Chifeng Gold’s Lane Xang Minerals Limited (LXML) operates the Sepon Gold and Copper Operation, located in Vilabouly District, Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR. Since operations commenced in 2003, LXML Sepon has produced over 1.1 million tonnes of copper cathode and over 53 tonnes of gold. In 2022, Sepon produced 6,600 tonnes of copper and 6.7 tonnes of gold. Planned production for 2023 is over 6 tonnes of gold and 7,000 tonnes of copper.

LXML is now positioning itself for future growth. With the transition from a copper-focused operation to a gold-focused operation completed in 2020 and with a number of other feasibility studies, a ramp up in exploration and with merger and acquisition activity underway, the future for LXML and the Sepon operation is unlimited in potential and opportunity.

In support of this growth, we are looking for a Senior Metallurgist to join our team to deliver on our growth plans, and be a part of this exciting future.

The role of the Senior Metallurgist is to ensure all work required by the Processing Senior Superintendent are completed to the required standard. Optimal performance will require key technical projects to be executed on-time and successfully deliver the planned benefit to metal production. Additionally, troubleshooting current plant performance to meet targets is equally critical for the role. The production bottleneck is often in crushing and milling, it would be considered a special asset for candidates having proven success in these areas of processing. Process control automation is also a large focus to improve at Sepon, preference would be given to candidates with experience automating mill control, flotation mass pull, cyanide control, and various plant reagent additions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Leading simultaneous projects with competing priorities in various execution phases on a wide variety of processes.
• Minimising unit costs of externally supplied consumables by understanding cost/performance relationships of these consumables and setting operating parameters that maximize efficiency.
• Monitoring process plant performance and liaising with areas of the site operation about technical consequences and forecasts; Coordinate the operating supervision in the output of the daily strategy in relation to plant performance, bottlenecks, threats and risks.
• Initiating and implementing projects focusing on metallurgical performance and reliability contributing to the rolling quarterly plant production schedules to meet annual budgets.
• Implementing improvement initiatives and driving metallurgical performance opportunity.
• Develop testwork programs to increase plant efficiency and troubleshoot areas of plant problems.  Review and recommend projects to overcome issues either by innovation or new technology.
• Setting metallurgical, sampling and laboratory standards, as well as processing set points.
• Providing statistical data, i.e. trend analysis, daily analysis, periodical reports. Many deliverables will be required in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Contributing to recommendations on strategic and continuous process improvement plans.
• A detailed understanding of the metallurgical accounting system, budget/forecast model and the life of mine planning process.
• Ensuring weekly, monthly and annual forecasts are completed accurately in a timely manner.
• Ensuring all routine metallurgical and cost reporting are completed accurately and in a timely manner.
• Successfully liaise with operations, maintenance, mining and geology personnel.
• Mentoring, coaching and training for metallurgists, graduate metallurgists, and process officers.
• Maintaining work groups focus on safety and environmental considerations.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience: 

• Tertiary degree in Mineral Processing, Metallurgical, or Chemical engineering.
• Organisational ability to manage multiple tasks with clear accountability.
• Project and time management skills; speed in execution is highly valued at Sepon.
• Commitment to high quality standards.
• Problem solving ability with proven success – experience with root-cause analysis methods is preferred.
• Solid communicator at required levels (management, technical, operational).
• Minimum 5 years’ experience, specifically with a gold production plant.
• High level of operating skills in two or more of the unit operations present in the gold and copper plant including: Crushing, Milling, CCD thickening, flotation, atmospheric leaching, pressure leaching, CIL and stripping, Solvent Extraction (SX), Electro-winning (EW), Oxygen plant, Tailings/ Neutralisation, Water treatment. Special attention will be given to candidates with stronger background in crushing and milling.
• Process control automation experience will be considered an asset.
• Experience in production planning and metallurgical accounting.

An attractive salary package, including performance-based incentives and other benefits, are on the offer for this role.  This is a great opportunity to join an exisiting world class mining operation and contribute towards the ongoing development of the biggest and best mining company in the Lao PDR.

To join the next generations' global mining company, please submit your application online in either Word (.doc) or Adobe (.pdf) format online to Recruitment@LXML.LA. All applications will close 31 December 2023.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interview and your submitted documents will not be returned.

Phonsinuan Village, P.O. Box 4486, Vientiane, Lao PDR Tel:  +856 21 268 200, NalaoVillage, Kaisone District, Savannakhet Tel:  +856 41 212686