Job Description

At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

The Plant Controller is responsible for the Safety, Stability and Operation Optimisation of the processing plant during a shift. The role monitors and controls process performance, coordinates operational activities across plant areas, responds to process disturbances, and provides real-time production optimization support while ensuring compliance with safety, environmental and operating standards.

Key Responsibilities

This position will be required to adhere to all requirements, policies, procedures and legal regulations pertaining to safety, health, environment and quality as well as finance, human resources and other regulations as required by the company and relevant to the level of the role and responsibility of the function.

The key responsibility shall be to:

• Operate within and observe all relevant and applicable laws of Zambia.
• Maintain HSE standards and ensure strict compliance within the Process Plant.
• Maintain a very high standard of control room housekeeping.
• Drive Process Plant equipment, people and processes to maximise Copper and Gold production.
• The role has functional shift leadership of field processing Supervisors and Process Plant Control Room Operators.
• Oversee, monitor and control all plant parameters to exceed the KPI targets; Throughput and Recovery and Product Quality.
• Coordinate and pre-empt real-time plant feed rate and ore quality with respect to impacts on plant performance through engagement with mining operations to optimise plant control response.
• Ensure equipment is operated within defined operating strategies and procedures.
• Ensure high utilisation of the plant 'expert' control system and other critical control loops.
• Maintain high utilisation of critical in-line instrumentation & measurement (i.e. PSI & OSA) for real-time performance optimisation.
• Set and maintain high standards of Plant Control (i.e. alarm management, operating by trends, PLC bypass management, Downtime Reason Integrity etc).
• Execute daily operating instructions issued by day leaders (Operations, Metallurgists and Maintenance) and escalate when they cannot be achieved.
• Ensure all appropriate performance deviations are promptly escalated by Supervisors to relevant Superintendents and Managers.
• Assist in oversight of major plant shutdowns, maintenance activities and start-ups.
• Direct the Maintenance Supervisor(s) on Process Plant maintenance priority.
• Coach shift personnel, particularly Shift Supervisors and Control Room Operators in the drive for operational excellence.
• Working closely with maintenance, processing and technical leaders to coordinate and prioritise macro and conflicting activities, to optimise the overall output of the plant.
• Diagnose plant defects and implement corrective measures.
• Ensure production loss events are accurately and thoroughly accounted for by the Control Room Operators.
• Understand impacts of decisions (production, quality, cost & risk) to constantly deliver optimum business solutions.
• Be constantly contactable during shift and be ready to report detailed plant performance status.
• Maintain high level of field presence.
• Be present in relevant meetings.
• Conduct and log detailed handovers to incoming Plant Controller.
• Provide detailed shift plant performance reports.
• Control, report and reduce operational costs and ensure cost consideration taken with all decisions.
• Support water, reagents, energy and utility management.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Qualifications

• Diploma/Degree in Metallurgy, Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering or Process Engineering.
• Data analysis / Excel competency.
• Process Control or DCS training (Advantage)

Experience

• 5 - 10 years of concentrator plant experience.
• At least 2 years of experience in a control room operations role.
• Prior exposure to Mine-to-mill, Crushing, SAG/Ball Milling, Flotation, thickening and tailings handling, and Process water systems.
• Ability to interpret Scada trends, alarms and interlocks.
• Ability to use basic data tools such as excel, PI vision for troubleshooting.
• Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Proven ability to apply process control concepts such as setpoints and loop constraints identification.
• Proven shift coordinator ability, sound operational decision making and coordinate across multiple process areas.

BEHAVIOURAL TRAITS

• Safety-first mindset
• Calm, structured decision-making under pressure
• System-wide thinking
• Proactive communication and ownership

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Computer Literate
• Standby duties
• Working at Heights
• Confined Spaces
• Corrosive and Toxic Substances
• Mobile and Moving equipment

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