Refinery Laboratorist - Gold and Silver Assay

About the role

The Refinery Laboratorist conducts and supervises laboratory testing, sampling, assaying and quality-control activities for gold, silver and other precious metals. The role ensures accurate purity analysis, reliable results, compliance with laboratory standards and continuous improvement in metal recovery and refining processes.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct and supervise sampling, sample preparation, fire assay, XRF and other precious-metal tests.
• Verify purity and composition against specifications, including 999/999.9 standards where applicable.
• Review and confirm results, investigate discrepancies and arrange retesting when needed.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records and full sample traceability.
• Account for samples, residues, crucibles, cupels and laboratory waste, ensuring materials are collected for recovery.
• Work with refinery and furnace teams to address quality issues, improve processes and reduce metal losses.
• Maintain, calibrate and arrange servicing of laboratory equipment and balances.
• Keep the laboratory clean and ensure safe handling and storage of chemicals, reagents and equipment.
• Develop and follow laboratory SOPs, sampling methods and quality-control procedures.
• Advise management on assay accuracy, recovery, quality and laboratory improvements.
• Train and guide laboratory and refinery staff in testing, sampling, quality control and safety.

Required profile

• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in a precious-metals refinery, assay laboratory, gold testing laboratory or similar environment.
• Practical experience in gold and silver sampling, assaying and purity determination.
• Experience handling precious-metal samples and maintaining metal accountability.
• Ability to analyse assay discrepancies, recommend corrective actions and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to train and guide staff, with strong integrity, accuracy and attention to detail.

Required skills

• Fire assay and XRF, and other precious-metal analytical techniques.
• Precious-metal refining, production, laboratory quality control and calibration.
• Knowledge of laboratory chemicals, reagents and safety procedures.