Chief Metallurgist
HudBay Minerals
Role Title: Chief Metallurgist Reports to: Sr. Engineering Manager Job Type: Full-Time, Regular Location: Cactus Mine, Casa Grande, AZ About Hudbay: Hudbay (TSX, NYSE: HBM) is a copper-focused mining company with three long-life operations and a world-class pipeline of copper growth projects in tier-one mining-friendly jurisdictions of Canada, Peru, and the United States. Hudbay's operating portfolio includes the Constancia mine in Cusco (Peru), the Snow Lake operations in Manitoba (Canada) and the Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia (Canada). Copper is the primary metal produced by the Company, which is complemented by meaningful gold production and by-product zinc, silver and molybdenum. Hudbay's growth pipeline includes the Copper World project in Arizona (United States), the Cactus project in Arizona (United States), the Mason project in Nevada (United States), the Llaguen project in La Libertad (Peru) and several expansion and exploration opportunities near its existing operations. The value Hudbay creates and the impact it has is embodied in its purpose statement: "We care about our people, our communities, and our planet. Hudbay provides the metals the world needs. We work sustainably, transform lives, and create better futures for communities." Hudbay's mission is to create sustainable value and strong returns by leveraging its core strengths in community relations, focused exploration, mine development and efficient operations. Mission: To create sustainable value and strong returns by leveraging our core strengths in community relations, focused exploration, mine development and efficient operations. Purpose of Role: The Hudbay Cactus project is proposing to construct a new copper Crush / Leach operation. The Chief Metallurgist provides strategic technical leadership, vision, and operational oversight for all metallurgical, mineral processing, and hydrometallurgical functions across the Cactus Mine Project. Reporting to senior Engineering Manager, this role is responsible for building and mentoring a high-performing metallurgy team, directing key EPCM contractors, leading high-level process optimization, and driving strategic decision-making from detailed engineering through commissioning and operational handover to achieve LME Grade A copper cathode production targets safely and efficiently.
All work will be done with the mindset and values of Hudbay Minerals: We care about our people, our communities and our planet. We value dignity and respect, caring, openness and trustworthiness. ROLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:
All work will be done with the mindset and values of Hudbay Minerals: We care about our people, our communities and our planet. We value dignity and respect, caring, openness and trustworthiness. ROLE ACCOUNTABILITIES:
- Provide overarching strategic and technical leadership for all crushing, stacking, heap leaching, solvent extraction (SX), and electrowinning (EW) operations.
- Direct comprehensive metallurgical testwork programs, flowsheet development, process optimization, and recovery modeling to establish best-in-class operational standards.
- Manage, mentor, and build a high-performing team of metallurgists, engineers, and technicians while overseeing major EPCM consultants and specialized laboratories.
- Establish long-term metallurgical strategy, quality control frameworks, and operational governance to consistently meet LME Grade A copper cathode targets.
- Champion safety, environmental sustainability, and statutory regulatory compliance across all processing designs, operational procedures, and site practices.
- Drive executive-level technical decision-making, trade-off evaluations, value engineering initiatives, and risk mitigation strategies across hydrometallurgical disciplines.
- Lead operational readiness, pre-commissioning, commissioning, and seamless transition planning from project execution to full-scale commercial operations.
- Formulate and govern departmental OPEX and CAPEX budgets, ensuring optimal resource allocation, cost control, and strategic financial management.
- Lead metallurgical technical inputs for tollgate reviews, feasibility studies, executive presentations, and corporate strategic planning sessions.
- Oversee major equipment procurement strategies, technical bid evaluations (TBA), vendor alignment, and contract negotiations for critical processing infrastructure.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement, technological innovation, automation, and sustainable processing initiatives.
- Establish organizational frameworks, standard operating procedures (SOPs), workforce training programs, and talent pipeline development for processing personnel.
- Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mineral Processing, or related field.
- Minimum 15+ years of progressive metallurgical engineering and technical management experience in large-scale mining operations or major project development, with at least 5+ years in senior leadership or managerial roles.
- Minimum 3+ years of experience in heap leach and SX/EW copper operations.
- Proven executive leadership capabilities with extensive technical expertise in copper hydrometallurgy, heap leaching, and SX/EW processing.
- Demonstrated success in leading multi-disciplinary technical teams, driving operational excellence, and managing complex project flowsheets.
- Strategic financial acumen, including budget development, CAPEX/OPEX control, contract negotiation, and resource management.
- Comprehensive knowledge of Safety in Design (SID), MSHA/OSHA regulations, environmental compliance, and risk management frameworks.
- Master's degree in Metallurgical Engineering or Chemical Engineering.
- Professional Engineer (P.E.) license or equivalent professional registration.
- At Hudbay, our values of Dignity & Respect, Caring, Openness, and Trustworthiness are embedded into our culture by the way we work and how we interact with one another.
- We pride ourselves in providing our employees with competitive total rewards that include:
- Annual performance bonuses
- Affordable medical, dental and vision benefits for you and your family
- Company paid Life insurance, AD&D, Short- & Long-term Disability
- 401(k) plan with employer contribution
- An Employee Share Purchase Plan with contribution matching
- Employee Assistance Program
- Tuition Assistance
- Paid time off, paid sick time and holiday pay
- Regular performance appraisals to acknowledge our employees for their contributions, strengths and work well done.
Vacancy posted 2 days ago
Similar jobs that could be interesting for youBased on the Chief Metallurgist in Casa Grande, AZ vacancy
- SUMMARY:The Production Manager directs, plans, and coordinates activities concerned with production and establishes production priorities in keeping with effective operations and cost factors. Partner with the Plant Manager to establish and implement company policies, operational...SuggestedHourly payLocal areaFlexible hours
$78k - $156k
Job ID: 31160058Company: Abbott LaboratoriesLocation: United States - Arizona - Casa GrandeJob Type: Full timeCategory: OperationsIndustry: HealthcarePosted Date: 2026-08-28Abbott is a global healthcare leader that helps people live more fully at all stages of life. Our...SuggestedWorldwideShift workDay shift
Do you want to receive more vacancies?
Subscribe and receive similar vacancies to Chief Metallurgist. Be the first to apply!
Related searches
