Mineral processing engineer

Mineral processing engineers develop and manage equipment and techniques to successfully process and refine valuable minerals from ore or raw mineral.

The following job titles also refer to mineral processing engineer:

mineral processing engineers
senior mineralogist
materials expert
senior metallurgist
surface manager
mineral engineer
senior processing engineer

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as mineral processing engineer. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Mineral processing engineer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to mineral processing engineer.

mine health and safety engineer
mine planning engineer
mining geotechnical engineer
explosives engineer
mine mechanical engineer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of mineral processing engineer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of mineral processing engineer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of mineral processing engineer.

Geology: Solid earth, rock types, structures and the processes by which they are altered.
Chemistry: The composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk factors, and disposal methods.

These skills are necessary for the role of mineral processing engineer.

Use a computer: Utilise computer equipment or digital devices to facilitate quality control, data management, and communication. Follow instructions given by a computer programme, create computer files or documents.
Manage chemical reagents: Manage the handling, addition, and disposal of chemical reagents used to help separate products from raw mineral.
Ensure compliance with safety legislation: Implement safety programmes to comply with national laws and legislation. Ensure that equipment and processes are compliant with safety regulations.
Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
Maintain records of mining operations: Maintain records of mine production and development performance, including performance of machinery.
Manage mineral testing procedures: Manage mineral testing procedures in order to assess product quality at all stages.
Supervise staff: Oversee the selection, training, performance and motivation of staff.
Prepare technical reports: Prepare technical reports that describe results and processes of scientific or technical research, or assess its progress. These reports help researchers to keep up to date with recent findings.
Monitor mine production: Oversee mining production rates in order to estimate operational effectiveness.
Address problems critically: Identify the strengths and weaknesses of various abstract, rational concepts, such as issues, opinions, and approaches related to a specific problematic situation in order to formulate solutions and alternative methods of tackling the situation.
Manage mineral processing plant: Manage plant and equipment designed to extract products from raw minerals. Monitor the flow of materials through the processing plant.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of mineral processing engineer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Impact of geological factors on mining operations: Be aware of the impact of geological factors, such as faults and rock movements, on mining operations.
Bioleaching: Understand the principles of bioleaching, the extraction of products from raw mineral through the use of living organisms.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of mineral processing engineer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Design plant waste procedures: Participate in mine tailings and waste dump design and management, as per geotechnical, operational and statutory requirements.
Apply transportation management concepts: Apply transport industry management concepts in order to improve transportation processes, reduce waste, increase efficiency, and improve schedule preparation.
Communicate on the environmental impact of mining: Prepare talks, lectures, consultations with stakeholders and public hearings on environmental issues related to mining.
Mine dump design: Develop and implement safe and effective waste and dump management. Minimise the ecological footprint of the operation and follow legal requirements.
Develop new installations: Design and develop new facilities and installations, conduct feasibility studies.

2146 – Mining engineers, metallurgists and related professionals

 

 

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References

1. Mineral processing engineer – ESCO