Geologist

Geologist - Saudi Arabia

About Saudi Gold Refinery

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is a Saudi mining and precious-metals company specialized in the refining of gold and precious metals, bullion production, and value-added precious-metal services. Operating within the Kingdom's mining value chain, SGR is aligned to the Vision 2030 mining pillar and to the regulatory framework set by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM) and applicable Saudi and international standards. We produce responsibly sourced, traceable, and certified bullion, operate to LBMA Good Delivery and ISO-aligned quality standards, and invest in the people, processes, and controls behind every bar we produce.

Role Overview

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is seeking a Geologist in Saudi Arabia to lead exploration and resource definition activities across our growing portfolio of licenses. The role focuses on delivering high-quality geological models and resource estimates to support our upstream mining and downstream refining operations. You will manage field teams and drilling programs while ensuring compliance with Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM) regulations.

The Geologist will report directly to the Site Leader and will play a key role in expanding SGR's resource base within the Arabian Shield. This position requires a technical expert who can operate independently in remote environments and drive exploration success through rigorous data analysis and strategic planning.

Key Responsibilities

The Geologist will be responsible for the following key areas of exploration and resource management.

Exploration Program Execution

The role designs and manages annual exploration budgets and drilling campaigns to identify and define new mineral resources. This includes supervising field teams and ensuring all activities adhere to safety and environmental standards.

Resource Modeling and Estimation

This position constructs and validates 3D geological models using industry-standard software to support mine planning. The Geologist prepares mineral resource estimates in compliance with JORC or NI 43-101 standards.

Data Quality Management

The role implements strict chain-of-custody protocols for all geological samples from collection to assay. It involves monitoring laboratory performance and maintaining a validated geological database for accurate reporting.

Regulatory Compliance

The Geologist prepares and submits technical reports to the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM) as required. This ensures all exploration activities meet Saudi regulatory and environmental compliance standards.

Contractor and Stakeholder Management

This position manages third-party drilling contractors and service providers to ensure deliverable quality and cost control. The Geologist also engages with local communities to facilitate safe site access and operations.

Target Generation and Analysis

The role interprets geological, geochemical, and geophysical data to identify high-priority exploration targets. It involves integrating new data into existing models to refine exploration strategies and resource definitions.

Technical Leadership and Mentoring

The Geologist provides technical guidance to junior staff and field teams on logging and sampling techniques. This includes fostering a culture of technical excellence and continuous improvement within the geological team.

Budget and Resource Planning

This position monitors exploration expenditures against approved budgets and forecasts future resource needs. The Geologist ensures efficient allocation of resources to maximize exploration outcomes and value creation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Geology or Earth Sciences from an accredited institution is required.
• Proficiency in geological modeling software such as Leapfrog Geo, Datamine, or Surpac is essential.
• Demonstrated experience in managing drilling programs and core logging in remote field settings.
• Strong knowledge of mineral resource estimation and international reporting codes like JORC.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel frequently to remote exploration sites across Saudi Arabia.
• Fluency in English for technical reporting and communication with international stakeholders.
• Proven track record of managing budgets and contractor relationships in exploration projects.

Preferred / Nice-to-have

• Master's degree or PhD in Economic Geology or a related field is preferred.
• Experience with hydrothermal gold systems and epithermal deposits in the Arabian Shield.
• Professional membership in a recognized geological institute such as AusIMM or AIG.
• Prior experience interacting with Saudi regulatory bodies like the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources.
• Knowledge of GIS software such as ArcGIS or QGIS for spatial data analysis.

Success Metrics

• Completion of annual exploration drilling programs within 10% of budget and on schedule.
• Delivery of updated mineral resource estimates for key assets by the end of the fiscal year.
• Zero non-conformities in geological data quality audits and chain-of-custody procedures.
• Successful renewal or acquisition of at least three targeted exploration licenses from MIM.
• Implementation of a validated geological database with 100% data integrity checks.
• Identification and prioritization of five new high-potential exploration targets for future drilling.
• Positive performance reviews from contractor management and stakeholder engagement activities.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Saudi Gold Refinery welcomes applications from all qualified candidates. Hiring decisions are made based on role requirements, skills, experience, and alignment with Saudization and Vision 2030 priorities.