Furnace Operator - Pyrometallurgy at Mintek

Job description

Key Performance Indicators:

• Assist, under supervision, with logistics and operational issues, including the commissioning, maintenance, operation and management of pilot scale furnace facilities in the Pyrometallurgy Division.
• Prepare equipment and facilities for use and check the operability of the standard equipment and facilities, including providing technical and procedural advice on how to operate the equipment, which equipment settings are the optimal, etc.
• Operate laboratory and pilot scale equipment under the supervision of the Chief Investigators, Chief Operators and Artisans. This includes following technical and of the procedural advice in the operation and servicing equipment and facilities.
• General management and coordination of bulk sample storage areas and coordinating bulk deliveries, dispatch, and storage of bulk materials. This includes taking full ownership of routine activities such as preparation of bulk samples such as screening, blending, mixing, and drying as well as re-bagging.
• Coordinating housekeeping and maintaining bulk storage areas and materials to ensure materials are stored properly to avoid contamination and/or degradation, including keeping updated inventories to allow effective retrieval.
• Prepare samples/feed materials from instructions and ensure all equipment is used correctly and responsibly to avoid or minimize damage, including assuming full ownership of specified laboratory / process or plant equipment, and assignment to specific workflows, such as sample/raw materials preparation, furnace operation, housekeeping, etc.
• Practice good housekeeping and working procedures at all times.
• Conform to all relevant SHEQ procedures, guidelines and rules, and ensure that relevant risks and hazards are identified and managed through Mintek-approved risk assessments and procedures. This includes ensuring that all relevant SOPs are up to date and complied with

Minimum requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Grade 12/N4

JOB KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• 3 years’ experience in the operation of relevant environment, operating furnaces and/or high temperature equipment.
• Ability to handle and process solid and molten materials in a safe and responsible manner.
• Knowledge or experience with SHEQ systems is non-negotiable.
• Understanding of the pyrometallurgy research environment is an added advantage
• Physically and medically fit

BEHAVIOURAL COMPETENCIES:

• Team player who enjoys working on a variety of tasks.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Self-driven and willingness to assist in other sections/ divisions where necessary
• Ability to work in a stressful and demanding environment.
• Willingness to work shifts and overtime, when necessary, particularly during research/production pilot scale campaigns.
• Ability to manage shifts and work in hot and dusty plant environments.