Bilboes Gold Mine Project | Zimbabwe
The Valcol Group is privileged to represent and partner with Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc in providing executive recruitment services for the current development of the Bilboes Gold Mine Project.
The Bilboes Gold Mine, once operational, is expected to become Zimbabwe’s largest gold mine, representing a landmark investment in the country’s mining sector and a significant development within the African gold mining industry.
As the project progresses, we have reopened the search for an exceptional Process Manager to provide senior technical and operational leadership across the processing function.
We invite highly qualified, experienced, and accomplished Zimbabwean mining professionals only with the technical depth, project experience and leadership capability required to contribute to the successful development, commissioning, and long-term operation of this major gold asset.
AN EXCEPTIONAL SENIOR-LEVEL OPPORTUNITY
This opportunity is directed specifically towards senior Chemical or Metallurgical Engineering professionals with a proven track record in large-scale gold processing, mine development, plant commissioning and operational optimisation.
Candidates should bring substantial practical experience across the processing value chain, together with the ability to operate effectively at both strategic and detailed technical levels.
Previous candidates who participated in the earlier recruitment process remain under consideration and do not need to reapply.
At the same time, new applications are invited from suitably qualified professionals who meet or exceed the requirements outlined below.
Main Purpose of the Job
To provide senior technical and operational leadership for the design, implementation, commissioning, and optimisation of gold processing systems across the Bilboes processing value chain.
The Process Manager will act as the Owner’s representative during project development and commissioning phases and will subsequently drive safe, efficient, reliable and cost-effective processing operations, with a strong focus on gold recovery, plant performance, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Design & Commissioning
- Review and approve process deliverables including Process Flow Diagrams (PFDs), Piping and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs), datasheets and control narratives.
- Supervise the installation, commissioning, and start-up of processing equipment.
- Ensure compliance with QA/QC requirements and applicable safety standards.
- Develop commissioning plans, ramp-up curves, and readiness-to-operate programmes.
- Specify instrumentation and advanced process-control system requirements.
- Provide technical leadership during commissioning, ramp-up and optimisation.
Operations Support & Optimisation
- Monitor plant performance and troubleshoot process issues to optimise efficiency, recoveries, and operating costs.
- Implement Statistical Process Control (SPC) strategies and embed improvements through effective Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
- Lead metallurgical accounting, mass-balance reconciliation, and variance investigations.
- Identify and implement corrective and continuous-improvement initiatives.
- Drive production and recovery targets through effective process optimisation.
Safety, Health & Environment (SHE)
- Implement systems and standards designed to achieve zero harm.
- Ensure compliance with applicable international SHE standards and project requirements.
- Monitor and manage contractor SHE performance against agreed standards.
- Promote a strong safety culture throughout processing operations.
Cost & Resource Management
- Control processing unit costs, including US$/t and US$/oz, against approved budgets.
- Optimise energy, water, and other processing-resource consumption.
- Monitor contractor performance against Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
- Prepare cost forecasts and variance analyses.
- Negotiate supplier and service contracts to achieve operational efficiencies and cost savings.
- Develop and implement strategies for optimisation of consumables.
Risk, Compliance & Business Continuity
- Identify and implement appropriate risk-mitigation measures in accordance with international standards.
- Conduct and manage cybersecurity risk assessments relating to process-control systems.
- Ensure compliance with ESG and sustainability requirements.
- Support insurance audits and maintain appropriate coverage for critical processing assets.
- Develop and maintain business-continuity plans for significant process interruptions.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE
- BSc (Hons) in Metallurgical Engineering or Chemical Engineering.
- 10+ years’ experience in gold processing design, commissioning, and operations
- Biological Oxidation (BIOX) experience is an added advantage.
- Extensive experience in large-scale mining construction and processing projects incorporating crushing, milling, flotation and downstream metal extraction processes.
- Strong knowledge of advanced metallurgical processes, process control, and optimisation.
- Demonstrable project management experience.
- Proven experience in commissioning and ramp-up of major processing facilities.
- Strong commercial and operational understanding of processing costs, recoveries and plant performance.
- Assertive, decisive and effective communication and leadership skills.
THE IDEAL CANDIDATE
- The successful candidate will be an accomplished senior mining professional who has operated successfully within complex processing environments and can demonstrate a combination of:
- Technical expertise | Project development | Commissioning | BIOX experience (added advantage) | Gold recovery | Process optimisation | Operational leadership | Safety | Cost management
- Candidates are encouraged to ensure that their CV clearly demonstrates the specific experience and achievements relevant to the above requirements.
- Senior applicants should provide a comprehensive Word-format CV detailing their career history, processing experience, major projects, commissioning exposure and relevant BIOX experience.
CONFIDENTIAL APPLICATIONS
Applications should be submitted in confidence to:
Colin Roberts, Lead Consultant – The Valcol Group
Please ensure that your CV clearly identifies your relevant gold-processing, project, commissioning and BIOX experience.
STRICT RECRUITMENT PROTOCOL
The Valcol Group has been exclusively mandated to manage this recruitment process.
Accordingly, all applications, enquiries and approaches relating to this position must be directed through The Valcol Group.
Any direct approach, canvassing or submission of CVs to Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc outside the authorised recruitment process may result in immediate disqualification from consideration.
Only candidates meeting the required senior-level technical and experience criteria will be considered.