Senior Metallurgist - Stockpile Characterization

Freeport-McMoRan • Phoenix, AZ

122d • $101,000 - $141,000

About The Position

This is a pivotal role supporting the Stockpile Characterization Manager in establishing and executing a formalized, auditable stockpile characterization process to support the Leach to the Last Drop (L2LD) project’s copper recovery improvement initiatives. This position is critical in enabling the validation of the Previously-Assumed-Unrecoverable (PAU) Copper model by overseeing day-to-day in-field activities related to planning, sampling, handling, logistics, sample preparation, and assaying for all leaching operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgy, Chemistry or related Engineering discipline and five (5) years of experience in Metallurgy or related scientific field OR Master’s degree in Metallurgy, Chemistry or related Engineering discipline and three (3) years of experience in Metallurgy or related scientific field.
• Proficiency in sampling methodologies, assaying, and laboratory analysis for stockpile characterization.
• Familiarity with stockpile modeling software and data integration tools.
• Knowledge of sensoring technologies for precision leaching.
• Strong understanding of metallurgical principles and their application to copper recovery.
• Experience working in-field with cross-functional teams, including geology, engineering, and operations.
• Ability to coordinate with external contractors and manage logistics.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to collaborate with stakeholders, document processes, and present technical findings.
• Proven ability to troubleshoot operational challenges and implement effective solutions under tight deadlines.
• Detail-oriented with a focus on data accuracy and process optimization.
• Collaborative team player with strong interpersonal skills to manage diverse stakeholders.
• Analytical mindset with expertise in applying first principles to solve complex problems.
• Commitment to safety, environmental compliance, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

• Assist in developing and implementing day-to-day procedures for stockpile characterization, including planning, sampling, sample handling, logistics, preparation, and assaying.
• Maintain a significant in-field presence to liaise with and coordinate stakeholders, including drill planning teams, geologists, engineers, leaching operations, drilling contractors, in-field labor, and laboratories.
• Oversee execution of characterization activities, troubleshooting and resolving issues to ensure seamless operations and adherence to committed turnaround times.
• Collaborate with the Stockpile Characterization Manager to prioritize characterization activities on stockpiles critical to L2LD initiatives, mitigating risks associated with impact assumptions.
• Support the integration of characterization data into L2LD workplans to quantify and validate recovery improvements.
• Work closely with the instrumentation team to establish sensoring standards for new material placements.
• Contribute to characterizing ore properties and quantifying the impact of L2LD initiatives through sensor-driven data collection and analysis.
• Apply strong metallurgical knowledge to evaluate and enhance data quality, developing methodologies to quantify L2LD impacts using first principles.
• Document processes by compiling SOPs, protocols, and technical papers to ensure compliance with a formalized, auditable stockpile characterization process.

Benefits

• The estimated annual pay range for this role is currently $101,000-$141,000.
• Affordable medical, dental and vision benefits.
• Company-paid life and disability insurance.
• 401(k) plan with employer contribution/match.
• Paid time off, paid sick time, holiday pay, parental leave.
• Tuition Assistance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Discounted insurance plans for auto, home and pet.
• Internal progression opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree