Job Description

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 requirements

We are seeking a passionate and experienced Instrumentation PLC & SCADA Technician, ideally with a background in mining, to join our team at South Crofty. In this pivotal role, you will be at the core of our operations, ensuring the reliability, safety, efficiency, and security of our industrial SCADA network across both underground and surface facilities. Key assets include underground equipment, hoists and winders, as well as the mineral processing plant.

As a PLC & SCADA Technician, you will be responsible for the design, development, and maintenance of automated control systems, including Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), and SCADA technologies. Your work will involve:

Developing and debugging control software to support operational excellence Commissioning new systems and ensuring seamless integration into existing infrastructure Troubleshooting and resolving issues to optimize process performance Collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver safe and efficient solutions
This is a unique opportunity to contribute to the modernization of a historic mining operation, applying cutting-edge automation and control expertise to a challenging and rewarding environment.

Cornish Metals is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to diversity, equality and inclusion in the workplace. A copy of our Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Policy is available on request.

Principle responsibilities/role tasks

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

SCADA/PLC Development:

Design, program, and implement SCADA and PLC systems, control architectures, and HMI panels. (Tia Portal and WinCC)

System Integration:

Specify and integrate control systems during equipment design and selection to ensure seamless operation.

Control Philosophy & Documentation:

Implement control philosophies, nd P&ID diagrams to guide engineering execution.

PLC Programming Expertise:

Create, maintain, and optimize PLC programs across multiple platforms (Siemens, Modbus, ProfNet, Schnider).

Commissioning & Testing:

Commissioning of equipment and installations, performing functional tests to verify safety, efficiency, and compliance.

Automation Governance:

Maintain PLC backups, update automation documentation, and ensure disaster recovery protocols are in place.

Fault Diagnosis & Troubleshooting:

Investigate and resolve complex machine faults across PLC/HMI/drive/safety systems, applying root?cause analysis and preventive measures.

Asset Management:

Establish and maintain a comprehensive asset register covering PLCs, HMIs, drives, safety relays, I/O modules, firmware versions, project files, licensing, and related hardware/software.

Continuous Improvement:

Manage PLC modifications and system upgrades, ensuring proper governance and documentation.

Compliance & Security:

Oversee installation and management of control systems in line with company policy, covering roles and responsibilities, access control, configuration management, backup and recovery, auditing, monitoring, and regulatory compliance.
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 Site Electrical Engineer, but there will be frequent interaction with a variety of other members such as Electrical Foreman, Mechanical Foreman, Mine Captains, Shift Managers the Project Teams. External relationships will include suppliers and external contractors.

Skills and experience

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

hands-on technical knowledge, strong problem-solving abilities, effective communication to manage teams and report to management, and excellent time and resource management to prioritize tasks and ensure safety protocols are followed.

Electrical Engineering Expertise:

Degree or HNC/HND qualified, apprenticeship-trained in Automation and Controls, with advanced technical knowledge of electrical systems.

Extensive Industry Experience:

Over 5 years as an instrumentation technician or, with proven proficiency in PLC systems, HMI software, and PLC programming.

Problem-Solving & Critical Thinking:

Skilled at analysing complex technical issues, evaluating solutions, and implementing effective strategies under pressure.

Communication & Stakeholder Engagement:

Strong interpersonal abilities, fostering collaboration across teams, departments, and external partners

.

Adaptability & Innovation:

Quick to embrace new technologies and equipment to drive operational improvements and efficiency.

PLC & SCADA Expertise:

Experienced in fault-finding and implementing program modifications across a range of PLCs, SCADA systems within industrial networks.

Servo Drives & Inverters:

Solid knowledge of servo drive systems and inverter technologies.

Control Circuit Design-

Experience in Control Circuit design

Desirable

Specialised Knowledge of Mining Equipment: Skilled in electrical infrastructure, winders and shafts, pumps and mineral/water processing plants. Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) or a Member of Institute of Electrical Engineers (IEE) or Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining (IM3) or another relevant institution Working knowledge of the Mines Regs 2014 and HSG 278 (Electrical Safety in Mines) NEBOSH General Certificate or IOSH Managing Safely (Or equivalent Industrial Safety Course) Be proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) etc

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, 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: 44,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person