Kayla J. Yelverton
Senior Process Metallurgist
Salt Lake City, UT · (337) 555 0106 · name@example.com · linkedin.com/in/kaylajyelverton
Key Qualifications
EXPERIENCE
Eleven years in copper concentrator metallurgy and process engineering
INDUSTRIES
Copper and molybdenum concentrating, precious metals byproducts, engineering consulting
SPECIALTIES
Flotation circuit optimization, reagent schemes, grinding and classification, recovery modeling
SYSTEMS
Metsim, JKSimMet, Power BI, Aveva historian, Minitab
CREDENTIALS
Professional Engineer in Utah, metallurgical discipline, part 48 training
EDUCATION
Master of Science in metallurgical engineering, University of Utah
Results at a Glance
1.4%
Age points
22%
Reagent trial
61
Percent by rebuilding
0.8
Kilowatt hours
Executive Summary
Process metallurgist with eleven years on copper flotation circuits, accountable for recovery and concentrate grade at a plant treating 110 thousand tons a day. Runs plant trials that hold up statistically and models circuit changes in Metsim before anyone touches a valve. Licensed Professional Engineer in Utah.
Signature Achievements
- Raised copper recovery by 1.4 percentage points through a rougher residence time change worth 8.7 million dollars a year.
- Cut collector consumption by 22 percent in a reagent trial with no loss in concentrate grade.
- Lifted molybdenum recovery from 61 to 72 percent by rebuilding cleaner column air and wash water control.
- Reduced grinding specific energy by 0.8 kilowatt hours a ton by working with the pit on blast fragmentation targets.
- Cut concentrate moisture and removed two rail car rejections a quarter at the smelter.
Professional Experience
Senior Process Metallurgist
Oquirrh Ridge Copper, Magna, UT 2019 to present
Concentrator treating 110 thousand tons a day of porphyry copper ore with a molybdenum cleaning circuit
- Own recovery, concentrate grade and reagent cost for the flotation circuit.
- Design and analyze plant trials and present results to the operations leadership team.
- Maintain the Metsim model of the circuit and test changes before capital submission.
- Lead the monthly metallurgical accounting review with finance and the smelter contract group.
Process Metallurgist
Wasatch Mineral Processing, Tooele, UT 2016 to 2019
Lead and zinc concentrator processing 4,500 tons a day with a small silver circuit
- Ran daily circuit surveys and balanced the plant against assays.
- Introduced a depressant change that lifted zinc concentrate grade by 3 percent.
- Supervised two metallurgical technicians and the on site laboratory.
Process Engineer
Great Salt Engineering Group, Salt Lake City, UT 2015 to 2016
Engineering consultancy delivering plant studies for regional mining clients
- Completed mass balance and equipment sizing work for two concentrator expansion studies.
- Ran laboratory flotation test programs and reported results to client project managers.
- Learned Metsim modeling under a principal engineer.
Licensure and Certification
Professional Engineer, Utah, license number 9114582
Mine Safety and Health Administration part 48 training, refresher completed in 2025
Member, Society for Mining, Metallurgy and Exploration, mineral and metallurgical processing division
Education
Master of Science in metallurgical engineering, University of Utah, 2015
Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering, Michigan Technological University, 2013
Core Skills
Flotation optimization · Reagent scheme design · Grinding circuit analysis · Metallurgical accounting · Plant trial design · Metsim · JKSimMet · Minitab · Mass balancing · Technical presentation