Job Description

Ready to build a rewarding career in an industry that is transforming the future?

Who We Are

We are Vale Base Metals – a global supplier of the critical minerals transforming the future.

With industry-leading reserves of copper and nickel in Canada, Brazil, and Indonesia, and state-of-the-art infrastructure in the U.K., Canada, and Japan, VBM delivers a secure and responsible supply of high-quality products to customers across Europe, the Americas, and Asia.

Global demand for critical minerals is growing exponentially. From energy to aerospace, batteries to magnets, robotics to artificial intelligence, a secure and responsible supply of critical minerals is fundamental to power modern technologies. And at Vale Base Metals, we are transforming our business to provide a secure and responsible supply of these minerals.

Join our diverse team of 13,000 talented individuals committed to providing mineral security to a world in transition. We invite you to put your skills to work, driving meaningful and enduring change while enjoying a rewarding career.

The Opportunity

We are currently seeking a Chemical / Metallurgical Engineer to join our Port Colborne Refinery in Port Colborne, Ontario. This is a permanent position. This posting is for an existing vacancy.

The Chemical/Metallurgical Engineer provides technical support to the Refinery and Processing Plant Operations and Maintenance teams, focusing on safety, process optimization, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement. Working closely with the Process Technology Section Leader and Operations teams, this role is responsible for advancing plant performance through technical analysis, project execution, research and development initiatives, and implementation of best practices. The position requires strong collaboration skills and the ability to work effectively across multiple departments in a dynamic industrial environment.

Additionally, in this position you will:

• Lead and support process troubleshooting, optimization, and improvement initiatives to enhance plant performance, reliability, and efficiency.
• Manage and execute research and development projects, including preparing technical evaluations and business cases aligned with operational priorities.
• Participate in project management, commissioning activities, process hazard reviews, management of change (MOC) assessments, and procedure development.
• Apply engineering expertise in hydrometallurgical processes, including leaching, precipitation, filtration, thickening, process control, and mass balance calculations.
• Monitor, analyze, and report on key performance indicators, recommending corrective actions to improve safety, quality, and production results.
• Support production planning activities, including budgets, capital plans, operating schedules, and long-term business planning.
• Review and support metals accounting, process reporting, production reconciliation, and reagent consumption tracking.
• Collaborate across functional teams to achieve business objectives while promoting safety, operational excellence, and the development of junior team members.

What We Offer You

• Competitive compensation including a variable annual incentive plan
• Participation in a competitive Defined Contribution Pension package
• Comprehensive benefits package (company paid core coverage, health and dental coverage, flex accounts, disability plans and optional insurances)
• Leave for all of life’s reasons (vacation, personal, sick, parental)
• Work culture dedicated to safety, diversity & inclusion, and career growth
• Employee Family Assistance Program
• Virtual Healthcare online
• Online training and career development opportunities

About You

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Chemical or Metallurgical Engineering.
• Professional Engineering Designation (P.Eng.) preferred. Engineering Trainees (Formerly EIT) will be considered.

Experience:

• Experience in hydrometallurgy or chemical industry is preferred.

Skills:

• Knowledge of relatable technical material and theories in process engineering/hydrometallurgy.
• Proven ability to perform complex technical work with minimal supervision.
• Excellent problem solving and analytical skills.
• Lead by example and demonstrate genuine care.
• Demonstrate positive leadership, while inspiring and developing team members to achieve consistent quality results.
• Value, build and maintain strong working relationships with peers and team members.
• Work collaboratively with all areas of the business to foster innovation by encouraging everyone to express their ideas and opinions.
• Identify the impact and role of stakeholders and engage to earn support.
• Act with integrity and respect.

Why Port Colborne

Located on the beautiful north shore of Lake Erie, Port Colborne is an important industrial hub known for its maritime heritage. Our refinery processes nickel, copper, cobalt, and precious metals and the facility is crucial for refining these metals to high purity levels. Our operations support the local economy and reinforces Canada's position as a key supplier of the critical minerals transforming the future. The refinery's commitment to environmental sustainability and technological innovation underscores Vale Base Metals' dedication to responsible mining and refining practices.

Include to Transform

At Vale Base Metals, we are committed to ensuring an inclusive work environment where people can act like owners, being their authentic selves and empowering them to deliver results. Vale Base Metals encourages everyone to express their ideas and opinions and values the plurality of individual profiles. We want our people to feel that all voices are heard, all cultures respected and that a variety of perspectives are not only welcome – they are critical to our success. We treat each other fairly and with dignity regardless of race, gender, nationality, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, or any other personal consideration that makes us different.

Vale is an equal opportunity employer seeking to increase diversity across our operations and improve equal opportunity at Vale and in the mining industry.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, accommodation is available throughout our recruitment process for applicants with disabilities.

Employees engaged by the Company must be lawfully able to work for the Company in the country where the role is located. The Company does not provide immigration, work permit, or permanent residence sponsorship or assistance.

Vale uses artificial intelligence to screen, assess, and/or select applicants for this position.

Pay Grade: The candidate's experience will determine placement within the pay band

Minimum Starting Salary: $100,000

Apply by: September 11, 2026

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