Now we're talking... remember people, some games are so rare you can't count on someone else remembering them. They can only be found using databases, and for this we need categorization - that's why I required
more details!
Using this filter:
http://www.mobygames.com/browse/game.../strategy/x,15
...I found this game:
http://www.mobygames.com/game/alchemist___
..which sounds exactly like your description:
http://theodor.lauppert.ws/games/alchmist.htm