Mechanical Engineer (Zinc Concentrator)

Role Purpose

The Mechanical Engineer is responsible for providing professional mechanical engineering support to ensure safe, reliable and cost-effective operation of the zinc concentrator.

The role drives equipment reliability, asset integrity, maintenance strategy and engineering standards across crushing, grinding, flotation, thickening, filtration, materials handling and utilities. The position supports commissioning, ramp-up and steady-state operations while embedding a proactive reliability culture aligned to safety, environmental and production requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Mechanical Engineering & Asset Management

• Provide engineering support across fixed plant systems including crushers, mills, pumps, conveyors, flotation, filtration and utilities.
• Ensure all mechanical systems are designed, operated and maintained to engineering standards and statutory requirements.
• Support full asset lifecycle management from selection through to replacement.
• Review and approve mechanical designs, specifications and modifications.
• Ensure asset integrity through structured inspections and engineering governance.

Maintenance & Reliability Engineering

• Develop and optimise preventative and predictive maintenance strategies.
• Conduct root cause failure analysis (RCFA) on critical equipment failures.
• Drive improvements in equipment availability, reliability and maintainability.
• Support and embed condition monitoring programmes (vibration, oil analysis, thermography).
• Support development of maintenance plans, task lists and job standards aligned to reliability principles.

Safety, Health & Environmental Compliance

• Ensure compliance with MHSA, engineering standards and site HSE requirements.
• Identify and manage mechanical and engineering-related risks.
• Participate in incident investigations and implement corrective actions.
• Enforce safe work practices including lock-out, isolation and permit systems.
• Ensure compliance with management of change (MOC) processes.

Operational & Production Support

• Provide on-the-floor engineering support to minimise production losses.
• Work closely with operations, maintenance and planning teams to resolve equipment-related constraints.
• Support plant start-ups, shutdowns and ramp-up activities.
• Assist in distinguishing between process, mechanical and operational issues impacting performance.
• Participate in daily production and performance review forums.

Projects & Commissioning

• Support commissioning activities (C3–C5), including equipment readiness, testing and optimisation.
• Provide input into capital projects, plant upgrades and debottlenecking initiatives.
• Prepare scopes of work and technical specifications.
• Manage contractors and ensure delivery against safety, quality and schedule requirements.
• Support equipment handover into operations with defined maintenance strategies.

Budget & Cost Control

• Support preparation and control of maintenance and capital budgets.
• Monitor maintenance cost performance and spares consumption.
• Identify cost optimisation opportunities without compromising reliability.
• Support OEM engagement and contract performance.

Technical Leadership & Mentorship

• Provide technical guidance to supervisors, artisans and planners.
• Support development of engineering capability within the team.
• Promote engineering standards, best practices and continuous improvement.
• Participate in engineering audits and technical reviews.

Reporting & Engineering Governance

• Compile technical reports, failure analyses and performance dashboards.
• Maintain engineering drawings, documentation and asset registers.
• Ensure compliance with statutory inspections and engineering governance standards.
• Support internal and external audits.

Qualifications & Experience

• Degree or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering.
• Minimum 5–8 years' experience in mining or heavy industrial environments.
• Strong experience with fixed plant equipment including crushers, mills, pumps, conveyors, flotation and filtration systems.
• Solid understanding of maintenance and asset management principles.

Desirable

• Experience in zinc or base metal concentrators.
• GCC (Mines & Works) or working towards certification.
• Experience with CMMS and reliability systems.
• Exposure to commissioning and plant ramp-up.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong mechanical engineering and troubleshooting capability
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• High safety awareness and risk management discipline
• Project and contractor management capability
• Cost awareness and commercial acumen
• Strong communication and reporting skills

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Equipment availability and reliability
• Breakdown frequency and downtime reduction
• Maintenance cost performance
• Safety performance and audit compliance
• Project delivery (scope, cost, schedule)
• Asset integrity and engineering standard compliance