Technical Project Manager– Pre Feasibility Study Testing Support
Location: Tucson, Arizona
Travel: Up to 25%
Reports To: Chief Metallurgist
Position Summary
The Project Manager will support metallurgical testing programs associated with Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) activities for the Gunnison Project. Working closely with the Chief Metallurgist, this position will coordinate metallurgical test work programs, manage relationships with external laboratories and consultants, and help ensure testing is completed safely, efficiently, and in support of project objectives.
ContractBased in Tucson, Arizona, the Project Manager will regularly visit metallurgical testing laboratories to review progress, monitor quality, troubleshoot issues, and provide technical guidance as needed. The ideal candidate combines practical metallurgical knowledge with strong project management, communication, and organizational skills to produce results on budget and within the schedule. Requires domestic and some international travel.
Key Responsibilities
Project Coordination & Reporting
- Serve as the primary liaison between project teams, laboratories, consultants, and engineering contractors.
- Coordination and project management of metallurgical testing programs to ensure work is completed safely, on schedule, and within budget.
- Monitor progress against testing plans and communicate key risks, opportunities, and recommendations.
- Prepare technical summaries, progress reports, presentations, and management updates.
- Support planning, budgeting, forecasting, and tracking of metallurgical programs.
- Maintain action-item lists and follow up to ensure timely completion of project milestones.
Metallurgical Test Work Management
- Coordinate metallurgical test work programs supporting PFS and project development activities.
- Project manage scopes of work, schedules, budgets, sample selection, and sample shipments.
- Review laboratory procedures and ensure alignment with project objectives and industry best practices.
- Support interpretation of results and identify areas requiring additional testing or investigation.
Contract Laboratory Oversight
- Conduct regular visits to external metallurgical testing laboratories.
- Monitor laboratory performance, testing quality, and adherence to approved procedures.
- Review test methodologies, sample handling practices, and QA/QC protocols.
- Verify data quality and provide guidance to laboratory personnel when needed.
Health, Safety & Quality
- Promote a strong safety culture during laboratory visits and project activities.
- Ensure metallurgical testing is conducted in accordance with applicable safety, environmental, and quality standards.
- Support continuous improvement of testing and QA/QC programs.
Qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Mineral Processing, Geology, or a related discipline.
Skills & Attributes
- Demonstrated project management and organizational skills.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities and stakeholders simultaneously.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
- Effective written and verbal communication skills.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office and technical reporting tools.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
- Willingness and ability to travel up to 25%.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting PFS, FS, or other project development studies.
- Demonstrated success managing external resources, consultants, and contractors.
- Experience with scope development, scheduling, budgeting, and risk management.
- Strong presentation and stakeholder management skills.
- Proven ability to drive projects to completion while maintaining quality and schedule commitments.
Experience:
- 10 years experience in project management.
- Support of work programs for project development or operating assets.
- Prefer Familiarity with copper heap leach testing and operations, including column leaching, bottle roll testing, agglomeration, acid consumption, ore characterization, and recovery optimization.
- Prefer working knowledge of SX/EW fundamentals and hydrometallurgical processes.
- Familiarity with copper flotation testing and process development is desirable.
- Prefer experience working with commercial metallurgical laboratories, engineering firms, and consultants.
