Assay Lab Supervisor - Internal Candidates Only

Located approximately 26 miles from the City of Fairbanks, Fort Knox is a centre of excellence for the Company as one of the few cold weather heap leach facilities in the world. Fort Knox celebrated its 25-year anniversary in 2021, and has produced over 8.5 million ounces since it began operation. In 2020, Kinross acquired Manh Choh – a project expected to commence production in 2024 and process ore at Fort Knox.

Fort Knox prioritizes being a strong contributor to the State and local communities, and since 2001, has helped support more than 300 community partners and has contributed more than US$25 million to the Alaska Mental Health Trust.

Job Summary

Responsible for the safe and efficient day-to-day operations of the Analytical Lab. Follow established policies, practices, and procedures when providing complex technical support and work direction to the assay lab team. Counsel lab employees in the performance of their tasks, and develop employees to perform all the duties essential to a lab operation.

Essential Functions

• Direct and supervise lab activities including defining and delegating work assignments to ensure it operates safely, productively and efficiently to meet laboratory goals.
• Ensures that prescribed protocols for sample prep., fire assay and solution analyses are followed
• Oversee daily production of analytical results to the mine and mill departments. Report analytical results to the designated departments in a timely and professional manner.
• Provide thorough orientation, training and follow up to new lab employees, while ensuring skills are maintained and upgraded as needed to all lab employees. Address questions and resolve issues while ensuring standards are met.
• Perform and supervise the preparation of standardized solutions for calibration purposes, participate in daily production assays and analyze assay results. Report and follow up on discrepancies.
• Comply with established methodologies and quality standards related to the assay lab while at the same time; review, adapt and develop analytical procedures in order to remain current with changing technology and industry practice.
• Maintain accurate reports of analytical determinations performed and results obtained
• Ensure warehouse stock is available and requisition materials, supplies, and equipment for routine and project activities as needed.
• Prepare capital expenditure requests for high value items.
• Ensure that all lab equipment is maintained in good condition and initiate work orders as required.
• Ensure and maintain, by example, a clean and orderly work environment.
• Present weekly laboratory safety meetings.
• Escalate, as appropriate, issues requiring knowledge about the broader business impact of decisions.
• Prepare communication materials, manuals, and other written materials related to the lab.
• Maintain Safe Day Card records and follow through with any items needing to be addressed.
• Perform monthly Planned Inspections and follow through on any issues that need to be addressed.
• Adhere to all safety and environmental considerations. Wear personal protective equipment at all times while in the production environment. Be alert and observe, report and correct unsafe conditions.
• Perform administrative duties such as time entry, report generation and crew scheduling including leave time.
• Record and maintain overtime, vacation, and PLP records.
• Responsible for producing Laboratory Monthly Report.
• Work with supervisor to develop policies and procedures as necessary.
• Responsible for documenting work performance, conducting performance evaluations, recommending promotions and carrying out corrective actions as needed.
• Report, investigate, analyze and supervise the documentation of accidents, injuries and equipment damage, and recommend prevention strategies as necessary
• Punctuality and regular attendance is required.
• Meet or exceed established performance expectations set by management.
• Compliance with all company policies and procedures including but not limited to safety, confidentiality, and environmental policies.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license issued by the state.
• Work safely in all areas and identify potential safety hazards and work with management to correct them.
• Work without significant risk of harm to self and others.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications and Skill Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.  Employee must have sufficient education to read and write instructions, perform simple mathematical calculations, and keep records.
• Two years supervisory experience is preferred.
• Basic knowledge of the chemistry of fire assay.
• Good working knowledge and skills with a P.C. utilizing word processing and spreadsheet programs including Excel and LIMS is required.
• Proficient in all aspects of fire assay and bullion analyses.
• Knowledge of Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and Perkin Elmer A Analyst 300.
• Understanding of Pertorp WAD cyanide analyzer.
• Strong verbal, written, analytical and persuasive skills and the ability to interact effectively with all levels of employees and management.
• Able to prepare, check and maintain working solution standards.
• Ability to troubleshoot crushers, pulverizers, fusion furnaces, cupellation furnaces, hot plates, micro balance, Atomix Absorption Spectrometer, and Perstorp WAD cyanide analyzer.
• Work ethic that demonstrates by example, how to achieve production goals.
• Must have solid verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be a self-starter with the ability to work with others in a team environment.
• Ability to function within the qualifications outlined in the attached physical demands sheets.
• Must be available for shift work, overtime, holidays, and weekends.
• Progression through wage scale is contingent upon satisfactory completion of attached checklists.

Health, Safety and Environmental Requirements

• Adheres to all safety and environmental considerations.
• Have a strong commitment to safe working practices.
• Wears Personal Protective Equipment at all times while in the production environment.
• Is alert and observes, corrects, and reports unsafe conditions.
• Follows operating procedures and complies with all regulatory requirements. 

Kinross is a Canadian-based global senior gold mining company with operations and projects in the United States, Brazil, Mauritania, Chile, and Canada. Our focus on delivering value is based on our core principles of responsible mining, operational excellence, disciplined growth and balance sheet strength. Kinross maintains listings on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol:K) and the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:KGC).