The In-Charge Operations & Maintenance (O&M;), Iron Ore Beneficiation Plant will be responsible for the overall operation, maintenance, process optimization, production performance, and continuous improvement of the beneficiation plant.

The incumbent will lead plant operations and coordinate closely with Mining, Maintenance, Quality, Laboratory, Dispatch, and other cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives. The role is accountable for meeting production targets, maximizing plant throughput and Fe recovery, maintaining product quality, minimizing downtime and tailing losses, optimizing cost per tonne, and ensuring compliance with safety, environmental, and statutory requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

- B.Tech/B.E. in Mineral Processing, Metallurgical Engineering, Mining Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering.
- Diploma candidates with an extensive professional track record and significant achievements in beneficiation plant operations may also be considered.

Experience Requirements

- Minimum 15+ years of experience in Operations & Maintenance of mineral beneficiation or processing plants.
- Solid preference for candidates with hands-on experience in Iron Ore Beneficiation Plants.
- Proven experience in managing end-to-end plant operations, maintenance coordination, process optimization, production planning, and team management.
- Experience in developing, modifying, or optimizing beneficiation process circuits will be an added advantage.
- Experience in greenfield/brownfield projects, plant commissioning, capacity expansion, or debottlenecking is preferred.
- Preferred industries: Iron & Steel, Iron Ore Mining, Mineral Processing, and Mineral Beneficiation.

Key Responsibilities:

Plant Operations & Production Management

- Lead the day-to-day operations of the Iron Ore Beneficiation Plant to ensure safe, stable, and efficient production.
- Ensure continuous plant operation with maximum equipment availability and minimum downtime.
- Achieve daily, weekly, monthly, and annual production targets.
- Monitor plant performance and initiate timely corrective and preventive actions.
- Optimize plant throughput, yield, recovery, utilization, and overall operational efficiency.
- Identify operational bottlenecks and implement improvement initiatives.
- Ensure adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), operating parameters, and production plans.

Process Control & Efficiency Improvement

- Monitor and optimize beneficiation processes, including:
- Crushing and Screening
- Washing and Scrubbing
- Classification and Grinding
- Hydrocyclones
- Jigging
- Spiral Concentrators
- Magnetic Separation – LIMS/HIMS




- Thickeners and Clarifiers
- Slurry Handling
- Dewatering Screens
- Filter Presses
- Tailings Management
- Water Recovery and Recycling Systems

- Optimize process parameters to maximize Fe recovery, yield, throughput, and concentrate quality.
- Minimize Fe losses in tailings and improve overall beneficiation efficiency.
- Monitor and control slurry density, water balance, circulating loads, and process stability.
- Conduct process analysis, troubleshooting, Root Cause Analysis (RCA), and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Support modifications and improvements to beneficiation circuits for enhanced plant performance.

Production Planning & Cross-Functional Coordination

- Prepare production plans and schedules based on ROM availability, plant capacity, customer requirements, and dispatch plans.
- Coordinate with Mining teams to ensure consistent availability and quality of ROM feed.
- Work closely with Maintenance, Quality, Laboratory, Dispatch, and Commercial teams.
- Ensure uninterrupted feed to the beneficiation plant and minimize production losses and idle time.
- Monitor and improve key operational parameters, including:
- Cost per tonne
- Plant yield
- Fe recovery percentage
- Fe grade
- Throughput
- Equipment availability
- Plant utilization
- Specific water and energy consumption

Maintenance Coordination:

- Coordinate preventive, predictive, planned, and breakdown maintenance activities.
- Monitor critical equipment health, reliability, and availability.
- Ensure effective shutdown planning, resource allocation, and timely execution.
- Coordinate closely with Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, and Utility teams.
- Analyze recurring equipment failures and implement corrective actions through RCA.
- Ensure availability and optimum utilization of critical spares and consumables.

Quality Control

- Ensure finished product quality meets customer and business specifications.
- Monitor critical quality parameters, including Fe grade, silica, alumina, moisture content, and other relevant specifications.
- Coordinate with laboratory and quality teams for regular sampling, testing, and process adjustments.
- Analyze variations in ROM feed and optimize operating parameters accordingly.
- Maintain accurate quality records, reports,



and process documentation.

Vendor, Contractor & Commercial Management

- Develop and maintain a strong network of technical vendors and service providers for process and maintenance support.
- Identify and evaluate vendors for equipment, spares, technical services, and manpower requirements.
- Ensure proper identification, planning, procurement, and utilization of critical spares.
- Support preparation and review of technically and commercially robust contracts.
- Identify, evaluate, and mobilize technical contractors and manpower contractors.
- Monitor vendor and contractor performance, service quality, cost, and compliance.
- Demonstrate strong commercial acumen in cost control, contract management, and vendor negotiations.

Safety, Environment & Statutory Compliance

- Ensure strict compliance with all applicable safety, environmental, and statutory requirements.
- Promote a strong safety culture across plant operations and maintenance activities.
- Conduct toolbox talks, safety inspections, risk assessments, and safety audits.
- Ensure proper use of PPE and adherence to safe work practices, permit systems, and SOPs.
- Monitor tailings disposal, water recovery, recycling, and environmental management systems.
- Ensure safe and environmentally compliant operation of tailings and slurry management systems.
- Drive initiatives to reduce environmental impact, water consumption, and operational risks.

Team Management & Leadership

- Lead and supervise operators, engineers, supervisors, technicians, and contract manpower.
- Plan manpower deployment, shift allocation, attendance, and workforce utilization.
- Develop team capabilities through technical training, SOP awareness, coaching, and safety training.
- Conduct performance reviews and identify skill-development requirements.
- Build a high-performance culture focused on safety, productivity, quality, accountability, and continuous improvement.
- Ensure effective communication and coordination across shifts and departments.

Documentation, MIS & Performance Reporting

- Prepare and review daily, weekly, and monthly production and performance reports.
- Maintain shift logs, equipment performance records, process data, downtime records, and maintenance reports.
- Monitor plant KPIs and identify opportunities for operational and cost improvement.
- Prepare and submit MIS reports and performance dashboards to management.
- Analyze production, process, quality, and maintenance data to drive efficiency improvement.
- Ensure accurate documentation and compliance with internal reporting systems.

📌 In-Charge, O&M, Iron Ore Beneficiation (Andhra Pradesh)
🏢 Petra silicon
📍 Andhra Pradesh