Senior International Mineral Process Development Engineer

JOB DESCRIPTION

  1. Job Title: Senior International Mineral Process Development Engineer Department: Mineral Processing 

 City: Suhar

  2. JOB SUMMARY

• Provide expertise in mineral processing to support the resolution of problems, studies, and requests from the client's clients and partners both domestically and internationally. This includes leading discussions with all the client departments (Geology and Mineral Resources, Short and Long-Term Mine Planning, Projects, Strategy, Marketing, Market Intelligence and Pricing, Product and Business Development, Integrated Value Chain, Plant Operations, Customer Service Solution, Origination), focusing on adding value to the customer.
• Engage with all departments (Operations / Technical Services / Strategic Planning, Value Chain, etc.) to connect demands and technical solutions to be implemented in the current production chain, as well as in new international projects (Sohar, Megahubs, Concentration in China and Malaysia, etc.).
• Provide expertise in mineral technology to ensure the best use of concentrated mineral resources abroad, maximizing metallurgical recovery and minimizing tailing generation.
• Provide mineral processing expertise to the client's international operations regarding iron ore beneficiation and handling (Middle East, Malaysia, China, etc.).
• Provide mineral processing expertise for the Origination program to utilize third-party ore in the client's beneficiation plants in Brazil and abroad, defining the best applications for each type of material.
• Relate the iron ore beneficiation process to the technical guidance of strategic matters that affect the allocation of the client's product portfolio, as well as its market positioning, operating across various countries (Asia, Europe, Middle East, Brazil, and others), different cultures, and time zones.
• Map the current state of iron ore processing worldwide in order to identify technological trends as well as market product changes, contributing to the assessment of the best positioning of the client’s portfolio.
• Provide expertise in mineral technology in the processes of technical evaluations of new businesses and Due Diligence procedures in studies related to mergers and acquisitions of companies
• Map, evaluate, develop, and prioritize international R&D initiatives, selecting and defining their applications in current projects and/or operations, aiming at the continuous improvement of mineral processes and the sustainability of iron ore production in Brazil and abroad.
• Provide expertise in mineral processing through knowledge of the client’s iron ore beneficiation plants abroad, combined with the history of previously conducted technological characterizations, with the goal of accelerating the development of studies, as well as contributing to process optimization and strategy definition.
• Represent the Mineral Process discipline of the client’s and third-party iron ore beneficiation plants in the international market, focusing on technical support for operations and the development of optimization and production expansion projects that will support the Ferrous Master Plan. Additionally, support the development of studies included in R&D programs, with an emphasis on technological improvement and the monitoring of innovative technological solutions, aiming to enhance the company’s competitiveness in the mineral-metallurgical sector.

3. DIMENSIONS GENERAL

• Involvement in the development and mapping of technological advancements in iron ore processing at a global level, providing expertise in mineral processing to support strategic definitions for new projects, technical assistance to clients, and the development of new business opportunities.
• Strategic Projects: Overseas MegaHUB, Master Plan Projects, Feed for agglomerates.
• Regions of Operation: China, Middle East, Central and North America.

4 .SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work in close collaboration with interface areas such as: Technical Solutions Management, Geology, Mineral Resources, Short- and Long-Term Mine Planning, Projects, Strategy, Marketing, Market Intelligence and Pricing, Product and Business Development, Integrated Value Chain, Plant Operations, and CSS (Custom Service Solution), to support client interactions.
• Interface with the Origination program to support the definition of optimal allocation of third-party materials.

5. KEY CHALLENGES

• Work on initiatives related to ore beneficiation alongside multidisciplinary and geographically dispersed teams to support studies conducted by the Technical Marketing, Customer Service Solution (CSS), and Origination teams.
• Incorporate technological developments aligned with the company’s strategic guidelines, driving a true shift in performance, with a focus on sustainable results and risk reduction.
• Actively participate in studies with CSS and Origination, acting as a facilitator in sharing information related to beneficiation plants, behavior, and characteristics of the client’s products that contribute to delivering the best solutions to clients across various countries (Asia, Europe, Middle East, Brazil, and others), in a multicultural and multi-time-zone environment.
• Identify and capture opportunities through market analysis, benchmarking, and other tools.
• Analyze, prioritize, and influence other areas of the organization to engage in customer-focused projects and initiatives, supporting the client’s goal of being a trusted company.
• Stay close to other business and operational areas to promote a customer-centric approach.

6. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conduct technical evaluations of new business opportunities and Due Diligence processes related to mergers and acquisitions.
• Perform technical assessments to define the applications of products within the Origination program.
• Research and propose the application of new technologies in iron ore processing to increase productivity and reduce environmental impacts.
• Contribute to initiatives at concentration plants in China and support the concentration strategy by helping define volumes and performance targets.
• Participate in specific projects focused on maximizing the value of the client’s portfolio and enhancing customer focus (e.g., Megahub, Sohar, Jaspilite).
• Work closely with customer-facing areas to identify innovation opportunities and provide input for adapting the client’s ore processing to better meet customer needs and strategic goals.
• Contribute to the strategic planning of projects involving the installation of iron ore concentration plants abroad (e.g., Sohar, China, Megahub – Middle East), collaborating with technical teams that support clients in various markets to develop value-adding and problem-solving solutions aligned with future demand for direct reduction pellet feed and the client’s strategic goals.
• Develop technical solutions for wet, dry, or hybrid iron ore processing to support projects aligned with the company’s Master Plan and decarbonization strategy, focusing on high-quality products, circular mining, and international market sustainability, maximizing value generation for the client.
• Support FEL 1, FEL 2, and FEL 3 phases in the development of new capital projects targeting international markets, ensuring compliance with process standards and the application of Basic Data and Process Criteria.
• Develop projects for international markets aimed at maximizing metallurgical recovery, increasing production, reducing tailings generation, extending the life of dams and tailings piles, and minimizing environmental and social impacts in a technically and economically viable manner.
• Provide technical assistance to international operations in areas related to process control and ore treatment, including training and addressing critical deviations.
• Interpret and analyze technological and mineralogical characterization data to support project development: analyze ore characteristics to define beneficiation unit operations, processing routes, operational parameters, and potential product quality, with a focus on international processes.
• Perform process data analysis, plan experiments, and conduct statistical analysis of results using simulators and mass balance software.
• Develop macro process flow diagrams for unit operations based on technological characterization test plans to support integrated process route development, indicating appropriate equipment use, considering mass and water balances, and preliminary sizing of mineral processing equipment, with a focus on international markets.
• Prepare technical specifications for contracting specialized services in technological characterization and mineralogical analysis.
• Evaluate the technical capabilities of laboratories that may provide services to the mineral process development area, considering international market offerings.
• Design and lead interlaboratory programs to validate and ensure continuity of technological and mineralogical characterizations.
• Provide technical assistance to the client operations and clients in handling-related matters, conducting diagnostics, and recommending solutions to resolve issues.
• Monitor VPS (the client Production System) indicators and ensure implementation of actions aimed at continuous improvement of internal and external processes.
• Use software tools such as Usimpac, Metsim, and JK SimMet.
• Perform quality simulations and product partitioning for beneficiation plants contracted by the client outside Brazil.

7. QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPEREINCE

•  Bachelor's degree in Mineral Processing Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mining Engineering, or Metallurgical Engineering.
• A Master’s or Ph.D. in Engineering or a field of interest to the client (mining and metallurgy) is desirable.
•  Specific Knowledge: Fluent English is mandatory.
• At least 7 years of experience in a multinational industry and/or leading consulting firm and experience in mineral characterization.

     

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.