Exploration Director

Sgr Sa; Riyadh; On-site; SAR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Saudi Gold Refinery in Riyadh seeks an Exploration Director to lead discovery and evaluation of gold resources, oversee license acquisitions, and drive upstream strategy. The role reports to the CEO and requires navigating regulatory frameworks and coordinating multi-disciplinary teams.

We expect deep expertise in mineral exploration, a proven track record in gold projects in the Middle East, and strong leadership to manage budgets, field campaigns, and stakeholder relations.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Geology or Earth Sciences is required.
• At least 20 years in mineral exploration with 5+ in leadership.
• Proven gold exploration experience in the Middle East or similar regions.
• Strong knowledge of Saudi mining laws and licensing procedures.
• Fluent in English; Arabic preferred.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the annual exploration strategy for gold assets.
• Manage license applications and renewals with MIMR.
• Oversee drilling campaigns and geological modeling for resource estimates.
• Control the exploration budget and allocate capital across projects.
• Ensure HSE compliance for all field operations.
• Engage with government entities and JV partners.
• Recruit, mentor and lead geologists and field specialists.
• Prepare technical reports for regulators and leadership.

Skills

Leadership experience

Geology expertise

Regulatory knowledge

Team management

English fluency

Willingness to travel

Education

Master's degree in Geology or Earth Sciences

Job description

About Saudi Gold Refinery

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is a Saudi mining and precious‑metal 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 an Exploration Director in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to lead the identification and acquisition of high‑quality gold resources. This role is critical to securing the long‑term feedstock supply for our refining operations and supporting the Kingdom's mining sector growth. The Director will manage all aspects of exploration from license acquisition to resource definition. The Exploration Director will report directly to the CEO and will play a key role in shaping SGR's upstream strategy. This position requires a leader who can navigate regulatory frameworks, manage technical teams, and deliver tangible resource growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Planning: The role defines and executes the annual exploration strategy to identify and secure viable gold assets.
• License Acquisition: This position manages the application and renewal process for exploration licenses with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources.
• Technical Oversight: The Director oversees drilling campaigns and geological modeling to ensure accurate resource estimation.
• Budget Management: This role controls the exploration budget, ensuring efficient allocation of capital across projects.
• HSE Compliance: The position enforces strict health, safety, and environmental standards for all field operations.
• Stakeholder Engagement: The Director builds relationships with government entities, local communities, and joint venture partners.
• Team Leadership: This role recruits, mentors, and manages a team of geologists and field specialists.
• Reporting: The position prepares and submits technical reports to regulatory bodies and internal leadership.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Geology or Earth Sciences is required.
• At least 20 years of experience in mineral exploration with 5 years in leadership.
• Proven success in gold exploration within the Middle East or similar regions.
• In‑depth knowledge of Saudi mining laws and MIM licensing procedures.
• Strong technical skills in geological modeling and resource estimation.
• Experience managing large exploration budgets and contractor teams.
• Fluency in English is required, and Arabic is highly preferred.
• Willingness to travel frequently to remote field locations.

Preferred / Nice‑to‑have

• PhD in Economic Geology or a related field.
• Experience with refractory gold ore processing characteristics.
• Established professional network in the Saudi mining sector.
• Prior experience with publicly listed mining companies.

Success Metrics

• Number of new exploration licenses secured annually.
• Volume of inferred and indicated resources added to the portfolio.
• Adherence to the approved exploration budget.
• Zero lost‑time incidents in field operations.
• Timely submission of all regulatory reports.
• Successful completion of drill programs on schedule.
• Retention and development of key technical staff.

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.