Metallurgical Technician

Job Title: Metallurgical Technician
Experience Level: 1–3 Years
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado
Work Environment: Laboratory and Pilot-Scale Ore Processing Facility (dusty, industrial setting)

Job Summary
The Metallurgical Technician will support metallurgical and analytical testing programs by preparing, processing, and analyzing ore samples in a laboratory and field environment. The role requires hands-on work with crushers, pulverizers, sample splitters, and leaching equipment. The ideal candidate will have experience handling geological and metallurgical samples, working safely in a dusty and physical environment, and following detailed SOPs to ensure quality data generation. This position directly supports metallurgists, laboratory managers, and field test supervisors in metallurgical process evaluation, ore characterization, and leach optimization programs.

Key Responsibilities
Sample Preparation and Ore Handling (50%)

• Receive, log, and label incoming ore and metallurgical samples from clients, field projects, or mine sites.
• Use jaw crushers, roll crushers, and cone crushers to reduce rock specimens to specified particle sizes for analysis.
• Operate ring and puck pulverizers, ball mills, or disk mills to further homogenize samples to fine powder (e.g., -150 µm or finer).
• Perform riffle and rotary sample splitting to obtain representative sub-samples for assay, leaching, or metallurgical testing.
• Combine, bag, and inventory composite samples accurately according to test instructions or client specifications.
• Routinely lift, shovel, and handle bulk material (up to 50 lbs) for composites, agglomeration batches, or column leach charges.
• Maintain clean and calibrated equipment, including dust collection systems, crushers, and pulverizers to prevent contamination.

Testing Support (30%)

• Assist in setting up, charging, and operating bench and pilot-scale leach tests (bottle rolls, column tests, vat leaching, etc.).
• Collect liquid and solids samples during leach cycles at designated intervals for solution assay, pH, dissolved oxygen, and cyanide concentration.
• Prepare and weigh reagents (cyanide, lime, acids, etc.) for solution chemistry and cyanide destruction tests.

Laboratory Operations (10%)

• Clean and maintain work areas and ensure safe handling of hazardous materials per MSDS and safety procedures.
• Follow Quality Control/Quality Assurance (QC/QA) protocols for duplicate samples, blanks, and standards.
• Assist in data entry for sample tracking, assay reporting, or metallurgical balances.

Safety and Compliance (10%)

• Follow safety practices and wear proper PPE when working in dusty, noisy, or chemical environments.
• Comply with OSHA standards, lockout/tagout procedures, and industrial hygiene protocols.

Qualifications

• Education: Associate degree in Metallurgy, Chemistry, Geology, Mining, or related field preferred but not required. Relevant experience may substitute.
• Experience: 1–3 years working in a metallurgical, mining, or analytical laboratory environment with ore preparation responsibilities.
• Skills:
  • Proficient with crushing, pulverizing, and sample splitting equipment.
  • Strong mechanical aptitude; comfortable using hand and power tools.
  • Basic understanding of sample integrity and contamination control.
  • Ability to track data and follow written procedures accurately.
  • Willingness to work in physically demanding, dusty, and noisy environments.

Physical and Environmental Requirements

• Ability to repeatedly lift 50 lbs and perform manual labor tasks such as shoveling, lifting, and loading sample buckets.
• Frequent exposure to dust, noise, and heavy machinery in crusher and pulverizer areas.
• Ability to wear respiratory protection, safety glasses, gloves, and steel-toed boots as required.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance options.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Opportunities for overtime, bonuses, and career development in metallurgy and process engineering.

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