Career information Metallurgy and Mineral Processing Metallurgist/ Metallurgical Engineer What does a metallurgist do? Within the minerals industry, metallurgists work at mine sites, smelters, refineries and laboratories. They use their chemistry and physics knowledge to think of improved and more efficient ways of separating valuable minerals (and the metals within them) from ores that have been mined. Metallurgists research, control and develop processes used in extracting metals from their ores for refining metals. Metallurgists work at mineral processing sites and may specialise in either primary (extractive) or secondary (physical) metallurgy. Depending on the exact job, a metallurgist might be involved in all or some of the following tasks applying physical and chemical methods to separate valuable minerals from their ores using magnetic, electric, gravity or chemical methods applying methods for extracting commercial quantities of minerals from their ores conducting studies of metals and alloys before and during processing to determine their properties supervising sampling from various stages of processing for laboratory analysis and testing examining metal processing techniques to make sure that quality is maintained, or to improve processing, or develop new methods testing alloys to study their properties investigating whether methods being used are the cheapest, most efficient and environmentally acceptable developing and controlling methods of storing and treating waste material working out temperature adjustments, raw material mixtures and other processing variables to make metals supervising and coordinate the work of technicians and other workers advising operators on production methods and quality control systems investigating failure of components to identify the cause preparing technical reports. Metallurgists liaise with a wide variety of people on the job such as mining engineers, geologists, mine managers, process operators, technicians and tradespeople. Metallurgists work at mineral processing sites, mines, factories, workshops or foundries, in laboratories or offices.
Metallurgy suits someone who: Enjoys technical and engineering work Is willing to contribute and adhere to safety requirements Is able to identify, analyse and solve problems Is able to communicate well orally, in writing and graphically Is both practical and creative Is able to work without supervision Is able to accept responsibility Minerals Process Engineer What does a Minerals Process Engineer Do? Minerals process engineers transform low value impure minerals, recycled materials and by-products of other processing operations into commercially valuable products. The main sources of these raw materials are low grade minerals, by-products of other processing operations and recycled materials. Minerals process engineers are employed in all stages of raw materials processing A minerals process engineer may perform the following tasks: process design and development; process control and management; pure and applied research; study and apply chemical and process metallurgy techniques coordinate recovery of samples for laboratory analysis and testing choose and use a combination of treatments to produce the desired quality of products, at the lowest cost and optimum efficiency prepare operational budgets to evaluate the economic efficiency and feasibility of processes. Minerals process engineers may work on site in remote areas. They often work for international companies and may travel or work overseas. Minerals Processing suits someone who: Likes chemistry, maths and physics and is interested in engineering and science Is willing to contribute and adhere to safety requirements Is able to identify, analyse and solve problems Has good oral and written communication skills Has aptitude for computing and design Is both practical and creative Is able to work as part of a team and independently Enjoys problem-solving and creative, analytical thinking Is able to accept responsibility Is interested in working at mine sites or processing plants, often in remote locations around Australia or overseas
What are the career opportunities? Within the minerals industry, metallurgists and minerals process engineers can become technical specialists in their field, working in a senior roles for a company or setting themselves up as a consultant to several companies. Alternatively, metallurgy/minerals processing can lead to management or strategic planning careers. There are also opportunities to move into marketing or consulting to investment and finance companies. Metallurgists and minerals process engineers are currently in good demand in Australia and overseas and receive excellent starting salaries. Interstate and overseas travel can be a large part of the job. Chemical and Materials Engineers are often able to work as metallurgists and minerals process engineers if they take the electives and subjects in their courses that focus on metallurgy and minerals processing/engineering. Another possibility, which is becoming more common, is for chemical engineers and materials engineers to do postgraduate studies to specialise in these fields. Postgraduate studies are often more flexible to fit in with full time work. Metallurgist- extractive/general Extractive Metallurgists study and apply metallurgical techniques for extracting and refining metallic materials from their ores or concentrates. They research, develop, control and provide advice on processes used in extracting metals from their ores and the washing, crushing and grading of ore or refining metals. They coordinate the analysis of samples taken from metallurgical process streams to ensure safe and economic operation and they advise operations personnel on process changes required to obtain desired products, processes and quality control. Mineral Processing Engineer Minerals process engineers transform low value impure minerals, recycled materials and by-products of other processing operations into commercially valuable products. The main sources of these raw materials are low grade minerals, by-products of other processing operations and recycled materials. Minerals process engineers are employed in all stages of raw materials processing Hydrometallurgist Hydrometallurgists are involved in the treatment of ores through low temperature refining and wet processes such as leaching. Hydrometallurgists study the nature and properties of different metals and materials and remove insoluble and toxic materials from metal using water-based solutions to find a more pure form of ore. They may use electrolytic refining and processes. Pyrometallurgist Pyrometallurgists design and develop high temperature heat-based processes and equipment to concentrate, extract, refine and process metals and other
materials. They extract and obtain pure metals and ore through various extractive processes such as refining, welding, fusing and smelting metals. They control temperature adjustments, change mixtures and other variables in operations such as blast-furnaces and steel-melting furnaces to obtain materials such as pig iron and steel of specified metallurgical characteristics and qualities. Metallurgy / mineral processing- consulting Consulting Metallurgists and Mineral Processing Engineers often work on a variety of processes, plants and ores. They will typically be based in coastal cities and fly out to projects as necessary. Consultants can and do specialise in certain processes or metals/minerals and therefore act to provide certain specific technical information to companies and operations. Metallurgy / mineral processing- research Academic and Research metallurgists/mineral processors often work in universities or CRC s (cooperative research centres). Rather than looking primarily at the economic issues of how to extract metals and minerals from ore, they investigate why and how things behave the way they do or are the way they are. Chemical Engineer Chemical Engineers design, develop and operate processes for converting and refining raw materials into products. A chemical engineer may improve/develop new processes and materials; design/ improve methods and equipment for extraction, filtration, distillation; prepare reports and detailed costing of changes/improvements; design/operate pilot plants; design plants and specify equipment/processes and layout; test the quality of the process/product; find faults in plant equipment and take corrective action to ensure safe operation. Materials Engineer Materials engineers investigate the properties of metals, ceramics, polymers and other materials and develop and assess their commercial and engineering applications. Materials engineers may study the structure and properties of metals and other materials, investigate methods for shaping and fabricating materials, and study methods for joining materials, improving existing materials and evaluating new ones. They participate in the design of products using advanced materials, investigate material failures and study ways to extend the life of materials.
Mineral Processing Operator ASCO Code: 712311E Mineral processing operators use equipment to process mineral ores until the final form is produced. Mineral-bearing ore is subjected to various processes to extract the minerals. The ore is first crushed, then processing equipment such as screens, grinding mills, filters, flotation cells, tanks and conveyors are used to extract concentrated minerals. The minerals in their final form are produced by smelting. Mineral processing operators may perform the following tasks: assemble and dismantle equipment and fittings in ore-processing plants operate ore-crushing and screening plants using manual and computer-based systems, conveyers, feeders, weight-meters, roll mills, pumps, jigs, spirals and flotation cells load, unload and store materials such as treatment chemicals and tools mix ore-treating chemicals, catalysts and reagents clear blockages in materials-handling and transporting equipment clean, wash and maintain equipment, and remove spillages and rubbish maintain auxiliary systems, such as drainage, fluids-pouring and conveyor-belt systems take samples of materials for testing use thickeners in the drying processes, pumping of tailings and management of tailings dams and associated raw-water systems. Minerals processing operators can be involved in all aspects of mineral processing, including sampling and laboratory work. They are often located in remote areas and working conditions may include dust, heat and noise. Mineral processing operators work in teams, and shift work may be involved. Mineral processing operators need to: enjoy practical and manual work be physically fit be resourceful and good at solving problems demonstrate mechanical aptitude