Metallurgist
Newmont
n/a (PGK)
#24101
Workplace Type: On-Site
About Newmont
At Newmont, we’re not just a world-leading gold and metals producer – we’re a team united by our commitment to shaping a more inclusive, sustainable, and responsible mining industry. Joining us means becoming part of a global, diverse workforce where everyone is valued, empowered, and encouraged to grow. Our people are the heart of our success, bringing exceptional skill, integrity, and dedication to everything we do as an organization and we’re dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive.
About Lihir
Our Lihir Operation, located on the beautiful island of Niolam, approximately 800km north of Papua New Guinea's capital, Port Moresby, is one of the world’s largest gold mines. Set within a geothermically active, extinct volcanic crater, Lihir operates an open-pit mine producing refractory ore, which undergoes pressure oxidation and conventional leaching to recover gold. Our workforce includes both residential and commute rosters, creating a diverse and dynamic team. Lihir offers a range of recreational facilities, including a gym, sports club, restaurant, bar, swimming pool, tennis and squash courts, and a 9-hole golf course. For those who enjoy the outdoors, the Lihir fishing and boating clubs provide access to pristine waters and beaches, while our onsite deli and café serve fresh local and imported produce, barista-made coffee, and freshly baked goods.
We are proud to work closely with the local Lihirian community and value its vibrant culture. Through initiatives like our School to Mine program, we offer meaningful employment, training, and development opportunities for Lihirian men and women, as well as scholarships and vocational apprenticeships. We also partner with the New Ireland Province to ensure economic benefits flow directly to the community, strengthening our commitment to sustainable development and positive local impact.
Purpose
To provide technical support and expertise for metallurgical activities to ensure optimum and cost-effective metallurgical performance is achieved within Processing and to support operational and maintenance personnel to maximise gold recovery.
Essential Duties
Safety
- Promote key Newmont HSE programs, in particular Fatality Risk Management (FRM) system.
- Drive and influence proactive safety behaviours within the workgroup through visible felt interactions and Critical Control Verifications (CCVs).
- Taking a proactive risk management approach to departmental tasks, i.e. recognise, analyse, respond to ensure risks are managed in accordance with Newmont’s requirements.
Production
- Provide technical support to process operations to ensure optimum metallurgical performance of the plant including metallurgical data analysis, metallurgical reporting, evaluating metallurgical performance of circuits, equipment and existing systems
- Work with process maintenance to achieve efficient process plant equipment/instrument performance and increased availability.
- Ensure plant stability is maintained consistently by working closely with SAOC and SIC personnel.
Technical Capabilities
- Possess sound technical skills in all areas of Production Metallurgy including Ore Blending, Crushing, Milling, Flotation, Thickening, Pressure Oxidation, CCD Washing, CIL, AARL Elution, Electrowinning, Lime Slaking, Process Control and Metallurgical Accounting.
- Technical and systems skills of all aspects of laboratory test work covering flotation, acid and caustic cracking, leach, solvent extraction, and separation processes for a planned major rare earth recovery and separation project including managing the overall design of process flowsheets, plant layouts, material handling systems, manpower requirements, equipment procurement and material utilization.
- Be able to design, manage and execute Plant Trials, Surveys and Metallurgical Test work for new or existing standards.
- Able to manage and deliver short to long term process improvement projects.
- Be able to provide coaching and mentoring to Graduate Metallurgists and peers.
Training & Experience
- 3 – 5 years relevant work experience essential.
- Demonstrate knowledge of assay and metallurgical laboratory operation in a large-scale mining environment.
- Effective verbal, written & communication skills.
- Computer proficiency in MS Office suite.
- Sound planning, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficient in PI Process Book or similar systems
- Sound planning, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
- Self-motivate with the ability to work autonomously and demonstrate a high degree of resilience.
- Excellent attention to detail and time management skills to meet deadlines.
- Strong active listening & interpersonal skills for rapport building, conflict resolution & training.
Working Conditions
- FIFO Roster
- Roster Cycle – 22/20
At Newmont, our commitment to diversity and inclusion ensures that everyone can work to their full potential, free from discrimination, while respecting the cultures, religions, and governance of the regions in which we operate. Guided by our values of Safety, Integrity, Sustainability, Responsibility, and Inclusion, our Lihir team – 90% of which are Papua New Guinean – is dedicated to creating a culturally rich and supportive environment where meaningful, long-term connections can be formed within the industry.
We believe in the strength of our people and the positive impact we can create together. Newmont employees are rewarded with a competitive salary, flexible packaging options, and programs that recognize those who go above and beyond. We know no candidate meets every qualification listed, so if you share our values and feel you can make a meaningful contribution, we encourage you to apply now, closing date: 31 July 2025 – we’d love to hear from you!