Fire Assay Technician

About Saudi Gold Refinery

Saudi Gold Refinery (SGR) is a leading company in the Saudi mining sector, specializing in refining gold and other precious metals. The company produces bullion and offers value-added precious metals services while adhering to Vision 2030 and regulatory standards from the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and international ISO and LBMA standards. SGR ensures responsibly sourced and certified bullion through rigorous quality controls and investments in its workforce and processes.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Fire Assay Technician based in Riyadh to perform detailed chemical analyses on gold dore and bullion samples. The role supports adherence to LBMA Good Delivery standards by providing precise quantification of precious metals. The technician operates in a controlled industrial setting, following strict safety practices and quality management procedures under the direction of the Laboratory Manager.

Primary Responsibilities

• Prepare production samples by crushing, splitting, and pulverizing to obtain representative test materials for fire assay.
• Conduct fire assay operations including fusion, cupellation, and parting to separate gold and silver from base metals.
• Operate Atomic Absorption Spectrometers or equivalent devices to measure gold purity accurately.
• Implement quality control by analyzing certified reference samples and duplicates in every batch to ensure precision and accuracy.
• Carry out regular calibration of balances and furnaces, reporting any mechanical malfunctions to maintenance teams.
• Handle hazardous chemicals such as lead oxide and acids safely in compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations and ventilation requirements.
• Maintain meticulous data entry of assay results into the Laboratory Information Management System to support bullion certification and inventory reconciliation processes.
• Keep organized documentation including sample logs and calibration certificates to facilitate readiness for ISO 17025 and LBMA audits.

Qualifications and Experience

• Diploma or Degree in Chemistry, Metallurgy, or Geology from an accredited university or TVTC institute.
• Minimum of three years’ practical experience with fire assay techniques in a mining, refining, or commercial laboratory setting.
• Proficiency in techniques such as cupellation, inquartation, and gravimetric analysis.
• Knowledge of ISO 17025 laboratory competence and quality management standards.
• Experience working safely with high-temperature furnaces and toxic reagents in an industrial environment.
• Ability to clearly communicate technical information in English for reporting and coordination purposes.
• Fulfillment of Saudi national employment criteria (Saudization) applicable to the technical industrial sector.

Additional Preferred Skills

• Experience in LBMA-accredited precious metals refining environments.
• Familiarity with Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) for digitized data tracking.
• Understanding of refining technologies such as Miller or Wohlwill processes as context for assay results.
• Certification related to hazardous materials handling or laboratory safety standards.

Performance Indicators

• Maintain assay precision within 0.5% deviation from reference values across all shifts.
• Zero incidents related to chemical handling or furnace operation safety during the evaluation period.
• 100% execution of scheduled quality control procedures and duplicate testing.
• Absence of major non-compliance findings during internal and external laboratory audits.
• Completion of sample analysis within daily production timelines without sacrificing accuracy.
• Accurate and error-free entry of assay data into LIMS requiring no post-validation adjustment.
• Up-to-date and accessible equipment calibration reports available for inspection at all times.

Equal Opportunity

Saudi Gold Refinery is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants. Hiring decisions will be based on skills, experience, and compatibility with the company’s Saudization goals and Vision 2030 initiatives.