Plant Chemist - 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 Plant Chemist in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to execute precise chemical analysis of dore bars, process solutions, and bullion products. This role ensures all laboratory outputs meet LBMA Good Delivery standards and internal quality specifications for gold refining operations. The incumbent will operate advanced analytical instrumentation and maintain strict adherence to ISO 17025 and safety protocols.

The Plant Chemist will report directly to the Plant Superintendent and will play a key role in validating refining yields and product purity. This position requires a methodical approach to data accuracy, chemical safety, and process support within a 24/7 industrial environment.

Key Responsibilities

The Plant Chemist will be responsible for the following key areas of work.

Assay Analysis Execution

The role performs fire assay, cupellation, and instrumental analysis on incoming dore and process samples to determine precious metal content accurately.

Instrument Operation Maintenance

This position operates and maintains ICP-OES, AAS, and XRF equipment, ensuring regular calibration and minimal downtime for production support.

Quality Control Compliance

The Plant Chemist generates certified assay certificates and maintains LIMS records to ensure full traceability and compliance with LBMA and SASO standards.

Chemical Safety Management

The role manages the safe handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous chemicals and laboratory waste in accordance with environmental permits and HSE policies.

Process Data Support

This position provides timely analytical data to refining operators to optimize acid usage and maximize metal recovery rates during processing.

Inventory Reconciliation

The Plant Chemist reconciles laboratory sample weights with vault records to maintain an unbroken chain of custody for all precious metal flows.

Audit Readiness Assurance

The role maintains all laboratory documentation and calibration logs to ensure readiness for internal and external audits including ISO 17025 assessments.

Shift Operational Coverage

This position works rotating shifts to provide continuous laboratory support for plant operations, responding to urgent sampling needs as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Metallurgy, or a related scientific field.
• Minimum three years of experience in an industrial laboratory, preferably in mining or precious metals refining.
• Proficiency in fire assay, cupellation, and wet chemical analysis techniques.
• Hands-on experience with ICP-OES, AAS, or XRF instrumentation operation and maintenance.
• Understanding of ISO 17025 laboratory quality management systems.
• Knowledge of hazardous chemical handling and environmental waste disposal regulations.
• Ability to work rotating shifts in an industrial plant environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS).

Preferred / Nice-to-have

• Experience with LBMA Good Delivery and Responsible Gold Guidance standards.
• Prior work in a gold refinery or precious metals processing facility.
• Training in process safety management or HAZOP methodologies.
• Familiarity with SASO standards for precious metal certification.

Success Metrics

• 98% accuracy rate in assay results validated against external reference labs.
• 100% compliance with ISO 17025 calibration and documentation schedules.
• 15% reduction in laboratory turnaround time for critical process samples.
• Zero recordable safety incidents or environmental violations in the laboratory.
• No major non-conformities during LBMA or SASO external audits.
• Complete reconciliation of laboratory sample weights with vault inventory records.
• Timely delivery of assay certificates to support bullion shipment schedules.

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.