OSWALD MARCUS OPPONG
Tarkwa
Summary
A MINCOM-certified Plant Metallurgist with over 5+ years of leadership and technical experience in CIL, heap leach, flotation, crushing, milling, and elution circuits. Proven track record in improving gold recovery by 22%, reducing reagent consumption by 12% and optimizing plant throughput using METSIM Software. Skilled at PI systems (PI Datalink) and SCADA monitoring. Strong background in metallurgical accounting, process optimization, and ISO-compliant operations. Strong technical capability in metallurgical and flotation test works, process simulation, flowsheet development, and plant trials. Demonstrated leadership in coaching teams, enforcing safety standards, and driving continuous improvement that aligns with operational and HSE expectations.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Plant Metallurgist
Goldstone Mining Limited
01.2024 - Current
- Led metallurgists, operators, and maintenance teams, improving daily coordination and reducing process delays by 10-12%.
- Increased gold recovery from 68% to 83% through leaching optimization, reagent control, and kinetic improvements.
- Reduced reagent consumption by 12%, lowering operational costs by 10-15% using METSIM simulations and adjustments controls.
- Exceeded monthly production targets by 13% through proactive monitoring and corrective actions.
- Developed Metallurgical dashboards using PI Data Link that improved KPI tracking and operational decisions.
- Improved grind size control and mill performance through liner wear monitoring and surveys.
Plant Metallurgist
TW Mining
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Increased plant throughput by 12% through crushing and milling optimization.
- Improved sulfide flotation recovery by 8% via xanthate dosage optimization and froth control.
- Enhanced thickener performance by optimizing flocculant dosage, improving underflow density and overflow clarity.
- Conducted laboratory flotation test works on refractory ores, achieving 10% higher recovery compared to baseline.
- Designed and commissioned a regeneration kiln, improving carbon reactivation by 25% and gold absorption by 15%.
- Reduced plant downtime by 7% using predictive failure analysis.
- Trained and mentored junior metallurgists and plant operators on sampling procedures, reagent control, and SCADA monitoring, improving team competency and reducing operational errors by 15%
Plant Metallurgist
Goldfields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa Mine
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Conducted test-works on steel ball hardness, carbon activity, and leach kinetics, improving overall plant operations by 6%.
- Carried out Mill liner measurement (SAG and BALL Mills) and spigot measurements of hydro - cyclones during maintenance shutdown.
- Performed metallurgical accounting, daily sampling, and process data analysis for production optimization.
- Monitored Elution process on SCADA and on field to draw analysis of stripping and elution efficiency.
- Engaged in SAG and Ball mill liner wear analysis, optimizing grinding performance and reducing power consumption.
Education
BSc - Metallurgical Engineering (Mineral Processing)
University of Mines of and Technology (UMaT)
Tarkwa, GhanaSkills
- Metallurgical Plant Design (CIL, CIP, AARL, Elution)
- Flotation Optimization (Froth Control, Recovery improvement)
- Metallurgical Accounting & Mass Balance
- Cost Reduction & Reagent Management
- Throughput Maximization & Reconciliation
- METSIM
- SCADA Monitoring
Certification
- MINCOM Certification of Competence – Ghana Minerals Commission
- Certification in Modern Project and Risk Management (MPRM)
- Postgraduate Diploma – Occupational Health and Safety Management (OHSM)
- ISO Standards (45001, 9001, 14001) – Integrated Management System (IMS)
- Emergency Cyanide Management Training Certificate (Basic Life Support)
- Saint John’s First Aid Certificate
Accomplishments
- Increased overall gold recovery by 22% across multiple metallurgical circuits.
- Utilized copper sulfate (CuSO₄) as an activator to improve sphalerite response, boosting recovery in mixed ore circuits.
- Reduced reagent consumption by 12% through predictive data analysis and METSIM simulation, cutting operational costs by 5-8%
- Reduced plant and equipment downtimes by 7% through failure analysis.
- Led a team of operators to exceed monthly production targets by 13% while maintaining zero safety incidents.
- Conducted laboratory trials with starch depressants to evaluate iron oxide depression in mixed ore flotation.
Leadership and Safety Competencies
- Shift Supervision and Cross-Functional Coordination
- Coaching and Mentoring Graduate Metallurgist and Operators.
- Safety Compliance (ISO, OHSM)
- Enforcement of SOP’s and Isolations Standards
- Continuous Improvement and Operational Excellence
- Stakeholder Reporting and Executive Communication
Timeline
Plant Metallurgist
Goldstone Mining Limited
01.2024 - Current
Plant Metallurgist
TW Mining
01.2021 - 01.2023
Plant Metallurgist
Goldfields Ghana Limited, Tarkwa Mine
01.2019 - 01.2021
BSc - Metallurgical Engineering (Mineral Processing)
University of Mines of and Technology (UMaT)