Metallurgist

Job Location: Lihir Island
Workplace Type:   Onsite    
Recruiter Name: Caitlin Farley  
Pay Grade: Level 1    
Closing Date:

About Lihir

Lihir is one of the world's largest gold mining operations, located on Niolam Island in Papua New Guinea's New Ireland Province. The operation is renowned for its unique volcanic landscape and combines world-class mining and processing with a strong commitment to safety, sustainability,  innovation and technical excellence.

The operation combines open-pit mining and gold processing in a remote island setting, supported by modern facilities and a culture focused on improving daily.

At Lihir, you'll be part of a team that is deeply connected to the island and the communities that call it home. We are committed to creating lasting benefits through local employment, training, scholarships and apprenticeship programs, while fostering a workplace where people look out for one another and succeed together.

With a culture grounded in safety, respect and delivering responsibly, Lihir offers the opportunity to develop your career while contributing to an operation that plays an important role in Papua New Guinea's economic and social development.

##### Your Impact

As a Metallurgist, you'll provide technical support and metallurgical expertise to help achieve optimum and cost-effective plant performance within Processing while maximising gold recovery. You'll work closely with operational and maintenance teams to analyse performance, support plant stability, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

##### As part of our team, you will

- Provide technical support to Processing Operations through metallurgical analysis, reporting and performance evaluation of plant circuits, equipment and systems.
- Collaborate with maintenance teams to improve process plant equipment and instrument performance and availability.
- Support plant stability by working closely with operational personnel and key stakeholders across the business.
- Design, manage and execute plant trials, surveys and metallurgical test work to support operational performance and improvement initiatives.
- Identify process improvement and cost reduction opportunities while supporting safe and effective metallurgical performance outcomes.

##### Prerequisites for your success in this role

- Bachelor's degree in Mineral Processing, Metallurgy or a related discipline.
- Experience as a site-based metallurgist in a mining or mineral processing environment.
- Demonstrated knowledge of metallurgical processes, laboratory operations and metallurgical accounting within a large-scale mining environment.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and planning skills, with the ability to work autonomously and manage competing priorities.
- Effective communication, interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, with proficiency in Microsoft Office and process monitoring systems.

##### Your work environment

This role is offered on a 21:21 Fly-in, Fly-out (FIFO) roster to Lihir Island, Papua New Guinea.

Our FIFO employees stay in a secure and comfortable camp environment, with ensuite, air-conditioned accommodation equipped with a mini fridge, television and Wi-Fi. A variety of nutritious meal options are available through the on-site catering facilities, while recreational and social amenities provide opportunities to relax and connect with colleagues while on roster.

Based at Lihir within the Process Plant Metallurgy team, this role reports to the Supervisor Metallurgy and has no direct reports. The role works closely with Processing, Maintenance and other technical stakeholders to support metallurgical performance and operational outcomes.

##### Why join Newmont

Lihir is one of the world's largest producing gold mines and one of Newmont's most significant operations.

Working at Lihir means joining a high-performing team committed to safety, operational excellence and delivering sustainable value for our people, communities and business.

Eligible employees may benefit from:
•    Competitive salary and annual performance incentive opportunities.
•    Company-funded FIFO travel and modern camp accommodation.
•    Access to health, wellbeing and employee assistance programs.
•    Ongoing learning, technical development and leadership training opportunities.
•    Exposure to large-scale mining operations and industry-leading technologies.
•    Career opportunities across Newmont's Australian, Papua New Guinean and global operations.
•    Access to a diverse range of on-site recreational, dining and wellbeing facilities.
•    The opportunity to be part of a workplace where safety, inclusion and growth are at the centre of everything we do.

Submit your application through our website quoting reference number 43425 before the advertised closing date: 8 October 2026.

We are seeking a motivated Metallurgist to join our Processing team at Lihir Gold Mine, one of the world's largest gold mining operations.

As a Metallurgist, you will play a critical role in optimizing plant performance and maximizing gold recovery. Working closely with Processing Operations, Maintenance, and Mining teams, you will provide technical support, troubleshoot metallurgical issues, and drive continuous improvement initiatives to achieve production and budget targets.

This is an exciting opportunity for an early to mid-career metallurgist looking to develop their technical expertise within a large-scale, complex gold processing operation.

Key Responsibilities

- Monitor and optimize plant performance to maximize gold production and recovery.

- Ensure operating parameters and metallurgical targets are achieved.

- Provide technical guidance and support to Operations teams.

- Investigate and resolve metallurgical and process-related issues.

- Collaborate with Mining teams to support ore planning and ore delivery.

- Analyze plant performance data and identify improvement opportunities.

- Develop and recommend process optimization initiatives.

- Support metallurgical accounting, reporting, and reconciliation activities.

- Contribute to achieving production, recovery, safety, and cost objectives.

About You

You are a collaborative and analytical professional with a passion for continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Required Qualifications & Experience

- Bachelor's degree in metallurgical engineering, Mineral Processing, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.

- 3–10 years' experience in a metallurgical or mineral processing environment, preferably within gold processing.

- Strong understanding of metallurgical processes and plant operations.

- Experience analyzing process data and implementing performance improvements.

- Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.

- Ability to build strong working relationships across Operations, Maintenance, and Mining teams.

- Strong communication and technical reporting skills.

If you feel that you could make a meaningful contribution in this role, we encourage you to discuss this opportunity with your current people leader and how it aligns with your longer term career goals.

To support you in your application, we have created a range of resources available to all Newmont People including information on eligibility criteria and FAQs. Find out more by visiting our page in Discovery: Internal Employee Resources

As a current employee or contractor, please submit your application is MS Word or Adobe format online via the Internal Job Postings link on Discovery.

If you have issues applying through Discovery or would like to learn more about the role before applying, please contact the relevant member of our Talent Acquisition Team.