plant Operator certification/training and experience will be advantageous.
• Previous experience within a metallurgical, mineral processing or mining plant environment.
• Previous experience operating and monitoring plant processes through SCADA and/or DCS systems.
• Sound understanding of metallurgical plant processes and equipment.
• Must work shifts and overtime when required, including weekends and public holidays, as per the operational roster.
• Proficiency in English and any one of the 11 official languages
• Must have computer literacy.
• Must have excellent communication skills with radio and telephone.
• South African Driver's License Code 8-10 essential
• South African Citizenship
• Clear Criminal Record

Responsibilities

• Monitoring and controlling metallurgical plant processes through the SCADA/DCS control system.
• Monitoring critical operating parameters, including flow rates, pressures, temperatures, tank levels, densities and other relevant process variables.
• Starting, stopping and adjusting plant equipment and processes in accordance with approved operating procedures.
• Maintaining plant operations within prescribed operating parameters and production requirements.
• Identifying process deviations, equipment abnormalities, alarms and potential operational risks.
• Responding promptly and appropriately to plant alarms, trips and emergency situations.
• Communicating plant conditions, equipment problems and process deviations to plant supervisors, field operators and maintenance personnel.
• Coordinating with field operators to verify equipment status and implement operational adjustments.
• Monitoring the operational status of pumps, conveyors, crushers, mills, screens, cyclones, thickeners and other applicable processing equipment.
• Assisting with the optimisation of plant throughput, recovery, availability and efficiency.
• Recording plant operating parameters, production information, equipment downtime and process interruptions accurately.
• Completing control room logbooks, shift reports and other required operational documentation.
• Conducting effective shift handovers and communicating outstanding operational issues to the incoming shift.
• Assisting with plant start-up and shutdown procedures.
• Immediately reporting unsafe conditions, equipment failures and significant process deviations.
• Liaising with maintenance teams regarding equipment breakdowns and planned maintenance activities.
• Ensuring compliance with operational procedures, standards and instructions.
• Maintaining good housekeeping and acceptable standards within the control room.
• Participating in safety meetings, toolbox talks, risk assessments and operational improvement initiatives.
• Performing any other reasonable duties associated with the position.
• Adhere to MHSA standards & Gold1's safety motto: "Nothing is so important that it cannot be done safely."