Metallurgists are mineral experts specialising in the extraction of metals from their ores. They oversee, develop and test processes used in metal extraction and alloying and casting materials to produce commercial metal products. Metallurgists work in mines or mineral processing sites in collaboration with engineers and geologists or in laboratories in a research capacity.

Their role can include studying and applying physical methods for separating minerals from their ores using various techniques, working with operators of the plant to ensure efficiencies within the processes, developing and controlling methods of storing and treating waste material and preparing technical reports. Metallurgists usually enjoy chemistry, physics, and mathematics and have an interest in engineering. They also tend to be good communicators, verbally and in written form.