LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

Job Description: Assayer / Lab Technician Job Objective: To perform chemical and physical analysis of ore and metal samples using Fire Assay and Wet Assay techniques, ensuring accurate results for precious metals (e.g., gold and silver) and base metals concentrations, while strictly adhering to quality control and occupational health and safety standards. 1. Fire Assay Responsibilities This area focuses on extracting precious metals from samples using high temperature processes: • Fluxing: Accurately weighing samples and mixing them with the appropriate chemical reagents (flux) based on the ore type to ensure an optimal smelting process. • Fusion (Smelting): Operating high-temperature smelting furnaces, pouring the molten samples into designated molds, and separating the lead button from the slag. • Cupellation: Operating cupellation furnaces to oxidize and isolate the lead, resulting in a precious metal bead (prill). • Micro-Weighing: Utilizing highly precise microbalances to weigh the extracted metals and calculate concentrations accurately.

 • Equipment Maintenance: Conducting daily checks on smelting and cupellation furnaces, and cleaning crucibles and pouring equipment. 2. Wet Assay Responsibilities This area focuses on analyzing metals using chemical solutions and reactions: • Chemical Digestion: Dissolving solid samples or extracted metal prills using strong acids (e.g., Aqua Regia) to convert them into liquid solutions. • Instrumental Analysis: Operating and calibrating spectrophotometers, such as Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) or Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) machines, to read metal concentrations in solutions. • Reagent Preparation: Preparing standard solutions and chemical reagents required for daily analysis and titration processes. • Chemical Waste Management: Safely disposing of used acids and chemical solutions in accordance with approved environmental protocols. 3. General Duties, QA/QC & HSE