Drilling Supervisor
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 14, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 13, 2026.
Drilling Supervisor - Riyadh, 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 Drilling Supervisor in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to oversee surface and underground drilling operations for our exploration projects. This role ensures that all drilling activities are executed safely, efficiently, and in strict compliance with technical specifications and regulatory standards. The supervisor will manage contractor performance and internal crews to deliver high-quality geological data for resource definition.
The Drilling Supervisor will report directly to the Drilling Manager and will play a key role in optimizing drilling productivity and maintaining rigorous HSE standards. This position requires a disciplined leader who can manage complex logistical challenges and ensure operational continuity in remote mining sites.
Key Responsibilities
The Drilling Supervisor will be responsible for the following key areas of operational and technical oversight.
Operational Execution
The role directs daily drilling activities to ensure penetration rates and core recovery meet the technical specifications of the exploration plan while minimizing downtime.
HSE Compliance
This position enforces strict adherence to permit-to-work and lockout/tagout procedures and conducts regular safety inspections to mitigate operational hazards.
Quality Assurance
The supervisor verifies the accuracy of drill hole surveys and ensures proper handling and labeling of core samples to maintain data integrity for geological modeling.
Contractor Management
The role evaluates contractor performance against key metrics such as safety records and meterage achieved, and manages contractual obligations effectively.
Budget Control
This position monitors operational expenditures for fuel and consumables, ensuring that drilling activities remain within the approved annual budget.
Workforce Development
The supervisor identifies training needs for drilling crews and coordinates with HR to deliver technical upskilling programs in line with Saudization goals.
Reporting and Analysis
The role prepares detailed daily and weekly reports on drilling progress, downtime reasons, and material consumption for management review.
Logistics Coordination
This position coordinates the mobilization and demobilization of rigs and ensures timely delivery of supplies to remote drilling sites.
Technical Troubleshooting
The supervisor diagnoses and resolves mechanical and operational issues with drill rigs to prevent extended periods of non-productive time.
Regulatory Liaison
The role ensures that all drilling activities comply with Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources regulations and environmental permits.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Mining Engineering, Geology, or a related technical field is required.
- 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 is required for technical reporting, with Arabic proficiency preferred.
- Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to remote exploration sites within Saudi Arabia.
Preferred / Nice-to-have
- Experience with exploration projects that support 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.
Success Metrics
- Achieves 95% of the annual drilling meterage target within the approved budget.
- Maintains a total recordable incident frequency rate of zero across all supervised activities.
- Reduces non-productive time due to equipment failure by 10% through improved maintenance oversight.
- Ensures 100% compliance with chain-of-custody protocols for all core samples.
- Successfully trains and certifies five local Saudi drillers in advanced rig operation.
- Implements a standardized reporting format that reduces data entry errors by 15%.
- Delivers all drilling projects on schedule without compromising safety or quality standards.
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.