SPECIALIST CONSULTANCY OPPORTUNITY | GOLD PROCESSING
Metallurgical Consultant
CIL Gold Processing | Metallurgical Accounting | Plant Performance Optimisation
Plant Capacity: 240 Tonnes Per Day (TPD)
Work Model: Remote Support + Monthly Site Visits
Contract: 12 Months, with a 12-Month Extension Option
Primary Software: Microsoft Excel
Consultancy Overview
A client operating a 240 TPD Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) gold processing plant requires an experienced Metallurgical Consultant to review, restructure and manage its metallurgical accounting system.
The consultant will work primarily remotely, supported by monthly site visits, and collaborate closely with the on-site metallurgist to establish reliable operational reporting, accurate gold-in-circuit inventory tracking and improved plant performance.
The assignment requires expertise in metallurgical mass balancing, gold reconciliation, CIL process analysis, laboratory quality control, data validation and advanced Excel-based accounting models.
Engagement Model & Duration
- Initial Contract: Twelve (12) months.
- Extension Option: An additional twelve (12) months, subject to satisfactory performance.
- Remote Support: Continuous review of data, mass balancing, troubleshooting and regular virtual coordination with the site metallurgist.
- Site Visits: One visit per month, typically lasting three to five (3–5) days.
- Site Visit Focus: Physical plant audits, gold-in-circuit verification, sampling checks and practical mentoring.
- Primary Reporting Tool: Microsoft Excel.
PHASE 01 | MONTHS 1–2
System Audit & Excel Restructuring
Existing System Review
- Audit existing metallurgical accounting spreadsheets.
- Review mill feed tonnage measurements and moisture sampling procedures.
- Assess solution, solid and carbon assay workflows.
- Examine elution and smelting accounting records.
Gap & Loss Analysis
- Identify sources of gold unaccounted for (GUF).
- Investigate sampling errors and potential measurement inaccuracies.
- Assess weightometer and flowmeter drift.
- Identify vulnerabilities in existing Excel formulas and accounting structures.
Excel Metallurgical Accounting Model
- Design and implement a standardised, auditable Excel metallurgical accounting workbook for the 240 TPD CIL circuit.
- Develop automated daily, weekly and monthly mass balances.
- Integrate gold-in-circuit (GIC) inventory calculators.
- Include reagent consumption tracking.
- Protect critical calculations through locked formulas and controlled workbook structures.
Standard Operating Procedures
- Draft or update procedures for mill feed, cyclone overflow and CIL tailings sampling.
- Standardise carbon concentration measurements and GIC tank dip procedures.
- Review laboratory quality assurance and quality control, including blanks, standards and duplicate samples.
PHASE 02 | ONGOING
Daily Operational Support & Gold Accounting
Daily Data Validation
Review daily operating data submitted by the site metallurgist, including:
- Crushed and milled tonnages.
- Plant availability, utilisation and throughput (tonnes per hour).
- Calculated versus assayed head grades.
- Leach kinetics and CIL tailings grades for solids and solutions.
- Reagent consumption, including cyanide, lime, activated carbon, oxygen/peroxide, caustic and acid.
Gold-in-Circuit & Bullion Reconciliation
- Reconcile theoretical gold recovery against actual gold poured as doré bars.
- Validate carbon-in-process inventory.
- Review elution and electrowinning recoveries.
- Analyse Mine Call Factor (MCF) and Plant Call Factor variances.
Process Troubleshooting
- Analyse trends affecting gold recovery.
- Investigate recovery losses, preg-robbing, solution losses and carbon fouling.
- Recommend operational adjustments based on plant data, including reagent conditions and carbon movement schedules.
Monthly Reporting
- Compile, validate and sign off the official Monthly Metallurgical Accounting & Production Report for senior management.
PHASE 03 | MONTHLY SITE VISITS
Physical Audits, Laboratory Review & Mentorship
Physical Circuit Audits
- Verify feed belt weightometers through physical belt-cut checks.
- Check slurry densities and flow rates.
- Inspect sampling cutters and sampling practices.
- Witness monthly GIC tank dips and carbon sampling.
Laboratory & Gold Room Audits
- Review laboratory fire assay and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) procedures.
- Audit elution, electrowinning and smelting accounting logs.
Training & Mentorship
- Provide practical coaching to the site metallurgist and plant operators.
- Strengthen Excel data management and metallurgical accounting competencies.
- Support understanding of CIL process control and accounting principles.
Key Contract Deliverables
| Deliverable |
Required Timeline |
| Metallurgical Audit & Gap Analysis Report |
Within 3 weeks of contract commencement |
| Master Excel Metallurgical Accounting Workbook, user guide and automated KPI dashboards |
End of Month 2 |
| Updated Plant Sampling & Accounting SOPs |
End of Month 2 |
| Validated Daily & Weekly Operational Summaries |
Ongoing review and email sign-off |
| Monthly Metallurgical Balance & GIC Reconciliation Report |
Within 5 business days after month-end |
| Monthly Site Visit Audit & Action Plan Report |
Within 5 business days following each visit |
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Consultant performance will be reviewed quarterly against defined technical and reporting standards.
Gold Accounting Accuracy
Reduce and maintain the variance between theoretical gold recovery and actual bullion poured within ±2.0% on a rolling quarterly basis.
Reporting Timeliness
- Daily operational data feedback within 24 hours of submission.
- Monthly metallurgical accounting reports within 5 business days after month-end.
- Site visit audit reports within 5 business days of departure.
Model Integrity
Zero critical formula errors or unauthorised structural changes in the master Excel workbook during quarterly audits.
Site Visit Compliance
Complete 100% of scheduled monthly site visits unless deferred by mutual written agreement because of force majeure or operational constraints.
Technical Expertise Relevant to This Assignment
The scope of work requires demonstrated capability in the following technical areas:
- CIL gold processing and metallurgical accounting.
- Daily, weekly and monthly metallurgical mass balancing.
- Gold-in-circuit inventory verification and bullion reconciliation.
- Advanced Excel financial and operational modelling, formula protection and auditability.
- Metallurgical sampling systems and laboratory QA/QC.
- Gold recovery analysis and process troubleshooting.
- Plant operational data validation and performance reporting.
- Metallurgical SOP development.
- On-site technical auditing, coaching and mentorship.
These technical areas are derived from the consultancy scope. The supplied document does not establish formal academic, certification or minimum-years-of-experience eligibility thresholds.
Application & Expression of Interest
Experienced metallurgical professionals interested in this consultancy should review the technical scope and confirm the official submission arrangements before sending any application documents.
Position: Metallurgical Consultant
Engagement: 12-month consultancy, with a possible 12-month extension
Work Arrangement: Remote support and monthly site visits
Application Email: [email available with Premium]
The uploaded document is a technical Scope of Work rather than a complete recruitment announcement. An official application contact, site location and submission deadline must be confirmed before a direct application button can be published.
