Assay Lab Technician
Musselwhite Mine
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.
Build your career at Musselwhite — a proven, high-quality underground gold mine in Northwestern Ontario, joining our portfolio through the 2026 merger with Orla Mining. Operating since 1997, Musselwhite has produced more than six million ounces of gold and continues to deliver strong results. We're investing in modern, lower-emission equipment, tele-remote and autonomous technologies, and a structure that empowers our teams to make decisions faster. We're also proud of our long-standing First Nations partnerships, dating back to the 1992. Backed by the scale and growth ambitions of Equinox Gold, there's never been a better time to join our team.
Purpose:
Reporting to the Assay Lab Supervisor, the Assay Lab Technician is responsible for the safe, accurate, and timely preparation and analysis of samples from mill, mine, and exploration activities. The position performs fire assay, atomic absorption (AA), and wet chemistry analyses while maintaining laboratory quality standards and supporting continuous improvement in laboratory operations.
Responsibilities include:
- Prepare and process samples from mill, mine, exploration, and other operational sources in accordance with established procedures.
- Perform fire assay procedures and atomic absorption (AA) analysis for gold and base metals.
- Conduct wet chemistry analyses and prepare, standardize, and verify calibration standards and solutions.
- Perform routine QA/QC activities, including the analysis of blanks, duplicates, standards, and reference materials, and identify and escalate results outside established criteria.
- Accurately record analytical results and maintain sample and laboratory records in accordance with established procedures and data-quality requirements.
- Operate, monitor, and perform routine maintenance of laboratory equipment and instrumentation; identify and report equipment or process issues.
- Identify opportunities to improve laboratory safety, quality, productivity, and turnaround times, and support approved improvements.
- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe laboratory environment and comply with SOPs, safety procedures, environmental requirements, and regulatory standards.
- Participate in pre-start meetings, workplace inspections, hazard recognition, and emergency response activities.
- Report hazards, incidents, and near misses and participate in investigations and corrective actions as required.
- Wear required PPE and follow site safety requirements, including those applicable to production areas.
- Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Education and Experience:
Required:
- Minimum Grade 12 education or equivalent.
- 3 years of experience in an assay or analytical laboratory environment.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to analytical accuracy and quality.
- Solid computer skills, including Microsoft Excel.
- Strong oral, written, and listening communication skills.
- Ability to work safely and effectively both independently and as part of a team.
Preferred:
- 2 years of fire assay and Atomic Absorption (AA) experience.
- Post-secondary diploma or certificate in Analytical Chemistry, or related discipline.
- Experience in bullion analysis.
- Experience with laboratory QA/QC programs and LIMS.
- Mechanical aptitude and laboratory equipment troubleshooting experience.
- Demonstrated ability to identify and support process improvements.
Working Conditions:
- The Musselwhite gold mine in Northwestern Ontario is a fly-in, fly‑out operation. The schedule for this position will consist of 14 days on and 14 days off, 12 hours per day.
Compensation:
- The base salary range for this position is CAD$82,000 – $100,000 per year, depending on skills, experience, and qualifications.
- This role is eligible to participate in the Company’s annual short term incentive program. The target annual bonus for this position is 10% of base salary, subject to individual and company performance.
- The Company offers a Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP), including an automatic 5% employer contribution, with the option for employees to receive up to an additional 4% employer match on employee contributions.