JOHN N. MAKETO
Metallurgical Engineer
Alfred Cove
Summary
Highly accomplished Metallurgical Professional, graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). Possess extensive knowledge and practical experience across a diverse range of commodities including nickel, copper, platinum, lithium, zinc, lead, diamonds, gold, and iron ore. Expertise in leading, directing, and cultivating high-performing teams. Demonstrated proven track record in safety leadership, process improvement, and project management. Focus on managing technical risk and ensuring governance for successful project delivery. Excels in plant commissioning, metallurgical consultancy, production management, and operations management. Decisive nature as a Metallurgical Engineer consistently achieves exceptional results without compromising on standards. Self-driven individual motivated by speed of execution, seeks challenging responsibilities for personal growth and achievement.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
Technical Manager
Prospect Resources
01.2019 - Current
- Company Overview: Prospect Resources is an Australian-based exploration and development company focused on opportunities in battery and electrification metals
- My responsibilities include development of business capability in optimum mineral value extraction for mineral commodities as per approved strategy focus areas (Nickel, Rare earth elements (REE) and Lithium), advancing identified projects from Scoping studies through to definitive feasibility study (DFS) stage, Planning, developing and Managing Metallurgical testwork programs, development of plant layouts, process design criteria, trade-off studies and developing process flow diagrams, Review of process designs collaboratively with Independent consultants, Formulating Integrated operational readiness plans
- Executed all Metallurgical programs and went on to produce an updated 2021 DFS for Arcadia Lithium project, with superior project financials; notably a 39% NPV10 (Net present value) improvement and IRR (Internal rate of return) improvement by 4% compared to the 2019 DFS
- In April 2022 Prospect successfully sold its 87% interest in Arcadia Lithium project for approximately US$422 million cash to Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, offering a highly attractive risk-adjusted proposition for Prospect shareholders (96cps capital return and dividend to shareholders)
- Prospect Resources is an Australian-based exploration and development company focused on opportunities in battery and electrification metals
Senior Process Engineer
Independence group
01.2017 - 01.2018
- I provided technical guidance and support to the Operations team in crushing, milling and flotation circuits producing Zinc and copper concentrates with Gold/Silver credits
- I managed the Metallurgical Technical staff (Process Engineers/Metallurgists, Process specialists) and laboratory, as well as coordinate strategic Metallurgical test work conducted by 3rd parties
- Implementation and management process standards aligned to metallurgical best practices
- Identifying, investigating, and implementing output (process efficiency/costs) improvement opportunities through application of various process improvement methodologies
- I executed a Tailings storage facility (TSF) expansion study which resulted in an additional 24 months' capacity at nominal plant throughput and 6% CAPEX saving, deferring CAPEX expenditure by 2 years
- Nominated 2018 Independence Group (IGO) awards finalist for Excellence in Metallurgy, Processing and Environment
Process Engineer
Mineral Resources Limited
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Company Overview: A Lithium operation, flagship of Mineral Resources (MRL) wet operations producing low/high grade lithium concentrates
- My role was to provide technical leadership in commissioning and optimising the Lithium processing plant
- Successfully commissioned the new Lithium operation to name plate with consistent achievement of Lithium concentrates production in line with off take agreement specifications
- I completed 'Reflux classifier' circuit optimisation to improve recovery of lower size Spodumene fraction which resulted in 3% yield improvement
- A Lithium operation, flagship of Mineral Resources (MRL) wet operations producing low/high grade lithium concentrates
Process Manager
Lucara Diamond Corporation
01.2013 - 01.2016
- Company Overview: Lucara Diamond Corporation is a major diamond operation and a foremost producer of large Type IIA diamonds including one of the world's largest diamonds (1,109 carats)
- In this role I championed the $55 million plant expansion (brownfields project) which included the implementation of the latest XRT units (sensor-based technology) in a Diamond processing plant, provided technical guidance on process improvement, technical standards, and implementation of quality assurance systems for efficiency improvement in diamond recovery and cost management in line with the overall Process objectives
- Successfully implemented Phase 2 plant upgrade incorporating latest XRT technology in a diamond winning flowsheet resulting in significant $/carat increase (value)
- XRT technology implementation resulted in the recovery of the second largest diamond in the world
- Lucara Diamond Corporation is a major diamond operation and a foremost producer of large Type IIA diamonds including one of the world's largest diamonds (1,109 carats)
Metallurgy Manager
Norilsk Nickel
01.2009 - 01.2013
- The operation consisted of a nickel/copper processing plant with 12million tonne per annum crushing plants, DMS/HMS plant, and 5 million tonne per annum milling plant, flotation, and filtration circuits
- In this role I directed tasks to Metallurgical teams, providing technical support and training for Metallurgical plants
- I conducted process improvement and implemented capital projects across the Metallurgical value chain
- I successfully implemented the integration of Dense medium separation (DMS) into a base metal plant thus increasing the life of mine (LOM) by 7 years
- Improved the final concentrate quality to consistently achieve 5-8% residual gangue (impurities) in line with customer product specification from a baseline performance of 15%
- The improvements were critical inputs into the bankable feasibility study (BFS) for life of mine extension studies
Senior Process Engineer
De Beers/Debswana
01.2000 - 01.2009
- Company Overview: De Beers (Anglo American) is a World's leading diamond producer by value consisting of multiple open pits, Processing plants, and integrated diamond recovery plants
- I led a multi-disciplined team of process, production engineers and project specialists in the delivery of production targets, additionally responsible for assessing opportunities to improve operational process efficiency and systems (e.g., diamond control, diamond value management, asset management, diamond recovery factors, optimal consumable utilization) in line with overall Business Strategy
- I implemented DMS capacity upgrade resulting in a 10% capacity increase and 2% overall plant utilisation improvement
- Successfully conducted diamond value management roll-out at Letlhakane and achieved 6% improvement in the overall process efficiency based on the comminution circuit and DMS improvements
- This was in line with the overall diamond value management's (DVM) overarching objective of $/tonne revenue improvement year on year
- I conducted extensive high-pressure grinding roll crusher optimisation (HPGR) at Orapa No2 plant which led to 11% liberation factor improvement through implementation of studded rolls
- De Beers (Anglo American) is a World's leading diamond producer by value consisting of multiple open pits, Processing plants, and integrated diamond recovery plants
Metallurgist
BHP
01.1996 - 01.1999
- Company Overview: BHP Hartley Platinum (Australia), a 'green fields' project with integrated processing plants comprising of a concentrator, smelter, and a Refinery
- I gained practical knowledge of the comminution circuit design, flotation design, layout, operation, commissioning, smelting and refinery operations in line with BHP graduate metallurgist training programme
- I conducted filter press optimization in the concentrate handling area and successfully managed to cut cloth consumption levels by 8%, optimized cycle times which resulted in capacity improvements
- Implemented improved tailings, thickening automated operational protocols following extensive test work which resulted in water and critically flocculant consumption savings translating into $3.5m savings annually
- BHP Hartley Platinum (Australia), a 'green fields' project with integrated processing plants comprising of a concentrator, smelter, and a Refinery
Education
Post Graduate Diploma Business Administration -
Master of Business Administration - undefined
Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors - undefined
Project Management - undefined
Lean six sigma training - undefined
Western Australia
Star gate transformational Leadership programme - undefined
Appointed Persons Section 44 Training - undefined
Western Australia
B.Sc. Metallurgical Engineering honours Degree -
Skills
Operations management
Metallurgical programme design and management
Study management (PEA, PFS,DFS)
Process design
Process improvement
Operations management
Project management (Technical risk and governance for safe delivery of projects)
Plant commissioning
Safety leadership
Training and mentoring
Stakeholder communication
Leadership (Project and operational teams)
Timeline
Technical Manager
Prospect Resources
01.2019 - Current
Senior Process Engineer
Independence group
01.2017 - 01.2018
Process Engineer
Mineral Resources Limited
01.2016 - 01.2017
Process Manager
Lucara Diamond Corporation
01.2013 - 01.2016
Metallurgy Manager
Norilsk Nickel
01.2009 - 01.2013
Senior Process Engineer
De Beers/Debswana
01.2000 - 01.2009
Metallurgist
BHP
01.1996 - 01.1999
Master of Business Administration - undefined
Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors - undefined
Project Management - undefined
Lean six sigma training - undefined
Western Australia
Star gate transformational Leadership programme - undefined
Appointed Persons Section 44 Training - undefined
Western Australia
Post Graduate Diploma Business Administration -
B.Sc. Metallurgical Engineering honours Degree -
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