Senior Laboratory Manager (gold / fire assay / mineral processing) - South America

A growing mining operation is seeking an experienced and highly motivated Head of Fire Assay Laboratory to lead laboratory operations supporting gold mining and mineral processing activities.

This senior leadership role is responsible for overseeing all fire assay and laboratory functions, ensuring the accuracy, integrity, and timely delivery of analytical results that support grade control, metallurgical accounting, gold recovery monitoring, and operational decision-making.

The successful candidate will provide technical leadership, manage laboratory personnel, and ensure compliance with quality, safety, and environmental standards within a demanding production environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and supervise the daily operations of the Fire Assay Laboratory.
  
• Lead and develop laboratory personnel, including assayers, technicians, and sample preparation teams.
  
• Ensure accurate preparation, testing, analysis, and reporting of assay and laboratory results.
  
• Maintain laboratory quality assurance and quality control systems to ensure analytical accuracy and data integrity.
  
• Oversee sample preparation, handling, storage, and chain-of-custody procedures.
  
• Monitor laboratory testing programs related to:
  • Ore grade control
    
  • Gold recovery performance
    
  • Gravity recovery circuits
    
  • Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) operations
    
  • Cyanide strength and process chemistry
    
  • Activated carbon performance
    
  • Metallurgical accounting
    
• Ensure laboratory equipment is properly calibrated, maintained, and operating efficiently.
  
• Manage laboratory reagent inventories, consumables, and chemical storage systems.
  
• Support process optimization, metallurgical investigations, and operational troubleshooting initiatives.
  
• Coordinate laboratory support for audits, inspections, production reporting, and regulatory compliance activities.
  
• Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with all laboratory safety requirements.
  

Requirements

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Metallurgy, Chemical Engineering, Mineral Processing, or a related discipline.
  
• Professional laboratory or metallurgical certifications are considered an asset.
  
• Formal training in Fire Assay techniques and laboratory quality management is highly desirable.
  

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years' experience in laboratory operations within the mining or mineral processing industry.
  
• Demonstrated experience managing Fire Assay laboratory operations supporting gold mining activities.
  
• Experience working with Gravity and/or Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) processing plants is highly advantageous.
  
• Previous supervisory or laboratory management experience is required.
  
• Experience working in remote or camp-based mining environments is preferred.
  

Skills & Competencies

• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  
• Excellent organizational and leadership skills.
  
• Strong technical reporting and documentation capabilities.
  
• High attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
  
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
  
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet operational deadlines.
  
• Proficiency with laboratory management systems and Microsoft Office applications.
  
• Strong commitment to safety, quality, and continuous improvement.
  

Benefits