Demo

Metallurgist II - Leach Optimization

Freeport-McMoRan
Phoenix, AZ Full Time
POSTED ON 9/8/2026
AVAILABLE BEFORE 11/4/2026
Where You Will Work Our global headquarters is in Phoenix, Arizona. Several hundred employees support global operations in finance, human resources, information technology, planning and more from the main office, satellite offices or online. As a Hybrid employee, you'll engage in virtual collaboration as well as attend in-person meetings at our Collaboration Hub in Phoenix or at one of our site locations. The Collaboration Hub provides an open, flexible workspace for individuals and teams to come together for various business needs. Amenities at the Hub include a working café, phone booths and meeting rooms with technology tools for virtual and in-person collaboration. In-person attendance may vary based on the position and department requirements. Phoenix is the capital of the Grand Canyon State and enjoys mostly bright skies throughout the year. It is the perfect place if you enjoy the outdoors, love sports, concerts and other big city amenities or technology. There are great neighborhoods around Phoenix, with easy access to a major city, nature, the arts and many more amenities. What You Will Do This role is responsible for identifying, enabling, and expanding side slope leaching opportunities across all leach operations. The position focuses on unlocking additional leachable surface area on existing stockpiles through close collaboration with site teams and technical experts, ensuring all activities are executed safely, compliantly, and in alignment with sound engineering practices. With over 350 million square feet of side slope area across the enterprise—of which only approximately 25% is currently utilized for leaching—this role provides dedicated field‑based and technical leadership to unlock incremental areas and drive increased copper recovery. Identify, evaluate, and prioritize side slope leaching opportunities across all operations, with an emphasis on previously unleached or operationally constrained areas. Spend significant time in the field assessing stockpile geometries, side slope conditions, and operational constraints while working directly with site personnel. Collaborate with GMX, operations, environmental, and metallurgy teams to technically evaluate side slope opportunities and support approvals for expanded leaching. Quantify identified opportunities and ensure side slope leaching initiatives are planned, documented, and incorporated into Ramp‑Up Curve (RUC) production forecasts. Support and oversee execution of side slope leaching activities to ensure adherence to approved designs, operational best practices, and safety standards. Monitor and evaluate leaching performance, quantify impacts to copper recovery, and communicate results, lessons learned, and best practices to key stakeholders.Perform other duties as required. Metallurgical expertise in heap leaching and additive chemistry — deep understanding of leach kinetics, mineralogy, and reagent interactions. Economic and financial analysis skills — ability to model recovery uplift, cost-benefit scenarios, and ROI for project justification. Process design and engineering knowledge — familiarity with dosing systems, fluid handling, and integration into existing operations. Project management capability — skilled in planning, coordinating, and tracking milestones across multiple stakeholders. Operational readiness and change management — experience driving site engagement, training, and adoption of new technologies. Data analysis and performance monitoring — ability to interpret metallurgical test data, validate KPIs, and compare actual vs. forecasted impact. Strong communication and stakeholder influence — adept at preparing technical reports, presenting business cases, and fostering cross-functional collaboration. High degree of autonomy and time management — proven ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and deliver results without close supervision. Problem-Solving - Proven ability to troubleshoot operational challenges and implement effective solutions under tight deadlines. Detail-oriented with a focus on data accuracy and process optimization. Commitment to safety, environmental compliance, and operational excellence.

Salary.com Estimation for Metallurgist II - Leach Optimization in Phoenix, AZ
$91,151 to $106,710
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution. Compensation Planning
Enhance your organization's compensation strategy with salary data sets that HR and team managers can use to pay your staff right. Surveys & Data Sets

What is the career path for a Metallurgist II - Leach Optimization?

Sign up to receive alerts about other jobs on the Metallurgist II - Leach Optimization career path by checking the boxes next to the positions that interest you.
Income Estimation: 
$88,239 - $107,750
Income Estimation: 
$92,981 - $138,294
Income Estimation: 
$108,127 - $132,532
Income Estimation: 
$110,528 - $145,291
Income Estimation: 
$90,951 - $115,468
Income Estimation: 
$92,981 - $138,294
Income Estimation: 
$108,127 - $132,532
Income Estimation: 
$110,528 - $145,291
Income Estimation: 
$90,951 - $115,468
Income Estimation: 
$92,981 - $138,294
Income Estimation: 
$108,127 - $132,532
Income Estimation: 
$110,528 - $145,291
Income Estimation: 
$77,528 - $99,898
Income Estimation: 
$78,358 - $110,920
Income Estimation: 
$88,239 - $107,750
Income Estimation: 
$90,951 - $115,468
Employees: Get a Salary Increase
View Core, Job Family, and Industry Job Skills and Competency Data for more than 15,000 Job Titles Skills Library

Job openings at Freeport-McMoRan

  • Freeport-McMoRan Bayard, NM
  • At Freeport-McMoRan, we are committed to providing an employment package that recognizes excellence, encourages safe production and a culture supported by ... more
  • Just Posted

  • Freeport-McMoRan Bayard, NM
  • At Freeport-McMoRan, we are committed to providing an employment package that recognizes excellence, encourages safe production and a culture supported by ... more
  • Just Posted

  • Freeport-McMoRan Bayard, NM
  • At Freeport-McMoRan, we are committed to providing an employment package that recognizes excellence, encourages safe production and a culture supported by ... more
  • Just Posted

  • Freeport-McMoRan Safford, AZ
  • At Freeport-McMoRan, we are committed to providing an employment package that recognizes excellence, encourages safe production and a culture supported by ... more
  • Just Posted


Not the job you're looking for? Here are some other Metallurgist II - Leach Optimization jobs in the Phoenix, AZ area that may be a better fit.

  • Phoenix Children's Hospital Glendale, AZ
  • Posting Note:This is a 5-day onsite position at the Arrowhead campus.The hours are 2pm-10:30pm The IT Clinical Optimization Technician plays a crucial role... more
  • 1 Month Ago

  • VLinc Glendale, AZ
  • Facilities Engineer, Portfolio Optimization (3 openings) Location: On-site at Luke Air Force Base, Glendale, Arizona Type: Full-time, direct hire with VLin... more
  • 12 Days Ago

AI Assistant is available now!

Feel free to start your new journey!