Principal Process Engineer SO²Abatement
Role Profile
GENERAL DETAILS
Role Title
Principal Process Engineer SO²Abatement Location
Department
Processing
GBF Band
GBF5 (LOW 3)
Reports to (manager)
Head of Smelting & Platinum Refining
Type of Work
Specialist Support
Manager once removed
Group Head of Processing
Date
2017-04-21
Johannesburg, SA
CONTEXT
Processing’s purpose is to ensure that we realise the full potential of the resource endowed to us as a key part of
the full value chain. The central processing function is accountable for thought leadership in the field of
processing, process optimisation, and technical specialization in the various unit processes across the business in
order to maximise the potential of the endowment and capital deployed. Central Processing is accountable to be
operationally relevant through the deployment of value accretive or risk mitigated solutions in operating business
units
PURPOSE
The Principal Process Engineer will be directly responsible for coordinating the function of the process
engineering team, to oversee and guide the development and execution of process engineering deliverables,
operational readiness, commissioning and ramp up plans, ensuring they meet the project’s scope, delivered on
schedule and budget, and meet quality standards. Develop solutions in all areas of the process plant across
various systems, unit operations and process equipment. Liaise with other disciplines to ensure the process intent
of the plant is maintained throughout the design life.
TYPICAL TASKS
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Lead the process engineering component of scoping, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies for projects;
managing scope, schedule and budget for the process engineering team.
Clear understanding of the project requirements in relation to scope, cost and schedule.
Direct and guide the development of process engineering deliverables and tasks including: test work
definition, design basis, design criteria, mass and energy balance, capacity studies, trade-off studies,
engineering and equipment calculations, piping and instrumentations diagrams, process control logic, and
operating and capital cost estimates.
Collaborate with the project/study team to ensure full, appropriate communication and coordination in the
achievement of the process objectives.
Review of capital cost estimate and development of operational cost estimate.
Design and develop the chemical process and appropriate document flow sheets.
Ensure process specifications portray the appropriate information and design intent.
Responsible for maintaining and adherence to the process engineering standards.
Develop and lead the process engineering requirements of operational readiness, commissioning, and
operational ramp-up of equipment and systems to ultimately handover to site operations, to secure
sustainable achievement of the process design intent in terms of throughput and quality.
Lead initiatives to solve common-cause problems
Techno-economic assessment towards value-chain optimisation
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This role profile acts as a guide to the role only and additional work outcomes may be required to be performed by the incumbent
ROLE RELATIONSHIPS
Managerially Accountable to: Head of Smelting & Platinum Refining
Key Internal Relationships:
 Business Units General Managers, Production Managers, Technical Managers, Executive, Senior Leadership
and Operational Teams
 Group/Function/Discipline Heads and Peers (Operations, Asset Strategy & Reliability, Geoscience, Mining,
etc.)
 Technical/laboratory personnel and implementation teams across the Group
Key External Relationships:
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Technical experts and equipment suppliers
Contractors, Consultants and external service providers
Direct Reports (if applicable): TBC
CAPABILITY REQUIRED TO DO THE ROLE
Mental Processing Ability This work involves systems thinking to construct models that help to understand the
design of the system. It involves discerning a trend from a flow of significant, real
events to design and construct a system in a single field to cope with it. The system
may need to be altered as the trend changes.
Application/Energy
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Knowledge
Consistently displays a positive and engaged manner
Motivated and driven to meet high standards of delivery which create high
customer approval
Remains focused in times of uncertainty and ambiguity
Displays considerable personal effort to improve
Formal qualifications:
 An undergraduate qualification (Bachelors / Honours degree or equivalent)
in a relevant technical discipline (Chemical/Metallurgical Engineering, or
equivalent)
 Desirable: A postgraduate qualification (Masters / Doctoral degree or
equivalent) in a relevant technical discipline OR a proven track record of
extensive practical experience in a role and context of similar complexity
Role-specific knowledge:
 A demonstrated thought leader with considerable chemical and metallurgical
expertise, process engineering experience in process operations or
engineering contracting/consultancy organisations
 A track record in process optimisation, also across the mining value chain,
using recognised optimisation and implementation methodologies.
 Skilled in techno-economic assessment
 Demonstrated expertise in flowsheet development, including laboratory and
pilot plant evaluations
 Experienced in the development and execution of capital projects in line with
recognised methodology and practice
 Experience in the development and execution of plans of operational
readiness, commissioning and ramp up leading to successful achievement
of process project throughput and quality requirements
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This role profile acts as a guide to the role only and additional work outcomes may be required to be performed by the incumbent
Safety:
 Provides consistent outstanding behaviour in relation to safety practices with
a deep understanding of the importance of safety, especially process safety.
Knowledge
Formal qualifications:
 An undergraduate qualification (Bachelors / Honours degree or equivalent)
in a relevant technical discipline (Chemical/Metallurgical Engineering, or
equivalent)
 Desirable: A postgraduate qualification (Masters / Doctoral degree or
equivalent) in a relevant technical discipline OR a proven track record of
extensive practical experience in a role and context of similar complexity
Role-specific knowledge:
 A demonstrated thought leader with considerable chemical and metallurgical
expertise, process engineering experience in process operations or
engineering contracting/consultancy organisations
 A track record in process optimisation, also across the mining value chain,
using recognised optimisation and implementation methodologies.
 Skilled in techno-economic assessment
 Demonstrated expertise in flowsheet development, including laboratory and
pilot plant evaluations
 Experienced in the development and execution of capital projects in line with
recognised methodology and practice
 Experience in the development and execution of plans of operational
readiness, commissioning and ramp up leading to successful achievement
of process project throughput and quality requirements
Safety:
 Provides consistent outstanding behaviour in relation to safety practices with
a deep understanding of the importance of safety, especially process safety.
Technical Skills
Social Process Skills
Ability to:
 Solve technical and operational issues in cooperation with relevant stakeholders.
Implement the most effective solutions to drive efficiencies
 Ability to manage cost and timing associated with specific projects
 Demonstrate strong leadership skills
 Demonstrate expertise in understanding of workflows in the execution of projects
 Ability to manage individuals to attain quality, cost and schedule objectives
 A high degree of understanding of interdisciplinary dependencies related to the
discipline
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Well-developed communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
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Effectively influence and manage relationships with key internal and external
stakeholders to achieve required outcomes
Ability to facilitate agreement and co-operation using a diplomatic and open
approach
Effective in working with diverse teams and sensitive to local social, political
and cultural realities
Comfortably interacts across all mediums of interaction i.e. face to face vs. virtual
interactions with team and stakeholders
Uses networks in all stages of decision making to ensure decisions are not made
in isolation, though not to the extent that would be seen as abdicating
responsibility
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Any other requirements
to perform the work
effectively?
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Occasional international and regular local travel to sites will be required
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Document1
This role profile acts as a guide to the role only and additional work outcomes may be required to be performed by the incumbent
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Document1
This role profile acts as a guide to the role only and additional work outcomes may be required to be performed by the incumbent