Head of Refinery Operations

Department/Unit:

Reporting To

Direct Reports:

Job Purpose/Summary:

Key Responsibilities & Duties:

• Operational Management: Oversee daily refinery operations, including cell house management, electrolyte preparation and circulation, anode charging, and cathode harvesting, to meet production and quality targets.
• Process Optimization: Continuously monitor and analyze refining process parameters (e.g., current density, electrolyte composition, temperature) to optimize efficiency, energy consumption, and copper purity.
• Production Planning: Work with O&M Head to develop and implement daily, weekly, and monthly production plans for the refinery.
• Safety & Environment: Ensure strict adherence to all safety protocols (especially related to chemical handling and electrical hazards), environmental regulations, and waste management procedures within the refinery.
• Quality Control: Collaborate with the Quality Control department to ensure copper cathodes meet stringent purity specifications and resolve any quality deviations.
• Resource Management: Optimize consumption of chemicals, power, and water. Manage manpower and equipment effectively within the refinery
• Troubleshooting: Lead the identification and resolution of complex operational issues, cell abnormalities (e.g., short circuits, passivity), and equipment malfunctions.
• Team Leadership: Lead, mentor, and develop Refinery Shift In-charges and other operational staff. Foster a culture of continuous improvement and operational discipline.
• Maintenance Coordination: Liaise closely with the Maintenance team for planning and execution of refinery equipment maintenance, anode casting, and solution purification.
• Reporting: Prepare comprehensive operational reports, analyze performance data, and present findings and recommendations to the O&M Head.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Copper Cathode Production Volume (Tons/Month)
• Copper Cathode Purity (%)
• Current Efficiency (%)
• Energy Consumption per Ton of Cathode
• Refinery Downtime (Planned vs.Unplanned)
• Electrolyte Quality Adherence
• Safety Incidents in Refinery

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgical Engineering or Chemical Engineering.

Required Experience:

• 15+ years of experience in copper electrolytic refining operations, with at least 5-7 years in a leadership/managerial role within a refinery.
• Extensive knowledge of cell house operations, electrolyte management, solution purification, and anode casting.

Required Skills:

• In-depth knowledge of hydrometallurgy, electrochemistry, and refining process control.
• Strong leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent decision-making abilities, especially under pressure.
• Proficiency in process optimization techniques.
• Solid understanding of industrial safety and environmental regulations (especially chemical handling).
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.

Locations