Principal, Mineral Processing & Ore Body Knowledge at AngloGold Ashanti

Role Overview

• Do you work in a lab or on a plant and want to step into the owner’s seat? This is that role. As Principal Metallurgist, you will use your knowledge of ore, minerals and processing to help our gold operations get more from every tonne they mine.
• You will sit at the heart of our technical team in Johannesburg, advising mine sites and projects and linking geology, mining and processing into one clear picture. It is a new position, so you will help shape how it works from day one.
• Geometallurgy simply means linking what the rock is made of with how it behaves in the plant. When we understand the ore body well, we can plan better, recover more gold and solve problems before they become expensive. You will bring that understanding to every part of our business, from a single plant issue to a major project decision.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead specialist work in geometallurgy and mineral processing that helps our mines understand their ore and improve recovery and performance.
• Advise business units and functions on how ore characteristics affect plant performance and plans.
• Support sites and projects with expert input into plant troubleshooting, optimisation and business planning.
• Bring geology, geotechnical, mining, processing, engineering, tailings and projects together into a joined-up view of the full mining value chain.
• Drive business improvement and change across our operations.
• Build strong links with vendors, research institutions and industry bodies.
• Contribute as an active member of the wider technical team.
• Support teams across the business with broad geometallurgy and processing expertise, drawing on your plant and process background.
• Work with our senior metallurgy leaders to turn ore body knowledge into practical plans for sites and projects.
• Model safe working, and support incident reviews when needed.
• Help sites use ore body knowledge to improve plant performance and plan with confidence.
• Share your expertise through clear advice and hands-on support for sites and projects.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in geology, geometallurgy, metallurgical engineering, process engineering, chemical engineering or a related field.
• A proven track record in operational production, technical management and business improvement.
• Gold mining experience.
• A deep, practical understanding of the full mining value chain, from the ground to the finished product.
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally and often.
• Advantageous: a master’s degree or PhD in mineral processing, metallurgy or geometallurgy.
• Hands-on experience in operations, ideally moving from a laboratory or plant role towards an owner’s role.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong technical knowledge of mineral processing, geometallurgy and ore characterisation.
• Practical experience in global change management and business improvement.
• The confidence to advise and influence senior leaders and site teams.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Clear communication across disciplines, from geologists to plant managers.
• A positive, energetic approach and a drive to perform.
• A genuine interest in learning, and the confidence to step up into a broader, more strategic role.
• The ability to explain technical ideas clearly to people who are not specialists.

Work Environment and Expectations

• Sites are safety-sensitive environments. You will model our safety values and follow site rules at all times.
• You will work closely with the Director and Group Principal Metallurgist.
• This is a new position, so you will help define how it works.

Benefits Summary

• AngloGold Ashanti offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package designed to support employees’ health, financial security, and overall well-being.
• Medical insurance, employee assistance programmes, and wellbeing initiatives.
• Company-supported pension or provident fund contributions.
• Annual leave, sick leave, and public holidays in line with company policy.