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Chief Assayer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Chief Metallurgist Job Summary: As we continue to grow, we are seeking a Chief ... Oversee assay laboratory and metallurgical laboratory operations to ensure accuracy, precision, and ...

Position Summary: The Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) reports to the EVP, Head of Research ... assay development, nonclinical pharmacology and toxicology, biomarker sciences, medical genetics ...

Position Summary: The Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) reports to the EVP, Head of Research ... assay development, nonclinical pharmacology and toxicology, biomarker sciences, medical genetics ...

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Chief Assayer information

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$33K

$124.4K

$200.5K

How much do chief assayer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for chief assayer in the United States is $124,409.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $93,000.00 and $146,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a chief assayer?

Chief Assayers are senior professionals responsible for overseeing the process of analyzing and testing ores, metals, and minerals to determine their composition and value. They lead a team of assayers in laboratories, ensuring the accuracy and quality of test results. Chief Assayers also develop and enforce quality control procedures, manage laboratory operations, and may provide technical advice to mining or metallurgical companies. Their work ensures that materials are properly evaluated for commercial use and regulatory compliance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a chief assayer?

To thrive as a Chief Assayer, you need a solid background in chemistry, metallurgy, and analytical techniques, usually supported by a relevant science degree and extensive laboratory experience. Familiarity with advanced instrumentation such as atomic absorption spectrometers, ICP-OES, and proficiency with quality management systems like ISO 17025 are essential. Strong leadership, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for managing teams and ensuring accurate reporting. These skills ensure the integrity and reliability of assay results, which are critical for operational decisions in mining and metals industries.

What are some of the primary challenges faced by a chief assayer when overseeing a laboratory team?

A Chief Assayer often faces the challenge of maintaining consistent quality and accuracy in assay results while managing a diverse laboratory team. Balancing the demands of production schedules with strict regulatory and safety standards is a key concern. Additionally, Chief Assayers are responsible for mentoring junior staff, troubleshooting technical issues, and implementing process improvements, all of which require strong leadership and adaptability. Effective communication with geologists, metallurgists, and management is essential to ensure that all assay data supports the broader goals of mining or metallurgical operations.

What is the difference between Chief Assayer vs Assayer?

AspectChief AssayerAssayer
CredentialsTypically requires certification in assaying and management experienceRequires certification in assaying, often with less managerial training
Work EnvironmentOversees laboratory operations, manages staff, and ensures quality controlPerforms chemical analysis of ores and metals in laboratory settings
Industry UsageUsed in mining, refining, and precious metals industries for leadership rolesCommonly employed in laboratories for sample analysis and testing

The main difference between a Chief Assayer and an Assayer lies in their responsibilities and seniority. The Chief Assayer manages laboratory operations and oversees staff, while the Assayer focuses on conducting chemical analyses. Both roles require certification in assaying, but the Chief Assayer typically has additional management credentials and experience.

More about Chief Assayer jobs

What states have the most Chief Assayer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Chief Assayer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Chief Assayer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $124,409 per year, or $59.8 per hour.

Chief Metallurgist

Orla Mining Ltd

Elko, NV โ€ข On-site

Full-time

This job post hasย expired 1 day ago.ย Applications are no longer accepted.


Job description

Are you looking to make your mark and grow your career with a company on the rise? We'd love to have you on our team!


Equinox Gold is a growth-focused gold producer headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, operating a diversified portfolio of high-quality, long-life mines across the Canada, United States, Mexico and Nicaragua. Guided by our core values of
integrity, excellence, accountability, and teamwork, we foster a safe, inclusive, and rewarding workplace where a talented, experienced team works together to deliver reliable operations, responsible mining, and long-term value to its shareholders and host communities.


Get in at the ground floor with our South Railroad Project, a construction-ready, open-pit heap leach project located on the world-class Carlin Trend in Nevada, one of the most prolific gold-producing regions on the planet. The project is backed by a completed feasibility study outlining an average of 130,000 ounces of gold per year over the first five years and an initial 10-year mine life. Join us at this pivotal stage and help bring Nevada's next gold mine to life.


Job Title: Chief Metallurgist


Job Summary:

As we continue to grow, we are seeking a Chief Metallurgist to join our team. The purpose of this role is to lead, develop, and optimize the metallurgical aspects of our gold recovery processes to ensure the operation delivers safe, efficient, and cost-effective production.


Key Responsibilities:

  • Collaborate with senior management in the development and execution of site-wide metallurgical strategies that maximize gold recovery and align with business objectives.
  • Lead metallurgical input into feasibility studies, detailed engineering, commissioning, and operational ramp-up to reach steady state operations.
  • Provide expert guidance on process design, flowsheet optimization, and technology implementation.
  • Serve as technical advisor on comminution, heap leach, gold recovery, and refinery performance.
  • Monitor KPIs including recovery, grade reconciliation, leach kinetics, reagent consumption, and refinery performance.
  • Implement metallurgical accounting and reconciliation systems.
  • Lead continuous improvement initiatives to maximize throughput, recovery, plant availability, and reagent efficiency.
  • Conduct metallurgical balancing, performance modeling, troubleshooting, and root cause analysis to ensure stable operation and predictable production.
  • Validate and optimize crushing, stacking, leaching, adsorption, elution, electrowinning, and refining circuits.
  • Validate and optimize crushing, stacking, leaching, adsorption, electrowinning, and refining circuits.
  • Ensure all metallurgical deliverables are completed safely, on time, and within budget.
  • Oversee assay laboratory and metallurgical laboratory operations to ensure accuracy, precision, and data integrity.
  • Implement robust QA/AC systems and best practices in the lab.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop metallurgical engineers, laboratory staff, and technical personnel to build a high-performance, safety-focused team.
  • Support regulatory compliance, environmental performance, and sustainability initiatives.
  • Collaborate with vendors, consultants, and technology providers.


Required Experience & Skills:

  • A minimum of 10 years of extractive metallurgy and mineral processing experience required.
  • Five or more years of assay and metallurgical laboratory management experience required.
  • Experience in heap leach operations, cyanide-based recovery systems, gold and silver recovery circuits and mine-to-mill integration preferred.
  • Metallurgical accounting and reconciliation expertise preferred.
  • Must be authorized to work in the U.S. for any employer.
  • Must possess a valid driver's license.


Education:

  • Bachelor's degree in metallurgical engineering, chemical engineering or similar field required.


At Equinox Gold, our commitment to teamwork means building a workforce that is as diverse as the communities in which we operate. We are committed to an accessible and inclusive recruitment process and welcome applications from all qualified candidates.