Process Engineer – Aqua Regia Specialist

Rand Refinery (Pty) Limited Johannesburg, Gauteng

Contract Closes 12 Oct 2026 · 10 days left

Johannesburg, Gauteng Contract Closes 12 Oct 2026

What the job is

This is a Process Engineer – Aqua Regia Specialist position at Rand Refinery (Pty) Limited, based in the JHB East Rand area. The role is part of the Refinery division in Ghana and involves working with precious metals refining using aqua regia, a strong acid mixture. The job is a fixed-term contract for 24 months.

What you will do

You will safely dissolve gold-bearing materials using aqua regia and monitor key reaction details like temperature, acid ratios, and reaction time. You will also handle filtration, precipitation, and washing processes, as well as manage the reprocessing of residues to recover as much metal as possible. The role includes safely handling hazardous chemicals like hydrochloric acid and nitric acid, neutralizing waste solutions, and controlling toxic gas emissions using scrubber systems. You will ensure all work meets health, safety, and environmental standards, conduct sampling to check product purity, and prepare reports on metal balances and stock. Additionally, you will investigate any issues in the refining process, support improvements, maintain process documentation, and work with internal and external teams to provide technical input on projects.

What you need

You must have a Matric qualification and a Diploma or Degree in Metallurgical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or Chemistry. At least 3 years of experience in a precious metals refining environment is required, along with knowledge of hydrometallurgy processes and acid digestion systems. You should be skilled in using Microsoft Office tools like Excel, Word, and email, as well as SAP. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, attention to detail, and teamwork skills are essential. You also need knowledge of wet chemistry, precious metals refining, metallurgical accounting, and safety standards, as well as experience in handling hazardous chemicals and managing environmental controls.

What you will get

The salary and benefits will be discussed based on your experience and qualifications. This is a fixed-term contract position for 24 months, offering the opportunity to work in a specialized and technical field with a focus on safety and continuous improvement.