Minopex Laboratory Assistants
Minopex invites suitably qualified applicants to apply for its Laboratory Assistant Vacancies at Quality Laboratory Services (QLS) in Kroondal, Rustenburg. The position is suitable for applicants with experience in mining, metallurgical or analytical laboratories who have a good understanding of sample preparation and basic laboratory procedures. The closing date for applications is 14 August 2026.
If you have Grade 12 with Mathematics and Science and have worked in a laboratory environment before, this opportunity could be worth looking into. Experience with sample preparation, fire assay, wet chemistry or mineral analysis will be useful for this role.
About the Minopex Laboratory Assistant Job
The Laboratory Assistant will support the laboratory team with different analytical activities and sample preparation tasks.
The work includes preparing samples for testing, assisting with fire assay and wet chemistry procedures, handling nickel sulphate samples and making sure samples are correctly recorded and stored.
Accuracy is very important in this position. Laboratory results depend on samples being handled correctly from the moment they arrive until the testing process is completed.
The successful applicant will therefore need to follow laboratory procedures carefully, pay attention to detail and work safely at all times.
Where Is the Laboratory Assistant Position Based?
The position will be based at:
Quality Laboratory Services (QLS)
Kroondal, Rustenburg
The successful applicant will work in a laboratory environment where samples are prepared and processed for analytical testing.
What Will a Minopex Laboratory Assistant Do?
The Laboratory Assistant will have a range of daily responsibilities. These duties involve laboratory safety, sample preparation, equipment, record keeping and supporting analysts and technicians.
Health and Safety Responsibilities
Safety is an important part of working in a laboratory, especially when handling samples, equipment and chemicals.
The Laboratory Assistant will be expected to:
- Follow Quality Laboratory Services health and safety requirements.
- Comply with legal and operational safety requirements.
- Identify hazards and risks while carrying out daily duties.
- Take reasonable steps to prevent accidents and unsafe situations.
- Follow the required systems, methods, standards and procedures.
- Inspect the work area regularly.
- Maintain good housekeeping in the workplace.
- Follow Safe Work instructions when preparing and handling samples.
Applicants should understand that laboratory work requires careful attention to safety procedures.
Sample Collection and Preparation
One of the main parts of this job is preparing samples before they are tested.
The Laboratory Assistant may be responsible for:
- Collecting samples from operational areas.
- Receiving samples and making sure they are correctly identified.
- Crushing samples.
- Splitting samples.
- Milling samples.
- Weighing samples.
- Drying samples.
- Performing sieve sizing analyses.
- Preparing samples according to laboratory procedures.
- Making sure samples remain representative and are not contaminated.
- Storing samples according to the required specifications.
Correct sample preparation is important because mistakes at this stage can affect the accuracy of the final laboratory results.
Fire Assay Support
The successful applicant will also assist with fire assay sample preparation.
This may include:
- Weighing flux.
- Mixing materials.
- Preparing samples for fusion.
- Following the laboratory’s fire assay procedures.
- Supporting analysts or technicians during fire assay activities.
Previous exposure to fire assay will be an advantage, although the exact level of responsibility will depend on the laboratory procedure and the employee’s training.
Wet Chemistry Duties
The Laboratory Assistant may also assist with basic wet chemistry activities.
These duties can include:
- Preparing reagents.
- Filtration.
- Digestion.
- Titrations.
- Preparing samples for analysis.
- Following approved laboratory methods.
Applicants with previous experience in wet chemistry or basic analytical laboratory work may have an advantage.
Nickel Sulphate Sample Preparation
The position also involves assisting with the preparation and analysis of nickel sulphate samples.
The Laboratory Assistant must follow the correct laboratory procedures when handling these samples and make sure the required information is properly recorded.
Accuracy and careful record keeping are important because laboratory samples need to be tracked throughout the testing process.
Recording and Tracking Samples
Laboratory work involves a lot of information, so keeping accurate records is an important part of the job.
The Laboratory Assistant will be required to:
- Record sample preparation activities.
- Record analytical activities.
- Complete laboratory worksheets.
- Capture information on laboratory systems.
- Use LIMS where required.
- Complete sample checklists.
- Log samples on the system.
- Mark sample tags correctly.
- Label sample containers.
- Track samples throughout the testing process.
- Store samples according to the required specifications and colour codes.
Good record keeping helps the laboratory know where each sample came from, what work has been done and where the sample is stored.
Laboratory Equipment
The Laboratory Assistant will work with basic laboratory equipment and may assist with other equipment used during mineral analysis.
Equipment may include:
- Laboratory balances.
- Ovens.
- Furnaces.
- Hot plates.
- Sampling equipment.
- Other laboratory instruments.
The employee will also be expected to carry out inspections and basic first-line fault finding on sampling equipment.
Daily cleaning and maintenance are also part of the job.
This includes:
- Cleaning laboratory equipment and instruments.
- Inspecting sampling equipment.
- Cleaning and unblocking sampling equipment.
- Cleaning spillages caused by sampling equipment.
- Keeping the work area clean and organised.
Supporting Laboratory Analysts and Technicians
The Laboratory Assistant will work as part of the laboratory team and may be required to assist analysts and technicians during analytical procedures.
This means teamwork is important.
The successful applicant should be willing to support colleagues, follow instructions and complete assigned tasks within the required time.
Quality Management Requirements
The role requires an understanding of quality systems used in laboratory environments.
Knowledge of the ISO/IEC 17025 quality management standard will be important.
The employee must also follow the required quality procedures relating to:
- Equipment verification.
- Calibration.
- Certification.
- Quality checks.
- Laboratory procedures.
- Sample integrity.
- Accurate documentation.
The aim is to make sure laboratory work produces reliable results for clients and stakeholders.
Minopex Laboratory Assistant Requirements
Applicants should carefully check the requirements before applying.
Qualification Requirements
The minimum education requirement is:
- Grade 12 (Matric) with Mathematics and Science.
A relevant certificate or diploma will be an advantage.
Useful qualifications may include:
- Chemistry.
- Metallurgy.
- Laboratory Practice.
- Another relevant laboratory or scientific qualification.
Having one of these qualifications can be beneficial, especially for applicants looking to build a career in laboratory work.
Work Experience Requirements
Applicants are required to have:
- At least 2 to 3 years of experience in a mining, metallurgical or analytical laboratory.
Experience in sample preparation and basic laboratory procedures will be advantageous.
Experience or exposure to the following areas will also be beneficial:
- Fire assay.
- Wet chemistry.
- Base metal analysis.
- Mineral assays.
- Robotic laboratories.
- Laboratory sample preparation.
Applicants with practical experience handling samples and working with laboratory equipment may be better prepared for the daily duties of this position.
Laboratory Equipment Knowledge
Knowledge of laboratory equipment and systems will be an advantage.
This may include exposure to:
- ICP-OES.
- XRF.
- Leco equipment.
- Potentiometric titrators.
- Fire assay equipment.
- Other mineral assay equipment.
Applicants do not necessarily need experience with every piece of equipment listed, but knowledge of laboratory instruments and analytical processes can strengthen an application.
Important Sample Preparation Knowledge
A good Laboratory Assistant should understand the basic principles behind sample preparation.
This includes understanding:
- Sample contamination.
- Representative samples.
- Sample integrity.
- Correct sample handling.
- Accurate labelling.
- Correct storage.
- Following preparation procedures.
These details may sound small, but they can have a major effect on laboratory results.
Other Skills Minopex Is Looking For
The successful applicant should have good organisational and communication skills.
Important skills include:
- Good record keeping.
- Good documentation skills.
- Attention to detail.
- Planning and organising.
- Time management.
- Computer literacy.
- English language proficiency.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
- Ability to follow instructions and procedures.
- Ability to work safely and accurately.
Time management is particularly important because laboratory samples often need to be processed within specific time limits.
Why Attention to Detail Matters
Laboratory work requires accuracy. A sample that is incorrectly labelled, contaminated, stored incorrectly or prepared using the wrong procedure can affect the reliability of the results.
For this reason, applicants should be comfortable working carefully and checking their work.
The Laboratory Assistant must also be able to balance accuracy with productivity and make sure samples are processed within the required timeframes.
Minopex Laboratory Assistant Vacancy Closing Date
The closing date for the Minopex Laboratory Assistant position is 14 August 2026.
Applicants who meet the requirements should make sure their application is submitted before the closing date. It is also important to check that your CV clearly shows your laboratory experience, qualifications and relevant technical skills.
Minopex Laboratory Assistant Job Summary
Company: Minopex
Position: Laboratory Assistant
Location: Quality Laboratory Services (QLS), Kroondal, Rustenburg
Closing Date: 14 August 2026
Minimum Qualification: Grade 12/Matric with Mathematics and Science
Additional Qualification: Certificate or Diploma in Chemistry, Metallurgy, Laboratory Practice or related field will be advantageous
Experience: 2–3 years in a mining, metallurgical or analytical laboratory
Industry: Mining / Laboratory Services
Key Skills: Sample preparation, laboratory procedures, record keeping, computer literacy, time management and teamwork
If you have the required laboratory experience and are interested in working in a mining-related analytical environment, the Minopex Laboratory Assistant vacancy in Kroondal, Rustenburg may be an opportunity to consider. Make sure you meet the listed requirements and apply before 14 August 2026.
