Fire Assay Technician (Fusion / Cupellation / Dore Handling) in Sohar, Oman

A leading company in the metals and mining sector in the Sultanate of Oman is seeking to hire a skilled Fire Assay Technician to join its operations in the industrial city of Sohar. This position represents a key opportunity for technical professionals with expertise in one of the most precise and complex fields of chemical analysis.

Job Description & Key Responsibilities

The technician will be placed within the Quality Control or Central Laboratory department, primarily responsible for conducting accurate analyses of ore samples, intermediate materials, and final products to determine their gold and precious metal content. Core hands-on responsibilities include:

1. Sample Preparation: Weighing, grinding, and preparing solid samples (ores, concentrates, etc.) for analysis following strict protocols.
2. Fusion Process: Mixing the prepared sample with flux materials (such as lead or borax) in a crucible and firing it in a high-temperature furnace (up to 1100°C) to fuse it and separate precious metals into a lead button.
3. Cupellation Process: Transferring the lead button containing precious metals to a porous cupel and placing it in a cupellation furnace. Here, lead is oxidized and absorbed into the cupel, leaving a small bead of gold and silver (Dore bead).
4. Dore Handling: Weighing, processing, and refining the resulting gold-silver bead (Dore bead) in preparation for final analysis stages, such as dissolving it in acids (parting) to separate gold from silver.
5. Quality Assurance: Strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and safety protocols, and participation in internal quality assurance and proficiency programs.
6. Equipment Maintenance: Assisting in the routine maintenance of fusion and cupellation furnaces and other laboratory tools.
7. Documentation: Accurately recording all data, observations, and results in laboratory logbooks or electronic systems.

Requirements & Qualifications

To qualify for this specialized technical role, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Educational Background: A diploma or certificate in Chemistry, Laboratory Sciences, Mining, or a related technical field. Candidates with a high school diploma and extensive, proven practical experience may be considered.
• Practical Experience: A minimum of 2 to 5 years of hands-on experience as a Fire Assay Technician within mining industry laboratories, gold refineries, or commercial assay labs. Direct experience operating fusion and cupellation furnaces and managing the dore handling process is essential.
• Technical Skills:
  • Complete mastery of classical Fire Assay theories and techniques.
  • Ability to work with high precision and a strong focus on detail at every stage.
  • Solid knowledge of chemical laboratory safety procedures and hazardous material handling.
  • Proficiency in using precise measuring instruments (analytical balances).
  • Basic understanding of quality assurance and process control principles.
• Personal Skills: Reliability, teamwork, ability to work under pressure, and commitment to meeting reporting deadlines.

Work Environment & Location

The technician will be based in the Sohar Industrial Port Area, one of Oman's premier industrial hubs hosting numerous steel, aluminum, chemical, and mining plants. Sohar provides a world-class industrial infrastructure. The work environment in the laboratory is expected to be dynamic, requiring focus and adherence to the highest standards of occupational safety.

How to Apply

As the company is listed as confidential, the application process is typically conducted through specialized job portals like Naukrigulf or the company's career website if advertised later. Interested candidates are advised to:

1. Update their Curriculum Vitae (CV) in English, highlighting specific practical experience in Fire Assay techniques, mentioning the types of furnaces and equipment used, and any achievements related to analytical accuracy or process improvement.
2. Search for the direct job posting on the Naukrigulf platform using keywords like "Fire Assay Technician" and "Sohar."
3. Prepare for a technical interview focusing on practical process knowledge, safety procedures, and troubleshooting scenarios encountered in the lab.

This role offers a strong career path at the heart of a vital industry in Oman and is ideal for serious technicians seeking stability and technical challenge in a world-class industrial environment.