Meet Simon Walsh
Simon Walsh has spent almost 30 years shaping, studying and solving some of the resources sector’s most complex metallurgical challenges. Known for his deep technical expertise, sharp due diligence insight and disarmingly down to earth style, Simon has built a career defined by variety – working across commodities, continents and companies.
Today as Principal Metallurgist at Lifezone Metals and Simulus Engineers and Laboratories, Simon plays a key role in technical review, metallurgical strategy and project evaluation, particularly through his involvement in the Kabanga Nickel Project and Lifezone’s growing portfolio of critical mineral opportunities. His work spans independent technical reviews, competent person reporting and support for mergers, acquisitions and project funding, and his week can involve anything from gold in West Africa and battery metals in East Africa to uranium in Australia or even scandium in New South Wales.
Whether in operations, design, due diligence or leadership, Simon brings equal parts rigour and humour to his work, often describing himself as “part consultant, part insultant,” a play on project owners not always liking what they hear. His passion for the discipline, and for the people within it, remains as strong today as it was on day one.
Q&A with Simon Walsh
Q1) What actually is metallurgy and what initially drew you into the profession?
In one sentence, metallurgy is the science of extracting metals from their ores. Simplistically, I tell people the geologists find it, the mining engineers dig it up and the metallurgists process it, although in reality the number of disciplines involved stretches well beyond that and often includes areas people wouldn’t expect, including investor relations!
I more or less fell into metallurgy. I was stronger in my STEM subjects, including maths and chemistry but didn’t really know what I wanted to do despite having a couple of uncles as geologists (which I probably didn’t appreciate at the time). I still remember my parents whisking me around one Sunday afternoon for a socially awkward meeting with a few of their friends and here I am today, nearly 35 years later.
Q2) How has your work evolved across different projects and commodities?
I don’t really think I fully understood what metallurgy was until second year at university, but retrospectively asking me in hindsight, I would suggest, the opportunities offered, particularly here in Perth and Western Australia, who you would argue is one of, if not, the heart of resources in Australia and right up there on the World scene. The people, the travel, the job variety and job security, the diversity, and these days you would also strongly argue that we are integral to the energy transition movement- critical minerals and strategic metals, I like to think we are helping save the planet. It typically pays ok as well which doesn’t hurt!
“The people, travel, job variety and the sheer scale of opportunity in Western Australia have shaped my entire career – it’s one of the true hearts of the global resources industry.“
Q3) What’s a career milestone or project that has had a defining influence on your professional path?
There have been several, getting my first plant metallurgist gig out at the Ora Banda gold mine, which operated on the smell of an oily rag, gave me real responsibility from day one. Then getting my first stripes and promoted into the emerging and heady nickel laterite industry at the time where I helped get the Cawse Nickel and Cobalt Project into operation.
The challenges of moving into middle management at Alcoa Kwinana and learning first hand about complex operations, and even more complex nature of engaging with the unions – especially during EBA negotiations. The final career milestone would have been taking a leap of faith with an engineering, laboratory and consulting business start up with colleagues, then ultimately selling it 20 years later. But I am not done yet, I hope there are a few more projects and milestones coming my way!
Q4) What keeps you passionate about the discipline and its challenges?
I have worked in a diverse range of roles so it depends a little. Where I find myself now and have for many years, is in due diligence, independent technical reviews, qualified and competent person sign off, and largely helping companies (and people) with mergers and acquisitions and funding projects. I have lost count of how many I have done over the years. I sometimes joke that I am part consultant and part ‘insultant’, a play on project owners not always liking what they hear!
It’s the people, the commodities and the variety of projects I am involved with every day that keeps me passionate. This week alone I’ve reviewed gold projects in West Africa, Nickel-Copper-Cobalt in East Africa, Copper-Cobalt in the Congo, uranium in Australia, lithium and gold in WA and scandium in NSW. Next week is just as likely to be iron ore or magnetite, bauxite, rare earths, potash, phosphate, base metals, I never quite know what the day will bring! Ultimately, I am proud of all the work that those in the resource sector do and the positive impact it has on WA, Australia and internationally.
“I never quite know what the day will bring – one week it’s gold in West Africa, the next it’s scandium in New South Wales or uranium in Australia. That variety is what keeps me interested and passionate.”
Q5) What industry shifts do you expect to have the biggest impact over the next five years?
I am going to throw some of the usual suspects in, but a few that jump to mind, in no particular order include; orebody complexity, productivity and value improvement, technology integration, industry movement and consolidation, decarbonisation and circular economy, disruptive forces which are varied but including geopolitical, and workforce model evolution – where are the graduates coming from, capabilities, adaptability, and future roles.
One major influence will simply be whichever commodity is “hot” at the time. Our industry loves to pivot depending on what’s in favour, whether that’s lithium, gold, critical minerals, strategic metals or something completely different. That momentum often shapes where many of us focus our work. I wish I had a crystal ball – it would make answering this a lot easier!
Q6) What advice would you share with upcoming metallurgists or graduates entering the field today?
I often tell new graduates that you are the master of your own destiny, and that no one has better interests in your development than yourself! Get involved, put in the work, keep learning, network and be willing to promote yourself in a way that supports both you and the business. Early on, get into the field and onto operations, earn your stripes and be open to opportunities.
Then embrace the opportunities offered and, be open to both work and travel opportunities when they present themselves. That will kick start your progression through the ranks and let those experiences and what you enjoy, inform your path from there. And don’t forget to enjoy yourself! I think much of that extends to your personal and family life – you get out what you put in.
Simon’s career reflects a dedication to the craft of metallurgy and to the evolving needs of the resources sector. His contribution continues to support Lifezone Metals’ and the Similus Group’s growth and the broader industry’s transition toward new technologies and critical minerals. We’re proud to share his story as part of The Company We Keep.
