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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for a Fire Assay Technician

💰 $45,000 - $70,000

LaboratoryMiningGeoscienceSkilled Trades

🎯 Role Definition

This role requires a meticulous and dedicated Fire Assay Technician to join our state-of-the-art laboratory team. In this critical role, you will be at the forefront of the precious metals evaluation process, performing the centuries-old, yet highly precise, fire assay technique to determine the gold, silver, and platinum group element content in geological and metallurgical samples. As a Fire Assay Technician, you are the cornerstone of quality control for mining exploration and production, providing the essential data that drives major operational decisions. This position requires a strong commitment to safety, precision, and efficiency in a fast-paced, high-volume production environment.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Sample Preparation Technician
  • Laboratory Assistant or Aide
  • Recent graduate with a degree in Chemistry or Geology

Advancement To:

  • Senior Fire Assay Technician / Crew Lead
  • Laboratory Supervisor or Manager
  • Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) Coordinator
  • Laboratory Chemist

Lateral Moves:

  • Metallurgical Technician
  • Geochemical Analyst (Wet Chemistry)
  • Instrumentation Specialist (AAS/ICP)

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Execute the complete fire assay process, including sample weighing, flux mixing, fusion, cupellation, and acid parting, to determine precious metal concentrations.
  • Precisely weigh and record sample and flux weights, ensuring accuracy for subsequent calculations and maintaining sample integrity throughout the process.
  • Operate and monitor high-temperature fusion and cupellation furnaces, making necessary adjustments to temperature and atmospheric conditions to ensure optimal smelting and collection.
  • Perform the delicate task of cupellation, separating precious metals from lead and other impurities to produce a dore bead for final analysis.
  • Conduct acid digestion (parting) of silver/gold beads to isolate gold for final weighing and analysis.
  • Operate and perform routine maintenance on analytical instrumentation such as Atomic Absorption Spectrometers (AAS) or Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) systems for final sample determination.
  • Meticulously prepare and process quality control samples, including blanks, standards, and duplicates, in accordance with the laboratory's QA/QC protocols.
  • Accurately enter and manage analytical data within the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), ensuring a clear and traceable audit trail for all samples.
  • Perform multi-stage sample preparation procedures including crushing, splitting, and pulverizing of rock, soil, and core samples to achieve required particle size and homogeneity.
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment, performing daily housekeeping duties to prevent contamination and ensure operational efficiency.
  • Adhere strictly to all company safety policies and procedures, including the proper use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling hazardous materials like lead oxide, silica, and corrosive acids.
  • Conduct routine performance checks and basic preventative maintenance on laboratory equipment, including furnaces, pulverizers, and balances, to minimize downtime.
  • Assist in troubleshooting and resolving procedural and instrumental issues that may arise during the assaying process to maintain workflow and quality.
  • Manage laboratory consumables and reagent inventory, reporting low stock levels to the supervisor to ensure uninterrupted operations.
  • Pour molten slag and lead from fusion crucibles into molds, demonstrating proper technique to ensure safety and efficient separation.
  • Prepare and label crucibles for fusion, ensuring correct sample identification is maintained throughout the entire assay process.
  • Assist senior staff and chemists with method development, validation, and special analytical projects as required.
  • Follow detailed Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) without deviation, while also providing feedback for potential process improvements.
  • Work effectively within a team structure to meet demanding production targets and turnaround times without compromising the quality of results.
  • Participate actively in daily safety meetings (toolbox talks) and contribute to a proactive and positive safety culture within the laboratory.

Secondary Functions

  • Assist with special project requests for non-routine sample analysis and method validation.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of laboratory procedures and quality control protocols.
  • Collaborate with the sample receiving and data entry teams to ensure accurate sample tracking and reporting through the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
  • Participate in daily team meetings to plan workload, prioritize urgent samples (rushes), and address any operational challenges.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Deep understanding and hands-on proficiency in classical fire assay techniques, including fusion, cupellation, and parting.
  • Experience with the operation of analytical instruments for elemental analysis, particularly Atomic Absorption (AAS) and/or ICP-OES/MS.
  • Familiarity with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) for sample tracking, data entry, and reporting.
  • Proficient in the operation and basic maintenance of sample preparation equipment (crushers, pulverizers) and high-temperature furnaces.
  • Strong mathematical skills for performing calculations related to weights, dilutions, and final concentrations.
  • Knowledge of safe laboratory practices and hazardous material handling, including WHMIS, GHS, and protocols for working with lead and acids.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional attention to detail and a methodical approach to ensure accuracy and precision in a repetitive, process-driven environment.
  • Superior time management and organizational skills to manage high sample volumes and meet strict deadlines.
  • Ability to work effectively both independently with minimal supervision and as a cooperative member of a production team.
  • A strong work ethic and the physical stamina to stand for extended periods and lift heavy objects (up to 50 lbs).
  • Proactive problem-solving abilities to identify and troubleshoot issues with equipment or analytical procedures.
  • Unwavering commitment to maintaining a safe work environment for oneself and colleagues.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent.

Preferred Education:

  • Post-secondary diploma or degree in a science-related field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Chemistry
  • Geology
  • Environmental Science
  • Chemical Technology

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 1-5 years of experience in a commercial assay, geochemical, or metallurgical laboratory environment.

Preferred:

  • 2+ years of direct, hands-on experience in a high-throughput fire assay laboratory, with demonstrated proficiency in all aspects of the process.
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