Senior Metallurgist

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 2 million tonnes of copper cathode and over 65 tonnes of gold. In 2025, Sepon produced 7,000 tonnes of copper and 6.0 tonnes of gold. Planned production for 2026 is over 5.7 tonnes of gold and 11,400 tonnes of copper.

LXML is now positioning itself for future growth. With assets in both gold and copper with a number of feasibility studies, a ramp up in exploration activity is 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 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. Pressure Oxidation and double refractory gold processing experience would be considered a special asset for candidates having proven success in these areas. Additionally, specific experience in crushing/grinding and flotation for double refractory gold ores is desired as well. Process control automation is also a large focus to improve at Sepon. Preference would be given to candidates with experience in the above areas.

Key Responsibilities:

• Implementing improvement initiatives and driving metallurgical performance opportunity. Flotation recovery while rejecting acid-consuming minerals is a large focus.
• 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.
• 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.
• Providing statistical data, i.e. trend analysis, daily analysis, periodical reports. Many deliverables will be required in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• 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 plant including: Crushing, Milling, CCD thickening, Flotation, Atmospheric Leaching, Pressure Oxidation (POx), CIL and elution, Electrowinning (EW), Oxygen plant, Tailings/Neutralisation, Water treatment.
• 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 01/08/2026.

• Only shortlisted candidates will be contact