Every day we use hundreds of products which are made from metal. The metallurgist/chemical engineer's job is to produce the metals needed to make these and the many other products we need. In carrying out this task, science, chemistry, mathematics and physics are combined with engineering principles to extract the metals from the ores in which they are found so that they can be refined and produced in the right form.
Extracting the minerals from the coarse ore has to be feasible, both technically and economically. Some ores have to be crushed and milled to fine powder so that the metal contained can be liberated for further processing. In all cases, a concentrated form of the valuable component is produced.
Impala employs extractive metallurgists and chemical engineers, particularly at Mineral Processes and the Refineries. Analytical chemists are responsible for the analysis of all samples. At the process plants, day-to-day running, maintenance and troubleshooting are the responsibility of the metallurgist/chemical engineer. Other responsibilities include the administration and management of the plant. The metallurgist is also involved in:
At the Refineries, chemical engineers are involved in the following activities:
You can study towards a BSc Eng in either metallurgy or chemical engineering (minerals processing). This is four-year full-time course. You will also be required to complete structured vacation work. To be accepted at university for this degree, you must have a senior certificate with university exemption and a C symbol in both mathematics and science on higher grade.
Graduates should have degrees from preferably the universities of Cape Town, the Witwatersrand, Pretoria or Natal.
Graduates at Impala Platinum can join one of the operating divisions:
On joining the company, the new metallurgist/chemical engineer undergoes a period of familiarisation and undertakes shift work to develop practical knowledge and skills. This includes laboratory work. A chemical engineer is expected to attend a number of prescribed training courses, aimed mainly at developing managerial skills.
On qualifying, the career path for metallurgists at Mineral Processes is as follows:
Graduates joining the Refineries may progress to the level of senior chemical engineering, once they have had relevant, practical experience in a wide cross-section of activities. This is followed by promotion to either production, commercial, technical or management level. Allowance is also made for those who wish to become technical specialists in a particular field.
After graduation, Impala employs development and analytical chemists who are involved in:
Ideally you should complete a BSc, majoring in Chemistry with Statistics as the second major. Applicants must study to honours level.
The universities have different selection procedures to select candidates for a BSc degree.
On joining the company, the new development chemist will be given the opportunity to work in as many of the company's laboratories as possible so that they are familiar with the various processes used and to develop their knowledge and skills.
The career path is as follows:
The main purpose of a chemist's job, besides ensuring the day-to-day running of the laboratory, is to manage and provide analytical services. All Impala Platinum's laboratories are run in accordance with ISO 17025 1999. Chemists verify that results to be reported are accurate and have technical responsibility for the laboratory.
People who have innovative thinking abilities. Ideal candidates must be able to lead people, have an attitude that is receptive to change and an aptitude for science and mathematics. In addition, the successful metallurgist/chemical engineer should be:
Next - Mechanical and electrical engineering – heavy current...
A Career at Implats
February 2009
(PDF - 217KB)
