Drilling Supervisor📣 Job Ad

About Saudi Gold Refinery Co.

Saudi Gold Refinery Co. (SGR) is a Saudi mining and precious-metals company specializing in the refining of gold and precious metals, bullion production, and value-added services. Operating within the Kingdom’s mining value chain, SGR aligns with the Vision 2030 mining pillar and adheres to the regulatory framework set by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM), along with applicable Saudi and international standards. The company produces responsibly sourced, traceable, and certified bullion, operating to LBMA Good Delivery and ISO-aligned quality standards.

The Drilling Supervisor Role

Saudi Gold Refinery Co. is seeking a Drilling Supervisor for a full-time position in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This role involves overseeing surface and underground drilling operations for the company's exploration projects. The supervisor will ensure all drilling activities are executed safely, efficiently, and in strict compliance with technical specifications and regulatory standards, managing contractor performance and internal crews to deliver high-quality geological data for resource definition. The Drilling Supervisor reports directly to the Drilling Manager and is crucial for optimizing drilling productivity and maintaining rigorous HSE standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct daily drilling activities to meet penetration rates and core recovery technical specifications while minimizing downtime.
• Enforce strict adherence to permit-to-work and lockout/tagout procedures, conducting regular safety inspections to mitigate operational hazards.
• Verify the accuracy of drill hole surveys and ensure proper handling and labeling of core samples for geological modeling data integrity.
• Evaluate contractor performance against key metrics such as safety records and meterage achieved, managing contractual obligations effectively.
• Monitor operational expenditures for fuel and consumables, ensuring drilling activities remain within the approved annual budget.
• Identify training needs for drilling crews and coordinate with HR to deliver technical upskilling programs in line with Saudization goals.
• Prepare detailed daily and weekly reports on drilling progress, downtime reasons, and material consumption for management review.
• Coordinate the mobilization and demobilization of rigs and ensure timely delivery of supplies to remote drilling sites.
• Diagnose and resolve mechanical and operational issues with drill rigs to prevent extended periods of non-productive time.
• Ensure all drilling activities comply with Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources regulations and environmental permits.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Mining Engineering, Geology, or a related technical field.
• Minimum of seven years of experience in drilling operations, with at least three years in a supervisory capacity.
• Proven expertise in managing reverse circulation and diamond drilling programs in hard rock environments.
• Strong understanding of HSE management systems and risk assessment methodologies.
• Demonstrated ability to manage contractor performance and control operational budgets.
• Proficiency in interpreting geological plans and adjusting drilling techniques accordingly.
• Fluency in English for technical reporting.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel to remote exploration sites within Saudi Arabia.

Preferred Skills and Attributes

• Experience with exploration projects supporting downstream refining or resource estimation.
• Familiarity with Saudi mining laws and Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources requirements.
• Experience implementing digital drilling data capture systems.
• Certification in well control or advanced drilling troubleshooting.
• Track record of successful Saudization and local workforce development initiatives.

Performance Expectations and Company Commitment

The successful candidate will be expected to achieve key performance indicators, including reaching 95% of the annual drilling meterage target within budget, maintaining a zero total recordable incident frequency rate, and reducing non-productive time due to equipment failure by 10%. Ensuring 100% compliance with chain-of-custody protocols for core samples, successfully training and certifying local Saudi drillers, and delivering all drilling projects on schedule without compromising safety or quality standards are also critical. Saudi Gold Refinery Co. welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, with hiring decisions based on role requirements, skills, experience, and alignment with Saudization and Vision 2030 priorities.