Role Title:

Sr. Metallurgist - Concentrate Leaching

Reports to:

Sr. Engineering Manager

Job Type:

Full-Time, Regular

Location:

Cactus Mine, Casa Grande, AZ

Purpose of Role:

The Sr. Metallurgist - Concentrate Leaching is responsible for developing, testing, scaling up, and implementing the process to receive trucked copper concentrate product at the Cactus operations for processing and refining through a concentrate leach process to generate LME Grade A Copper Cathode. This position leads metallurgical engineering studies, manages pilot testing programs, and oversees full-scale commercial technology implementation.

All work will be done with the mindset and values of Hudbay Minerals: We care about our people, our communities and our planet. We value dignity and respect, caring, openness and trustworthiness.

ROLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Lead engineering studies, process development, and metallurgical testing for receiving, handling, and leaching trucked copper concentrate.
• Design, manage, and execute pilot plant testing programs to evaluate concentrate leaching technologies, flowsheet options, and process economics.
• Oversee full-scale engineering, construction, commissioning, and operational ramp-up of the concentrate leaching and refining facility to generate LME Grade A Copper Cathode.
• Optimize unit operations including concentrate receiving/slurry preparation, leaching, solid-liquid separation, solvent extraction (SX), and electrowinning (EW).
• Establish process control parameters, mass and energy balances, process flow diagrams (PFDs), and operational specifications in coordination with engineering consultants and vendors.
• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs), quality control protocols, and metallurgical accounting frameworks.
• Monitor, analyze, and report key performance indicators (KPIs), metallurgical recoveries, reagent consumption, and operational efficiencies.
• Collaborate with safety, environmental, and regulatory teams to ensure compliance with chemical handling, emissions, and waste management standards.
• Support operational readiness, contractor management, and site risk assessments during project development and construction phases.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND EDUCATION:

• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Extractive Metallurgy, or a related engineering discipline.
• Minimum 7+ years of relevant metallurgical engineering experience in hydrometallurgy, base metal processing, or copper concentrate treatment.
• Demonstrated experience leading metallurgical testwork, engineering studies, pilot plant operations, and commercial facility commissioning/startup.
• Comprehensive knowledge of hydrometallurgical processing, concentrate leaching, solvent extraction (SX), electrowinning (EW), and solution purification.
• Strong expertise in pilot plant design, scale-up methodologies, process modeling, and metallurgical accounting.
• Applied knowledge of MSHA, OSHA, and state/federal environmental regulations relevant to metallurgical processing facilities.
• Technical proficiency in process optimization, root cause analysis, hazard identification, and chemical handling safety.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Master's degree in Metallurgical Engineering or Chemical Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license or equivalent professional registration.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as needed to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Other Requirements:

Physical - The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and smell. The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds, and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities may be required for this position.

Work Environment - The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The work environment will necessitate work near moving mechanical parts and outside weather conditions such as hot and/or dry conditions. Work will be conducted in locations where noise, fumes, dust, toxic or caustic chemicals, and vibration may exist.

Employee must be able to prove that he/she has a current and valid driver's license.