Assistant Driller

About Saudi Gold Refinery

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is a prominent Saudi Arabian company specializing in mining and precious metals refining, including gold and precious metals bullion production. Positioned within the Kingdom's mining value chain, SGR aligns with Vision 2030's mining objectives and follows the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM) regulations and international standards. The company produces responsibly sourced, traceable, and certified bullion conforming to LBMA Good Delivery and ISO standards, emphasizing investment in skilled personnel, processes, and controls for quality assurance.

Role Overview

SGR is recruiting an Assistant Driller based in Riyadh to support exploration drilling activities aimed at identifying potential gold deposits. The role involves operating and maintaining drilling rigs, frequently in remote and challenging environments, while upholding strict safety protocols and environmental regulations. The Assistant Driller plays a critical role in maintaining equipment functionality, ensuring precise collection of geological samples, and supporting overall drilling operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist the Driller in controlling drilling machinery, including managing drawworks, rotary tables, and mud pumps to achieve targeted drilling depths and angles.
• Conduct daily inspections, lubrication, and preventive maintenance of rig engines, hydraulics, and structural elements to minimize operation failures.
• Enforce safety procedures such as permit-to-work and lockout/tagout systems, ensuring proper use of personal protective equipment and hazard mitigation.
• Handle and securely label drill cuttings and core samples to prevent contamination and support geological analysis accuracy.
• Supervise and train roustabouts in safe material handling and basic rig operations.
• Maintain detailed logs documenting drilling progress, fuel usage, and maintenance activities for review by the Exploration Manager.
• Coordinate with camp personnel to secure adequate supply of water, fuel, and drilling mud for continuous operations at remote sites.
• Participate actively in emergency preparedness drills and incident response per site guidelines, ensuring readiness of emergency equipment.
• Monitor drilling processes to prevent environmental hazards such as spills and ensure compliance with environmental permits and regulations.
• Perform comprehensive shift handovers detailing rig conditions and ongoing tasks to guarantee operational continuity and safety awareness.

Qualifications and Preferences

• Minimum high school diploma or technical certificate relevant to mechanical or drilling fields.
• At least three years of direct experience in exploration or water well drilling operations.
• Strong mechanical skills with the ability to troubleshoot hydraulic and diesel engine systems.
• Thorough understanding of health, safety, and environmental standards and risk management in drilling activities.
• Physical ability to handle heavy loads and work under extreme weather conditions.
• Valid Saudi driving license with experience in off-road driving.
• Proficiency in both English and Arabic to facilitate effective communication within teams.
• Capability to work rotational shifts in remote, camp-based drilling environments.
• Preferred candidates will have familiarity with reverse circulation and diamond core drilling techniques, prior experience with recognized Saudi mining or drilling contractors, certifications in first aid, firefighting, and H2S awareness, and knowledge of digital logging and GPS systems.

Performance Indicators

• Maintain zero lost-time injuries and environmental incidents during employment.
• Achieve at least a 10% decrease in equipment downtime through proactive maintenance.
• Ensure 100% accuracy in sample labeling and custody documentation.
• Complete all required technical training and certifications successfully.
• Receive positive operational support feedback from the Driller.
• Effectively supervise roustabouts with zero safety violations reported.
• Submit timely and accurate daily drilling and maintenance reports.

Equal Opportunity

Saudi Gold Refinery values all qualified applicants and makes hiring choices based on competency, experience, and alignment with Saudization and Vision 2030 goals.