Steve Tsafack
Ottawa,ON
Summary
Forward-thinking Process Engineer with more than 10 years of experience in process operation and optimization. Known for great time management, effective multitasking and ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams. Skilled in advanced data analytics, and adept at fostering cross-functional teamwork. Excel in leveraging technical troubleshooting and continuous improvement methodologies to drive project success and operational excellence.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Process Engineer
Victoria Gold
11.2023 - Current
- Managing all projects in process operation including fixed maintenance, metallurgy, and electrical & instrumentation.
- Optimized crushing performance by implementing gaping technologies for gyratory crusher and cone crushers.
- Developed process control strategies and worked with automation engineer to automate secondary and tertiary crushing that resulted in average production increase of 9%.
- Implemented modern downtime tracking software to identify bad actors and train site personnel.
- Connected Delta V information to Pi and SQL databases to build BI Dashboards to enable monitoring of KPIs.
- Built complete Pi Vision displays and train to enable remote monitoring and troubleshooting of processes and train site personnel.
- Established and driving data-driven process for preparing budget for projects and developed multi-year optimization roadmap.
- Working with metallurgists on initiatives to reduce carbon consumption in gold recovery plant.
Deployment Specialist
Teck Resources
05.2022 - 12.2023
- Seconded to Red Dog Mine in Alaska for 2 years and responsible for coordinating interactions between development roles and plant operations that led to successful development and deployment of digital analytics solutions for grinding and flotation, and 3D imaging tool for stockpile management.
- Implemented modern downtime tracking software for bad actor identification.
- Performed valuation to demonstrate value achieved and sustained by analytics solutions.
Senior Metallurgist
Nyrstar
12.2020 - 04.2022
- Oversaw conversion of rodmill to ballmill that increased plant throughput by 30%, reduced operating cost, and improved zinc concentrate quality.
- Enhanced Flotation process by troubleshooting and modifying flow of material to alleviate the effect of increased throughput on recovery and concentrate quality.
- Developed reagent and grinding media addition model that increased zinc recovery by 1.4%.
- Oversaw the design and installation of standby tailings slurry pumping system to reduce operation downtime.
- Developed and implemented SPC charts to drive continuous improvement.
- Supervised and mentored junior metallurgists in refining their technical skills and knowledge base, fostering strong teamwork environment.
- Acted as mill manager when manager was absent.
Metallurgist II
Freeport-McMoRan
01.2018 - 11.2020
- Performed bottleneck analysis of crushing plant and developed constraint dashboard to continuously monitor and resolve daily constraints, resulting in improved product size for milling circuit.
- Performed flotation testworks to advise on optimum operating parameters for flotation.
- Supervised work of lab technologists, and on-stream analyzer technicians.
- Reviewed, and streamlined lab process to reduce mistakes, and processing time of lab samples.
- Worked with grinding media supplier to optimize model for media addition in order to improve grinding performance.
- Supported to the deployment of digital analytics to the processing plant that led to increase in throughput by 20% and sustain copper recovery.
- Managed inventory of chemicals and supplies, guaranteeing availability during critical periods of production schedules.
Metallurgist
De Beers
06.2014 - 11.2017
- Performed testworks on x-ray and laser sorters for different ore bodies and established optimum machine parameters that increased diamond recovery by 2%.
- Regularly audited dense medium separation circuit and diamond recovery plant to ensure high diamond recovery is sustained.
- Supervised metallurgical lab and diamond sorting and cleaning room.
- Worked on screening efficiency that improved ore sizing and savings on main diamond separation reagent.
- Conducted study to increase plant throughput with the addition of magnetic separator to the recovery plant.
Chemical Engineering Intern
Syncrude
05.2012 - 12.2012
- Worked with multi-disciplinary teams in R&D to develop innovative solutions for oil production.
- Developed technical reports on experimental findings for presentation to internal stakeholders, facilitating informed decision-making processes.
- Supported scale-up efforts from laboratory to pilot plant, enabling smooth transitions between phases of development.
Plant Operator
Teck Resources
01.2011 - 08.2011
- Ensured accurate data collection by diligently recording all operational parameters and equipment readings for analysis.
- Conducted safety inspections and followed safety rules and procedures.
- Supported study to determine the most economical solution for dewatering slurry
Education
Master of Science - Data Analytics - Business Analytics Option
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania05.2022
Master of Science - Engineering Management
Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania08.2020
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta05.2013
Skills
- Project Management
- Comminution, Flotation
- Dense Medium Separation, Dewatering
- Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics
- SQL, Python, and R scripting
- Aveva Pi System, Power BI
- Continuous Improvement
- Change Management
Languages
English
French
Certification
- Six Sigma Black Belt, Aveta Business Institute - December 2015
Timeline
Process Engineer
Victoria Gold
11.2023 - Current
Deployment Specialist
Teck Resources
05.2022 - 12.2023
Senior Metallurgist
Nyrstar
12.2020 - 04.2022
Metallurgist II
Freeport-McMoRan
01.2018 - 11.2020
Metallurgist
De Beers
06.2014 - 11.2017
Chemical Engineering Intern
Syncrude
05.2012 - 12.2012
Plant Operator
Teck Resources
01.2011 - 08.2011
Master of Science - Data Analytics - Business Analytics Option
Pennsylvania State University
Master of Science - Engineering Management
Pennsylvania State University
Bachelor of Science - Chemical Engineering
University of Alberta
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