Process metallurgist

Process metallurgists study the characteristics of ores including copper, nickel and iron ores and the performance of various metals and alloys. 

The following job titles also refer to process metallurgist:

process metallurgy research scientist
process metallurgy research analyst
process metallurgy scholar
process metallurgy specialist
process metallurgy researcher
processing metallurgist
process metallurgy expert
steel industry experts
process metallurgy scientist
process metallurgy adviser
process metallurgy analyst
process metallurgy consultant
process metallurgy science researcher

High school diploma is generally required to work as process metallurgist. 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.

Process metallurgist is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to process metallurgist.

metallurgist
chemical metallurgist
chemical tester
foundry manager
metallurgical manager

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

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of process metallurgist.

Non-ferrous metal processing: Various processing methods on non-ferrous metals and alloys such as copper, zinc and aluminium.
Metal and metal ore products: The offered metal and metal ore products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
Alloys of precious metals: Types of material that consist of two or more metals or non-metals.
Ferrous metal processing: Various processing methods on iron and iron-containing alloys such as steel, stainless steel and pig iron.
Metal forming technologies: The variety of technologies and techniques, such as forging, pressing, stamping, rolling and others, used for the forming processes of metal product manufacturing.
Types of metal: Qualities, specifications, applications and reactions to different fabricating processes of various types of metal, such as steel, aluminium, brass, copper and others.
Types of metal manufacturing processes: Metal processes linked to the different types of metal, such as casting processes, heat treatment processes, repair processes and other metal manufacturing processes.
Precious metal processing: Various processing methods on precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum.

These skills are necessary for the role of process metallurgist.

Ensure compliance with environmental legislation: Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices.
Join metals: Join together pieces of metal using soldering and welding materials.
Troubleshoot: Identify operating problems, decide what to do about it and report accordingly.
Manipulate metal: Manipulate the properties, shape and size of metal.
Monitor manufacturing quality standards: Monitor quality standards in manufacturing and finishing process.
Ensure public safety and security: Implement the relevant procedures, strategies and use the proper equipment to promote local or national security activities for the protection of data, people, institutions, and property.
Work in metal manufacture teams: Ability to work confidently within a metal manufacturing group with each doing a part but all subordinating personal prominence to the efficiency of the whole.
Ensure health and safety in manufacturing: Ensure health and safety of personnel during manufacturing process.
Make time-critical decisions: Pursue optimal time-critical decision making within the organisation.
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.
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.
Assess suitability of metal types for specific application: Assess the physical nature and structural composition of various metals and alloys, and analyse how the materials behave in different circumstances.

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

Precious metals: Types of rare metal that occur naturally and have a high economic value.
Chemical technologies in metal manufacture: The chemical procedures and technologies used  in basic metal production.
Innovation processes: The techniques, models, methods and strategies which contribute to the promotion of steps towards innovation.
Design drawings: Understand design drawings detailing the design of products, tools, and engineering systems.
Physics: The natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.
Chemical processes: The relevant chemical processes used in manufacture, such as purification, seperation, emulgation and dispergation processing.
Manufacturing of jewellery: The manufacturing of different type of jewellery such as rings or necklaces out of various metal types such as silver, gold, diamond and other precious stones.

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

Conduct metallurgical structural analysis: Perform detailed analysis related to researching and testing new metal products.
Design metal components: Design metal components in response to a need. Provide support by writing documents, manuals, metallurgical investigations, and reports in support of customer liaison.
Process incident reports for prevention: Verify incident information, complete reporting requirements and report to management and relevant site personnel, in order to enable follow-up and future prevention.
Maintain ore processing equipment: Maintain and clean equipment; remove rubbish and spillages.
Extract products from moulds: Remove finished products from moulds and examine them in detail for anomalies.
Liaise with quality assurance: Work closely with the relevant quality assurance or grading party involved.
Install monitors for process control: Plan and deploy a system of monitors for controlling specific processes in an organisation or a system.
Separate metals from ores: Apply various chemical and physical methods to separate minerals from their ores such as magnetic, electric or chemical methods
Develop new installations: Design and develop new facilities and installations, conduct feasibility studies.
Provide manufacturing documentation: Provide clients with the appropriate technical documents such as manuals, technical reports, metallurgical investigations, etc.

2146 – Mining engineers, metallurgists and related professionals

 

 

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References

1. Process metallurgist – ESCO