黑料社区

Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh looks to bolster global links

Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh looks to bolster global links
Future Minerals Forum to be held next week in Riyadh will feature an unprecedented representation of 85 miming ministers. (Forum鈥檚 banner)
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Updated 13 January 2025

Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh looks to bolster global links

Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh looks to bolster global links
  • Mining leaders from 85 countries gather next week to discuss challenges, outlook
  • The event is being organized by 黑料社区鈥檚 Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources under the patronage of King Salman

RIYADH: Leading mining representatives from more than 85 countries will meet in Riyadh next week as the Future Minerals Forum discusses challenges and developments in the global mineral industries.
Key stakeholders, including governments, international organizations, business federations, investors, and sector leaders, will take part in the forum from Jan. 14-16 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.
The event is being organized by 黑料社区鈥檚 Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources under the patronage of King Salman.
According to the ministry, the fourth annual international ministerial meeting of mining ministers, due to take place on Jan. 14 as part of the forum, will feature its largest-ever number of government representatives and topics to be discussed.
Among the 85 countries represented will be 16 nations from the G20. At least 50 ministers and 13 deputy ministers are taking part, the ministry said.
The ministry said that over 50 official and nongovernmental organizations, along with trade unions and leading figures in the global mining industry, will attend the event, reflecting the significance of the gathering as a global platform to discuss mining and mineral industry affairs, ways to meet the growing demand for strategic and critical minerals, and new opportunities for development in mineral-producing and processing countries.
The meeting will focus on several issues, including progress made during the previous year concerning the three ministerial meeting initiatives, which include developing a strategic framework for critical minerals increasing value-added processing in mineral-producing countries, producing green minerals using modern technologies and renewable energy, and ensuring sustainability and transparency in supply chains.
Discussions will also focus on the establishment of centers of excellence in major mining regions to enable investment, build capabilities, and develop human resources.
Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef will chair the meeting and deliver the opening address, highlighting 黑料社区鈥檚 commitment to sustainable mineral development and emphasizing its leadership role in advancing the sector鈥檚 future.
He will also discuss opportunities for global cooperation to face challenges and invest in the vast potential offered by the mineral sector.
Among the ministers attending the meeting are Italian Minister for the Environment and Energy Security Gilberto Pichetto Fratin; UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade Jonathan Reynolds; Brazilian Minister of Mines and Energy Alexandre Silveira; Indian Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy; South African Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition Parks Tau; Democratic Republic of Congo Minister of Mines Kizito Pakabomba; Egyptian Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi; Nigerian Minister of Solid Minerals Development Henry Dele Alake; and Moroccan Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali.
Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer said that the meeting represents an important step toward achieving sustainable development in the global mining and minerals sector.
He said that the international ministerial meeting provides an ideal platform for finding solutions and developing legislation on best practices in sustainable mining, exploring ways to invest in mining projects to achieve economic and social development in producing countries.

In December a report was released by the FMF stating that global mining operations will need $5.4 trillion in capital investment by 2035 if the sector is going to meet growing demand.

The聽release revealed that this investment represents an increase of $500 billion compared to the previous decade.

Coal, iron ore, copper, and gold, which account for over 90 percent of the mass moved in global mining operations, were central to the report鈥檚 investigations.

It found that these commodities will demand more than 70 percent of total capital investment, with nearly 75 percent allocated to maintaining existing assets.

The steel value chain alone will require an estimated $1.6 trillion in sustaining capital expenditure, underlining its central role in meeting infrastructure and industrial needs.

Regions such as Asia Pacific, India, Latin America, and Sub-Saharan Africa will require over 40 percent of total capital investment, signaling a shift in capital flows toward emerging markets.

Additionally, the report projects that by 2040, the production of cathode materials, battery cells, and battery recycling could generate around $800 billion in annual revenue.


Oil Updates 鈥 prices steady as market awaits inventory data, US-Russia meeting

Oil Updates 鈥 prices steady as market awaits inventory data, US-Russia meeting
Updated 12 sec ago

Oil Updates 鈥 prices steady as market awaits inventory data, US-Russia meeting

Oil Updates 鈥 prices steady as market awaits inventory data, US-Russia meeting

SINGAPORE: Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday as investors awaited US inventory data, while eyeing an upcoming meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Brent crude futures dipped 3 cents, or 0.05 percent, to $66.09 a barrel at 9:11 a.m. Saudi time, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures edged down 8 cents, or 0.13 percent, at $63.09. Both contracts settled lower on Tuesday.

Trump and Putin are due to meet in Alaska on Friday to discuss ending Russia鈥檚 war in Ukraine that has shaken oil markets since February 2022.

Oil investors are in a 鈥渨ait-and-see mode鈥 ahead of the meeting, said ING commodity strategists.

鈥淭he outcome could remove some of the sanction risk hanging over the market,鈥 the ING strategists added.

Investors also awaited further cues after an industry report showed US crude stockpiles climbed last week.

Crude inventories in the United States, the world鈥檚 biggest oil consumer, rose by 1.52 million barrels last week, market sources said, citing American Petroleum Institute figures on Tuesday. Gasoline inventories dropped while distillate inventories gained slightly.

Should the US Energy Information Administration data later on Wednesday also show a decline, it could indicate that consumption during the summer driving season has peaked and refiners are easing back their runs. The driving season typically runs from the Memorial Day holiday at the end of May to the Labor Day holiday in early September.

Analysts polled by Reuters expect the EIA report to show crude inventories fell by about 300,000 barrels last week. Outlooks issued by OPEC and the EIA on Tuesday pointed to increased production this year, which also weighed on prices. But both expect output in the US, the world鈥檚 largest producer, to decline in 2026, while other regions will increase oil and natural gas production.

US crude production will hit a record 13.41 million barrels per day in 2025 due to increases in well productivity, though lower oil prices will prompt output to fall in 2026, the EIA forecast in a monthly report.

The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries鈥 monthly report said global oil demand will rise by 1.38 million bpd in 2026, up 100,000 bpd from the previous forecast. Its 2025 projection was left unchanged.

The White House on Tuesday tempered the expectations for a quick Russia-Ukraine ceasefire deal, which may lead investors to reconsider an end to the war soon and any easing of sanctions on Russian supply, which had been supporting prices.

鈥淭rump downplayed expectations of his meeting with President Putin ... However, expectations of additional sanctions on Russian crude continue to fall,鈥 ANZ senior commodity strategist Daniel Hynes wrote in a note. 


Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 10,770

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 10,770
Updated 12 August 2025

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 10,770

Closing Bell: Saudi main index closes in red at 10,770
  • Parallel market Nomu lost 91.69 points to close at 26,144.11
  • MSCI Tadawul Index edged down 0.26% to 1,391.13

RIYADH: 黑料社区鈥檚 Tadawul All Share Index slipped on Tuesday, shedding 21.98 points, or 0.20 percent, to close at 10,769.66. 

The total trading turnover on the main index reached SR4.08 billion ($1.09 billion), with 94 stocks advancing and 159 declining. 

The Kingdom鈥檚 parallel market Nomu also fell, losing 91.69 points to close at 26,144.11, while the MSCI Tadawul Index edged down 0.26 percent to 1,391.13. 

The best-performing stock on the main market was Red Sea International Co., whose share price jumped 9.96 percent to SR45.72. BAAN Holding Group Co. rose 4.98 percent to SR2.32, while Astra Industrial Group gained 4.71 percent to SR149. 

The share price of Methanol Chemicals Co. dropped by 9.92 percent to SR10.62. 

On the announcements front, Saudi Electricity Co. reported a net profit attributable to common shares of SR1.86 billion after deducting profit attributable to Mudaraba instruments for the second quarter, up 113 percent from SR0.87 billion a year earlier. 

The company鈥檚 net profit before Mudaraba payments stood at SR6.25 billion, compared to SR5.24 billion in the same quarter of 2024, reflecting a 19.26 percent increase. 

The utility鈥檚 share price slipped 0.61 percent to SR14.61. 

First Milling Co. announced it had completed the acquisition of a 100 percent stake in Jeddah-based Al Manar Feed Co. in a deal valued at SR77 million. In a Tadawul filing, the company said the acquisition aligns with its strategy to boost feed production capacity. 

With the purchase, First Milling Co. will add a daily production capacity of 450 tonnes in the feed segment, bringing its total feed output to 1,350 tonnes per day. 

The company鈥檚 share price rose 0.28 percent to SR53.20. 


OPEC projects global oil demand to rise by 1.38m bpd in 2026

OPEC projects global oil demand to rise by 1.38m bpd in 2026
Updated 12 August 2025

OPEC projects global oil demand to rise by 1.38m bpd in 2026

OPEC projects global oil demand to rise by 1.38m bpd in 2026
  • Supply growth from producers outside OPEC+ is trimmed, signaling a tighter market outlook

LONDON: OPEC on Tuesday raised its forecast for global oil demand next year and trimmed its forecast for growth in supply from the US and other producers outside the wider OPEC+ group, pointing to a tighter market outlook.

The outlook for higher demand and a drop in supply growth from outside OPEC+ would make it easier for OPEC+ to proceed with its plan to pump more barrels to regain market share after years of cuts aimed at supporting the market.

World oil demand will rise by 1.38 million barrels per day in 2026, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries said in a monthly report, up 100,000 bpd from the previous forecast. This year鈥檚 expectation was left unchanged.

In the report, OPEC also increased its forecast for world economic growth slightly this year to 3 percent as President Donald Trump鈥檚 administration signs some trade deals and the economies of India, China and Brazil outperform expectations.

鈥淓conomic data at the start of the second half of 2025 further confirm the resilience of global growth, despite persistent uncertainties related to US-centered trade tensions and broader geopolitical risks,鈥 OPEC said in the report.

Oil supply from countries outside the Declaration of Cooperation 鈥 the formal name for OPEC+ 鈥 will rise by about 630,000 bpd in 2026, OPEC said, down from last month鈥檚 forecast of 730,000 bpd.

OPEC's report said it now expects US output of tight oil, another term for shale, to decline by 100,000 bpd in 2026, versus last month鈥檚 outlook for flat output year on year.

鈥淭he 2026 forecast assumes sustained capital discipline, additional drilling and completion efficiency gains, weaker momentum in drilling activities and increased associated gas production in key shale oil regions,鈥 OPEC said.

OPEC鈥檚 report also showed that in July, OPEC+ raised crude output by 335,000 bpd, a further increase reflecting its decisions this year to increase output quotas.


Cost excellence key to unlock potential of 黑料社区鈥檚 mining sector: Alvarez and Marsal

Cost excellence key to unlock potential of 黑料社区鈥檚 mining sector: Alvarez and Marsal
Updated 12 August 2025

Cost excellence key to unlock potential of 黑料社区鈥檚 mining sector: Alvarez and Marsal

Cost excellence key to unlock potential of 黑料社区鈥檚 mining sector: Alvarez and Marsal
  • Kingdom鈥檚 mining and minerals industry is poised for sustainable long-term growth
  • It has already laid strong foundations in the sector

RIYADH: Mining firms operating in 黑料社区 should implement disciplined financial planning, transparency, and cost ownership in their operating model to reap long-term benefits, according to an analysis. 

In its latest report, professional services firm Alvarez and Marsal said the Kingdom鈥檚 mining and minerals industry is poised for sustainable long-term growth with committed investments worth SR246 billion ($65.55 billion) supporting the sector. 

The study was released just days after the Kingdom鈥檚 ranking on the Mining Investment Attractiveness Index jumped from 104th in 2013 to 23rd in 2024, cementing the nation鈥檚 status as the world鈥檚 fastest-rising power in the exploration industry, according to Canadian public policy think tank Fraser Institute.

As a part of its economic diversification efforts, 黑料社区 is accelerating the development of its mining sector, with the Kingdom鈥檚 mineral wealth now estimated at SR9.4 trillion ($2.5 trillion).

Commenting on the latest report, Alexander Shvets, managing director, infrastructure and capital projects 鈥 metals and mining at Alvarez and Marsal Middle East, said: 鈥満诹仙缜檚 mining sector is now central to the Kingdom鈥檚 economic transformation.鈥 

He added: 鈥淏uilding on this momentum with embedded cost visibility and performance tracking will help operators to achieve global competitiveness and long-term value creation.鈥 

According to Alvarez and Marsal, adopting structured financial frameworks can help mining companies seize emerging opportunities and ensure operational excellence as the sector matures. 

鈥淐ontrol is not just a finance function 鈥 it鈥檚 an operational discipline. In mining, where complexity and capital intensity are high, real-time cost visibility and team capability are what turn strategy into measurable results,鈥 said Renat Akimbitov, managing director, infrastructure and capital projects 鈥 metals and mining at Alvarez and Marsal Middle East. 

The report said 黑料社区 has already laid strong foundations in the sector, with the establishment of institutions such as the Saudi Geological Survey, creating a dynamic and investor-friendly environment.

In March, the Kingdom also launched a new incentive package to attract foreign direct investments into the nation鈥檚 mining sector. 

At that time, the Saudi Press Agency reported that the Kingdom鈥檚 Ministry of Investment is collaborating closely with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources through an exploration enablement program aimed at simplifying investments in the mineral exploration industry. 

Alvarez and Marsal outlined a strategy for mining and industrial companies to strengthen financial resilience by implementing activity-based budgeting, which links finance directly to operational drivers for greater accuracy and agility.

The report also underscored the vitality of empowering business leaders with digital dashboards to manage costs dynamically, as well as conducting structured cost review meetings to ensure accountability through regular performance tracking. 

Alvarez and Marsal further highlighted the importance of cost-capability building and said that equipping teams with practical tools and training is essential to foster a cost-conscious culture within the organization. 


黑料社区鈥檚 mining sector jumps to 23rd globally in Fraser Institute index聽聽

黑料社区鈥檚 mining sector jumps to 23rd globally in Fraser Institute index聽聽
Updated 12 August 2025

黑料社区鈥檚 mining sector jumps to 23rd globally in Fraser Institute index聽聽

黑料社区鈥檚 mining sector jumps to 23rd globally in Fraser Institute index聽聽

RIYADH: 黑料社区鈥檚 mining sector has leapt 81 places over the past decade to rank 23rd globally in the Fraser Institute鈥檚 Investment Attractiveness Index, underscoring the Kingdom鈥檚 rapid emergence as a global mining contender. 
The rise from 104th place in 2013 marks one of the steepest climbs recorded by the Canadian think tank and puts 黑料社区 ahead of several established mining destinations in Asia and Latin America.  
The Fraser Institute credited the surge to sweeping regulatory reforms, strategic investment, and accelerated exploration activity.
These improvements reflect investor confidence in a stable regulatory environment and the vast untapped mineral wealth supported by large-scale geological surveys, new discoveries, and competitive mining licensing rounds. The rise aligns with the rapid growth of 黑料社区鈥檚 mining industry, a key pillar of the Kingdom鈥檚 Vision 2030 diversification strategy.   
Commenting on the Fraser Institute鈥檚 2024 report, Vice Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Khalid Al-Mudaifer said: 鈥淚t reflects the structural transformation of the Saudi mining sector in line with the targets of Vision 2030.鈥 
He added: 鈥淥ur focus remains on maximizing the economic value of our mineral resources, creating jobs for citizens, and localizing supply chains.鈥  
The vice minister said mining is no longer a traditional sector; rather, 鈥渋t has become a key driver of industrial and economic growth, and we are committed to building on this momentum to ensure sustainable success.鈥 
The Kingdom also ranked 20th globally in the Policy Perception Index, up from 82nd a decade ago, and 24th in the Best Practices Mineral Potential Index, rising from 58th. 
This comes as 黑料社区 issued a record number of new mining exploration licenses in the first half of 2025, registering a 144 percent increase year on year, official data showed.   
The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources reported that 22 licenses were granted during the period, up from nine in the same period a year earlier, underscoring rising investor interest and the government鈥檚 drive to build a more competitive and attractive mining sector.  
Commenting on 黑料社区鈥檚 significant jump in the rankings, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef described the progress as 鈥渦nprecedented positive results that align with the Kingdom鈥檚 rise as a global mining power, reflecting the impact of reforms to enhance competitiveness in the mining investment environment, which have increased global investor confidence.鈥   
鈥淲e are proud of this progress and will continue to develop the mining sector to maximize its role in diversifying our economy in line with Vision 2030 targets,鈥 he added. 


The Fraser Institute highlighted the Kingdom鈥檚 broad regulatory transformation, covering areas such as security of tenure, taxation, environmental legislation, infrastructure, and community engagement, which enabled 黑料社区 to rank in the top quartile of the index for the first time.  
The report also noted investors had no concerns regarding political stability 鈥 one of the Kingdom鈥檚 key strengths 鈥 and commended the Mining Exploration Enablement Program for reducing investment risks and boosting early-stage project confidence.  
Data from the report showed marked improvements between 2013 and 2024, including a 305.8 percent increase in the clarity and effectiveness of mining administration, from 17 percent to 69 percent, ranking 11th globally.   
The clarity of land use for mining activities rose by 82.2 percent, from 45 percent to 82 percent, placing the Kingdom 7th globally.  
The effectiveness of labor regulations improved by 102.2 percent, from 45 percent to 91 percent, while the quality of geological databases saw an 81.8 percent increase, from 33 percent to 60 percent.    
The Fraser Institute鈥檚 Annual Survey of Mining Companies is considered one of the most trusted global benchmarks for evaluating mining investment environments and is widely used by investors, governments, and financial institutions to assess opportunities in the sector.