PETER SICHONE
Metallurgist
Solwezi,North-Western
Summary
A qualified and motivated operations Metallurgist successful at taking on routine and complex business challenges with resourceful and creative approach. Recognized as driven, dedicated and hard-working leader with history of stream lining operations and increasing productivity. Comfortable working with people at all levels coupled with outstanding commercial approach to solving problems and developing business processes. More than fifteen years professional experience with expertise in copper metal recovery using Leaching, Solvent extraction and Electrowinning processes. Also, highly proficient in copper concentrate recovery via SAG mill and flotation processes. Major mines worked for include Kansanshi Mine under First Quantum minerals, Konkola Copper Mines and Mopani Copper Mines.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
COMMINUTION SUPERINTENDENT
FQM-Kansanshi Mine
SOLWEZI
01.2022 - 08.2022
- Was responsible for all comminution activities at the Kansanshi processing plant, including supervision of comminution metallurgist in the crushing, milling (throughput & liner management) and classification sections.
- Actively participated in formulating both comminution & Mill reline budgets with associated costs.
- Spearheaded project for installation of mobile secondary crusher on Oxide route for treatment of scalped ore from Jaw crusher with following envisaged benefits on overall process.
- Minimum 7% increase in milling rate to translate into extra profit of approximately USD 24M/annum.
- Eliminate cost associated with re-handle of scalped material USD 4.7M/annum and reduce cost associated with in-pit screening of HGAC material by half USD 5.8M/annum.
HYDROMETALLURGY OPTIMISATION SUPERINTENDENT
FQM-Kansanshi Mine
SOLWEZI
01.2020 - 12.2021
- Led a team of Hyrdromet Metallurgists involved in providing technical assist to the operations team in the Leaching, Solvent extraction & Electrowinning sections.
- Was instrumental in the sourcing of alternative acid mixing units, with envisaged benefits of up to 96% mixing efficiency & enhanced dilution from 15%w/w to 40%w/w.
- For improved leach efficiency at high throughput without compromise on overall Leach recovery.
- Was successful in acquisition of cost-effective surfactant (Eagles 1100) alternative to FC1100 resulting in annual serving of $400,000.
PROCESS OPERATIONS SUPERINTENDENT, Leach-SX-EW
FQM-Kansanshi Mine
SOLWEZI
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Was responsible for all hydrometallurgical functions in Leach, SX and Electrowinning sections
- Notable functions included formulating of both production and cost budgets for process plants, monitoring spends and providing monthly reports to Plant manager.
- Successfully commissioned and operated expanded Leach/CCD circuit for 12MTPA ore treatment through circuit
- This milestone sustained cathode copper production at low oxide grades from mining
- Led a team of operatives in successfully isolating tank house 2 for maintenance projects, notable functions under this project were;
- Raised necessary documentation and approvals for project.
- Reviewed pumping capacities and ensured that solution exchange still remained adequate for tank houses 1 and 3
- Commissioned new lines and optimized solution exchange between two tank houses
- Planned and managed organic inventory movement between SX3 and remaining plants
- Evaluated SXs performance and reconfigured SX plants to ensure solution balance and good plant performance.
SENIOR OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR, Leach-SX-EW
FQM-Kansanshi Mine
SOLWEZI
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Modified the low grade SX stream circuit from series-parallel configuration (2E 1P 1S) to a circuit that ran as both 2E 2S or 2E 1P 1S and this gave Company flexibility in recovery options.
- Part of team that installed and commissioned steam line from Acid producing plant to Electro wining plants, this project saved Company 7.5kw of energy.
- Coordinated and controlled operations of Leach-SX-EW plants to ensure integrity of control philosophy and maximized production by engaging all parties involved in production lines.
- Planned and scheduled smooth shut down and startup of process plants to reduce on down time.
- Prepared and submitted electronic Time sheets in good time to relevant departments in Production line.
- Formulated standard working procedures for leach-SX-EW circuits.
PROCESS CONTROLLER, Leach-SX-EW
FQM-Kansanshi Mine
SOLWEZI
01.2006 - 01.2011
- Monitored and controlled the entire Process plant to achieve set targets in throughputs, tonnage, flows for maximum production.
- Identified potential plant stoppers for appraisal to Plant manager and engineering superiors in order to be alleviated.
- Participated in Liaising with Mining personnel for efficient supply of ore to achieve/meet budget requirement in ore milled and grade as regards TCu, ASCu and GAC.
- Issuance of safe work permits to ensure safety of personnel, equipment and procedures are adhered to.
- Liaised with safety and fire officers for generation of risk assessment reports to ensure safety of employees and prevention of possible damage to equipment.
- Appraised instrumentation and software problems to software engineer to ensure integrity of control philosophy was maintained.
- Generated summary production reports for metallurgical accounting.
- Liaised with senior chemist to ensure assay results for process are availed in good time and in conformity with requirement of process.
- Engaged in overall monitoring of consumables such as sulphuric acid, Flocculants, Quick lime, Guar flocculants and cobalt sulphate for cost effective use of same.
- Ensured quality and in quantity generation of copper solution for quality production of copper cathodes to meet customer’s specification.
- Supervised subordinates to ensure they understand various process parameters and their meaning for optimum production.
- Part of team that commissioned 100tpd copper SX-EW Plant.
- Part of team that commissioned two high-rate thickeners in order to increase washing capacity for improved recovery of copper in solution.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Metallurgy and Mineral Processing
University of Zambia
Lusaka, Zambia01.2003
Skills
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Power Point
- PRONTO
- ICAM for incident investigation
- PIPWARE for project management
Affiliations
Member of Engineering Institute of Zambia.
Member of South Africa Institute Metallurgy and Mining(expected).
Timeline
COMMINUTION SUPERINTENDENT
FQM-Kansanshi Mine
01.2022 - 08.2022
HYDROMETALLURGY OPTIMISATION SUPERINTENDENT
FQM-Kansanshi Mine
01.2020 - 12.2021
PROCESS OPERATIONS SUPERINTENDENT, Leach-SX-EW
FQM-Kansanshi Mine
01.2015 - 01.2019
SENIOR OPERATIONS SUPERVISOR, Leach-SX-EW
FQM-Kansanshi Mine
01.2012 - 01.2014
PROCESS CONTROLLER, Leach-SX-EW
FQM-Kansanshi Mine
01.2006 - 01.2011
Bachelor of Science - Metallurgy and Mineral Processing
University of Zambia
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