Assay Lab Supervisor

Jerritt Canyon•Elko, NV

About The Position

The Assay Lab Supervisor oversees the day-to-day operations of a mining assay laboratory, ensuring accurate, timely, and reliable analysis of geological samples, drill core, mine production samples, and process materials. The role supervises laboratory personnel, maintains QA/QC standards, ensures compliance with health, safety, and environmental requirements, and supports mine geology, grade control, exploration, and metallurgical teams with dependable analytical results. The successful candidate combines technical knowledge of analytical laboratory procedures with team leadership, operational planning, quality management, and continuous improvement capabilities. The position is at Jerritt Canyon, which is in a phase of evaluation and planning requiring technical support for work toward a potential future restart of operations.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience in a mining assay laboratory, mineral processing laboratory, geochemical laboratory, or comparable analytical laboratory environment.
At least 2 years of supervisory or team leadership experience, preferably within a mining, mineral exploration, or metallurgical laboratory.
Demonstrated experience with mining sample preparation and analytical workflows, including crushing, pulverizing, splitting, and assay procedures.
Practical knowledge of relevant analytical techniques, such as fire assay, AAS, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, XRF, or other methods appropriate to the mine's commodities and analytical requirements.
Experience implementing laboratory QA/QC programs, reviewing certified reference materials and blanks, investigating failures, and documenting corrective actions.
Experience managing laboratory workloads, personnel, equipment, consumables, and production schedules.
Familiarity with laboratory SOPs, sample traceability, chain of custody, analytical data management, and LIMS.
Working knowledge of laboratory safety requirements, hazardous chemical handling, and environmental controls.
Experience preparing operational reports, monitoring KPIs, and coordinating with geology, metallurgy, or mine production teams.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Geochemistry, Metallurgy, Chemical Sciences, or a closely related discipline preferred.
A diploma or associate-level qualification in laboratory technology, analytical chemistry, or a related field may be considered with substantial relevant mining assay laboratory experience.
Additional training or certification in laboratory quality management, occupational health and safety, analytical instrumentation, or laboratory supervision is an asset.

Responsibilities

Supervise daily assay laboratory activities, including sample receipt, registration, preparation, drying, crushing, pulverizing, splitting, and analytical testing.
Coordinate sample workflows to meet production, grade control, exploration, and metallurgical reporting deadlines.
Monitor sample turnaround times, laboratory throughput, backlogs, and analytical capacity.
Ensure appropriate handling, storage, tracking, and disposal of samples, pulps, rejects, and laboratory materials.
Coordinate equipment availability, maintenance schedules, calibration, and troubleshooting to minimize operational downtime.
Oversee analytical procedures relevant to the operation, such as fire assay, AAS, ICP-OES/ICP-MS, XRF, and wet chemistry, as applicable.
Ensure approved SOPs are followed for sample preparation, analysis, data processing, and reporting.
Review analytical results for accuracy, completeness, plausibility, and compliance with established acceptance criteria.
Investigate analytical anomalies, failed quality control checks, contamination, sample mix-ups, and instrument performance issues.
Support the introduction, validation, and improvement of analytical methods where required.
Implement and maintain laboratory QA/QC programs, including CRMs, blanks, duplicates, check assays, and control charts.
Review QA/QC results, identify trends and out-of-control conditions, and initiate corrective and preventive actions.
Maintain sample traceability, chain-of-custody records, laboratory documentation, and analytical data integrity.
Coordinate repeat assays, umpire assays, and external laboratory checks when required.
Prepare for and support internal audits, external audits, and laboratory accreditation requirements, where applicable.
Assist with laboratory audits, accreditation activities, regulatory inspections, and customer or third-party reviews.
Supervise, coach, and develop laboratory technicians, sample preparation personnel, and assay staff.
Allocate workloads, coordinate shift coverage, manage attendance, and ensure adequate staffing levels.
Establish performance expectations and monitor employee productivity, technical competency, and adherence to procedures.
Identify training needs and ensure personnel are competent in assigned analytical methods, equipment operation, QA/QC, and safety procedures.
Foster teamwork, accountability, clear communication, and a culture of operational excellence.