Chemist, Senior

Date: Apr 27, 2026

Location: Tucson, AZ, US, 85718

Company: South32 Group Operations Pty. Ltd.

Discover a Brighter Future

At South32, we’re meeting the challenge of enabling a sustainable future through our focus on responsibly producing commodities critical for a low-carbon world.

As a collaborative, caring and inclusive company, there’s no better place to make a genuine difference. Together we’re making a positive, global impact that has the potential to change lives.

Whatever career path you choose, we’ll support you every step of the way to learn, grow and succeed. So join us, step towards a brighter future and leave your legacy.

ABOUT Hermosa

Hermosa, located approximately 75 miles south-east of Tucson, Arizona, is the only advanced mining project in the United States as of 2023 that could produce two federally designated critical minerals—manganese and zinc—as well as silver and lead. The project has the potential to help power the nation’s clean energy future, strengthen the domestic supply chain of critical minerals, grow the local economy, and improve lives in Santa Cruz County and the surrounding community for generations to come.

ACERCA de Hermosa

Hermosa, ubicado a aproximadamente 75 millas al sur este de Tucson, Arizona, es el único proyecto de minería avanzada en los Estados Unidos hasta la fecha que puede producir dos minerales designados como críticos por el gobierno federal: manganeso y zinc, así como también plata y plomo. El proyecto tiene el potencial de ayudar a impulsar el futuro energético limpio del país, reforzar la cadena de suministro nacional de minerales esenciales, hacer crecer la economía local y mejorar la calidad de vida en el condado de Santa Cruz y en las comunidades aledañas para las generaciones venideras.

WHAT SOUTH32 OFFERS

- Annual short-term incentive bonus that recognizes both your individual performance and the overall success of the business.

- When you choose to contribute more into your retirement savings, South32 will match it up to a certain percentage.

- South32 provides you with 4 weeks paid time off.

- 12 weeks full-paid parental leave for primary carers and 2 weeks full-paid parental leave for secondary carers

ABOUT THE ROLE

South32 seeks to hire a Metallurgist to support the design, construction, commissioning, and operation of the Hermosa Taylor Project. Under the supervision of the Metallurgy Superintendent, the metallurgist will scope, manage, and perform metallurgical testwork, provide input into design of the processing plant and supporting infrastructure, and review deliverables from engineering firms. As the project moves into the execution phase, the metallurgist will help develop training programs for new operators, SOPs for the processing plant and laboratories, participate in processing plant commissioning, and support processing operations. This role is primarily based at the Hermosa site near Patagonia.

Other key responsibilities include, but aren’t limited to:

- Review assay laboratory engineering documentation for accuracy and completeness.

- Ensure that design and equipment selection align with the scope of the assay laboratory and industry best practice.

- Assist in the commissioning and startup of the assay laboratory

- Assist in recruiting, training, and developing assay laboratory personnel

- Responsible for day-to-day laboratory QA/QC, instrumentation including service and troubleshooting

- Draft, evaluate, and modify laboratory methods

- Draft, evaluate, and modify standard operating procedures.

- Oversee the laboratory information management system (LIMS).

- Identify issues with documented procedures, analyze data for accuracy, and provide recommendations to improve QA/QC.

- Ensure that the Laboratory facilities are both safe and within environmental compliance

- Responsible for controlling area costs to comply with annual budget

- Develop and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) for assay laboratory performance

- Stay up-to-date on new equipment, analytical methodologies, and industry best practices

- Review, recommend, and implement new or enhanced testing equipment

- Participation in South32 health and safety programs

ABOUT YOU

You will have experience and demonstrate capability in the following:

- Bachelor’s Degree in Chemistry or related field

- Detailed oriented

- 7+ years of experience working in a laboratory setting - 5+ years of experience working in a laboratory in the mining industry

- Demonstrated commitment to safety and environmental stewardship

- Exceptional organizational and communication skills

- Must have a strong chemistry background with the ability to train others and evaluate skills

- Knowledge of and ability to troubleshoot analytical instrumentation including ICP-OES, ICP-MS, XRF, and LECO required

- Proficiency in analytical methods/activities including sample preparation, XRF, carbon and sulfur LECO, multi-acid digestion, ICP (OES & MS), and fire assay

South32 is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workforce that reflects the communities in which we operate. We provide a recruitment process that is fair, equitable and accessible for all and we encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

South32 está comprometido a cimentar y mantener una plantilla de trabajadores diversa e inclusiva que refleje las comunidades en las cuales trabajamos. Proporcionamos una proceso de contratación que es justo, equitativo y accesible para todos y alentamos la aplicación de candidatos de todas las procedencias.

Nearest Major Market: Tucson