Assayer

Assayers test and analyse precious metals such as silver and gold to determine the value and properties of components using chemical and physical techniques. They also seperate precious metals or other components from other materials.

The following job titles also refer to assayer:

geo-science technician
silver assayer
precious metal assayer
assay laboratory technician
fire assayer
mineralogy assayer
chemical analyst
metal assayer
mining assayer
metal tester
gold assayer

Bachelor’s degree is generally required to work as assayer. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Assayer is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to assayer.

analytical chemist
water quality analyst
pharmaceutical quality specialist
chemical metallurgist
process metallurgist

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of assayer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of assayer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of assayer.

Precious metals: Types of rare metal that occur naturally and have a high economic value.
Metal and metal ore products: The offered metal and metal ore products, their functionalities, properties and legal and regulatory requirements.
Good laboratory practice: Regulatory requirements and Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) applied in the relevant manufacturing sector.
Analytical chemistry: Instruments and methods used to separate, identify and quanitfy matter – the chemical components of natural and artificial materials and solutions.
Characteristics of precious metals: Variations of precious metals according to density, corrossion resistance, electrical conductivity, light reflectivity and quality.
Chemical processes: The relevant chemical processes used in manufacture, such as purification, seperation, emulgation and dispergation processing.
Statistics: The study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments in order to forecast and plan work-related activities.
Laboratory techniques: Techniques applied in the different fields of natural science in order to obtain experimental data such as gravimetric analysis, gas chromatography, electronic or thermic methods.
Chemistry: The composition, structure, and properties of substances and the processes and transformations that they undergo; the uses of different chemicals and their interactions, production techniques, risk factors, and disposal methods.

These skills are necessary for the role of assayer.

Perform laboratory tests: Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
Handle chemicals: Safely handle industrial chemicals; use them efficiently and ensure that no harm is done to the environment.
Maintain ore processing equipment: Maintain and clean equipment; remove rubbish and spillages.
Apply safety procedures in laboratory: Make sure that laboratory equipment is used in a safe manner and the handling of samples and specimens is correct. Work to ensure the validity of results obtained in research.
Identify purpose of analysis: Identify the customer’s needs and select the appropriate analysis methods that will fit a specific purpose, such as quality assurance, process development or improvement, production, and scientific research.
Use chemical analysis equipment: Use the laboratory equipment such as Atomic Absorption equimpent, PH and conductivity meters or salt spray chambre.
Separate metals from ores: Apply various chemical and physical methods to separate minerals from their ores such as magnetic, electric or chemical methods
Test raw minerals: Take samples of mineral materials for testing purposes. Execute various chemical and physical tests on the materials.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of assayer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Physics: The natural science involving the study of matter, motion, energy, force and related notions.
Geology: Solid earth, rock types, structures and the processes by which they are altered.
Jewellery processes: Materials and processes involved in creating jewellery items like earrings, necklaces, rings, brackets, etc.
Manufacturing of jewellery: The manufacturing of different type of jewellery such as rings or necklaces out of various metal types such as silver, gold, diamond and other precious stones.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of assayer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Record test data: Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
Heat jewellery metals: Heat, melt and shape metals for jewellery making.
Report test findings: Report test results with a focus on findings and recommendations, differentiating results by levels of severity. Include relevant information from the test plan and outline the test methodologies, using metrics, tables, and visual methods to clarify where needed.
Supervise laboratory operations: Supervise the staff working in a laboratory, as well as oversee that equipment is functional and maintained, and procedures occur in compliance with regulations and legislation.
Manage chemical testing procedures: Manage the procedures to be used in chemical testing by designing them and conducting tests accordingly.
Prepare chemical samples: Prepare the specific samples such as gas, liquid or solid samples in order for them to be ready for analysis, labeling and storing samples according to specifications.
Label samples: Label raw material/ product samples for laboratory checks, according to implemented quality system.

2146 – Mining engineers, metallurgists and related professionals

 

 

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References

1. Assayer – ESCO