The Assistant Chemist/Lab Technician reports to the Lab Manager and is responsible for the below:
Responsibilities
Sample Preparation
- Receive and label all samples brought into the lab for accountability.
- Prepare samples from drying, crushing, splitting and pulverising.
- Mix fluxing reagents and load samples in furnace for the fire assay.
- Mix reagents for acid digestions.
- Perform fire assay techniques such as fluxing, fusing and cupellation of samples in correct numerical order.
- Perform smelting and sample extraction of precious metals as and when required
Recovery of Precious Metals such as Gold and Silver via Fire Assay techniques
- Assist with the recovery of precious metals such as Gold and Silver using Fire Assay techniques.
Measurement & Calibration
- Monitor analytical processes and take remedial action where deviations / discrepancies arise impacting on the quality of analytical results.
- Report any apparatus or equipment which, to your knowledge, is not functioning correctly to the Lab Manager
Perform Laboratory Data Analysis and Reporting
- Testing of precious metals scraps through cupellation method (fire assaying).
- Evaluate, validate, ensure and report technical accuracy of reporting analytical results
- Monitor analytical processes and take remedial actions where deviations / discrepancies arise impacting the quality of analytical results.
- Re-analyse analysis samples when control results are not within the acceptable range.
Quality Control
- Inspect samples, fusions, lead buttons and prills to ensure the assaying method is correct.
- Maintain records and accountability of materials (samples and standards) and equipment used.
Equipment Maintenance and Troubleshooting
- Report any apparatus or equipment which, to your knowledge, is not functioning correctly to the Lab manager.
- Assist in the procurement and placement of all consumables, equipment and fixtures.
- Assist in the general / preventive maintenance of equipment and housekeeping of the laboratory.
- Maintain and record equipment faults.
- Troubleshooting of analysis methods.
Laboratory Housekeeping
- Ensure and maintain work areas and equipment are clean, tidy and organised.
Compliance with Safety Protocols and Local Regulatory
- Assist with the application and maintenance of all necessary governmental licenses related to the laboratory.
- Promote and implement workplace safety initiatives.
- Ensure and maintain proper sample disposal of waste such as cupels and fire assay lead.
- Wastes or water generated as a part of daily work performed in a safe manner and in compliance with the disposal regulations and requirements.
- React appropriately and immediately to emergency situations and assists other employees in maintaining readiness to respond to emergencies within the workplace.
Job Requirement
Educational & Professional Qualifications
- Minimum Diploma qualification in Chemistry or its related field.
- Knowledge in safe handling of industrial chemicals.
- Possess effective verbal and written communication skills.
- Fearless of hot environment.
- Able to lift 10kg bars of precious metals.
Relevant Experience
- Problem solving skills.
- Have experience in selecting and setting up of equipment and processes to recover precious metals including gold, silver, platinum, palladium, rhodium is an advantage.
- Possess experience and the ability to operate ICP / XRF is an advantage.
- Must be willing to work overtime whenever necessary.
