Mineral Processing Engineering jobs

The Company

Cornish Metals is an AIM listed Company working towards re-opening the 100% owned and fully permitted South Crofty underground tin mine in Pool, Cornwall.

In March 2025, we raised £57.4 million, anchored by the UK’s National Wealth Fund and Vision Blue Resources to advance South Crofty towards tin production once again. Tin is essential for electronics, renewable energy, and modern technology and demand is projected to increase by 30% in the next decade.

We are committed to ethical, responsible and domestic tin production and are proud to have strong local and national support.

Role purpose

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Site Mechanical Engineer, ideally with a background in mining operations, to join our team at South Crofty.

As a key member of the operation, you will play a vital role in ensuring the reliability, safety, and efficiency of both surface and underground mechanical systems and equipment across the mine.

The successful candidate will be responsible for the installation, maintenance, and performance of a wide range of mechanical assets, including ventilation systems, dewatering infrastructure, material handling, mobile equipment, hoists, winders, and processing plant equipment.

Initially, the role will focus on project delivery and operational readiness activities, transitioning into a fully operational mechanical engineering activities once mining production commences. During the project phase, you will support the engineering, construction, and commissioning of various work packages across the site while providing oversight of mechanical maintenance, asset integrity, and compliance for both existing and newly commissioned equipment.

You will ensure that all mechanical systems operate efficiently and safely, meeting all relevant regulatory requirements, industry standards, and company procedures.

Ultimately, you will be instrumental in developing, maintaining, and optimising South Crofty's mechanical infrastructure, helping to ensure the successful achievement of the mine's production objectives.

Cornish Metals is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. A copy of our Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Policy is available upon request.

Principle responsibilities/role tasks

Specific duties as part of the role include, but are not limited to, the following:

Design & Equipment Selection- Contribute to the development of technical designs and participate in the selection of mechanical equipment, ensuring alignment with project specifications, engineering standards, and applicable mechanical legislation.

Installation & Maintenance- Oversee the installation, inspection, testing, and maintenance of mechanical equipment fixed and mobile equipment above ground and underground

Acceptance Testing- Lead and coordinate both factory acceptance testing (FAT) and site acceptance testing (SAT) of mechanical equipment to verify compliance with performance and safety standards.

Regulatory Compliance & Standards Assurance -Ensure all mechanical installations and equipment adhere to relevant industry standards and regulatory requirements, maintaining systems in a safe and operable condition.

Hazard Management & Safety Protocols- Identify and manage major hazards associated with equipment. Develop and implement safety-critical work tasks, method statements, and safe operating procedures.

Training & Competency Development- Oversee the development of technical competencies within the mechanical department. Deliver targeted, mechanical equipment-specific and procedure training to craftsmen operating in both processing, surface and underground mining environments.

Proactive Maintenance Strategy Implementation- Deploy predictive and preventive maintenance strategies to proactively identify and resolve potential mechanical equipment failures, enhancing system reliability.

Failure Analysis & Mitigation- Investigate mechanical system failures to determine root causes and formulate effective prevention strategies to avoid recurrence.

Continuous Improvement & Innovation- Foster a culture of continuous improvement within the mechanical department, with a strong emphasis on adopting and integrating emerging technologies to enhance operational efficiency.

Cornish Metals is an equal opportunities employer and reasonable adjustments will be provided.

Working Environment

This is an on-site role based at South Crofty mine. While mainly desk based, it will involve some/regular movement around the site, including underground, for meetings, training and project related activities as well as occasional external meetings across the UK.

Key relationships

The role will report to the Engineering & Maintenance Manager, but there will be frequent interaction with a variety of other members of the management team, such as the Project Team, Operations Managers & General Manager.

Skills and experience

The key skills and experience which are expected for this role are:

Essential

• HND or Degree in Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent.
• At least 10 Years' experience working in a similar role in a heavy engineering environment preferably within the mining, tunnelling, or processing plant.
• Demonstrate a positive, proactive approach and show high levels of initiative and a focus on safety.
• Working knowledge of Ventilation, Dewatering, Mobile equipment, Processing Plant, Material Handling, Shafts and Winders.
• Extensive knowledge of engineering maintenance techniques and Computerized Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS).
• Excellent organisational skills with a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Experience in managing Risk Assessments and Major Hazards and in a similar environment, ability to use tools such as Bowtie XP will be an advantage.

Desirable

• Project Management Experience.
• Financial/ Cost Management Experience i.e. preparing budgets.
• Qualification to C&G 2382-22 (or equivalent).
• Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) or Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (IM3) or another relevant institution.
• Experience in Safety Auditing and Major Hazards.
• Working knowledge of the Mines Regs 2014.
• Ability to coach and train craftsmen.
• NEBOSH General Certificate or IOSH Managing Safely (Or equivalent Industrial Safety Course).

Salary

Competitive Salary £75K

Benefits

• Health & Dental Cashback
• Life Insurance
• Enhanced parental leave and sick pay
• Income protection insurance
• Enhanced pension contributions
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Personal days

Hours of work and work location

Full-Time 37.5 hours a week, Monday to Friday between 8:00am and 4:00pm, based at the South Crofty Mine site in Pool, Redruth. The role may occasionally require availability outside standard working hours to support operational activities and other events.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £75,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person