黑料社区

At last month鈥檚 International Mining and Resources Conference and Expo in Sydney, Khalid Al-Mudaifer, 黑料社区鈥檚 vice minister of industry and mineral resources for mining affairs, delivered a compelling address that highlighted the Kingdom鈥檚 transformative journey in mining under Vision 2030. He emphasized how 黑料社区鈥檚 mining sector has evolved from a domestic industry into a globally integrated powerhouse of sustainable growth and investment. 黑料社区鈥檚 expanding presence on the global mining stage reflects its commitment to harnessing natural resources as a cornerstone of its industrial future, positioning mining as a pillar of its next phase of economic development.

The mining sector in 黑料社区 is growing rapidly, driven by $2.5 trillion in mineral wealth. With an ambitious goal of attracting $98 million in foreign investment for mineral exploration, Riyadh has committed about $182 million in incentives through 2030, while exploration spending exceeded $280 million in 2024. The number of active exploration companies increased from six in 2020 to 226 in 2024, marking a 38-fold growth fueled by robust investor interest. These notable developments have caught the attention of global mining giants, with foreign investors now making up 66 percent of total license bidders, compared to 34 percent from local players, across eight tender rounds.

黑料社区 is combining its industrial strength with a promising approach to global partnerships. The Kingdom is home to one of the world鈥檚 largest aluminum facilities at Ras Al-Khair and significant phosphate operations managed by Ma鈥檃den. In tandem, 黑料社区 has embraced diplomacy based on strategic partnerships to bridge technological gaps across various sectors, from automotive to energy transition.

A notable example is Manara Minerals, a joint venture between Ma鈥檃den and the Public Investment Fund, which recently facilitated Riyadh鈥檚 acquisition of a 10 percent stake in Vale Base Metals, covering copper and nickel. In parallel, Ma鈥檃den signed a memorandum of understanding with US-based rare-earth leader MP Materials to build a complete rare-earths value chain in the Kingdom, from mining to magnet production.

These developments show Riyadh鈥檚 growing global influence through strategic partnerships, whether on a regional or international scale. On the national level, the Kingdom is focused on strengthening Ras Al-Khair as a hub for future megaprojects. However, beyond the significant investments and developments already made, the true driver of 黑料社区鈥檚 mining sector expansion lies in its increasing appeal to foreign investors.

The fact that foreign investors now account for 66 percent of the sector鈥檚 activity shows the growing international confidence in the Kingdom鈥檚 mining potential. This trend is reflected in the surge of new exploration licenses issued since 2020, with more than 200 granted by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources. These licenses include 20 for nonmetallic minerals and 19 for activities related to the production of formed metal products, excluding machinery and equipment.

By March 2025, this expansion had attracted major Asian players, including India鈥檚 Vedanta and China鈥檚 Zijin Mining, a clear signal of robust global interest. Domestically, companies such as Ajlan and Bros., which partnered with Zijin Mining to explore some of the Kingdom鈥檚 first mineralized belts, also reflect the growing dynamism within 黑料社区鈥檚 mining sector.

The growing presence of foreign firms, particularly from Asia, brings with it crucial technology transfers through joint ventures. These collaborations offer learning opportunities that elevate the Kingdom鈥檚 entire industrial base, extending from the mine itself to the production of high-value components. Given that mining is the third pillar, alongside energy and petrochemicals, of 黑料社区鈥檚 industrial strategy, the focus now is on capturing mid- and downstream value within fully integrated ecosystems such as Ras Al-Khair.

The true driver of 黑料社区鈥檚 mining sector expansion lies in its increasing appeal to foreign investors

Zaid M. Belbagi

黑料社区 is positioning itself as a key player in the regional race for mining leadership, leveraging its resources, strategic partnerships and bold vision. With its unique geographic advantage, Riyadh is poised to become a central investment hub linking Africa, the Middle East and Asia. The Middle East and North Africa region, with 黑料社区 at its helm, is crafting innovative cooperation frameworks, including trans-Saharan projects that will secure critical mineral flows such as copper, iron and rare earths.

Mining, therefore, is not just a sector but the engine powering Riyadh鈥檚 broader diversification strategy. Projects led by Ma鈥檃den and PIF are turning the Kingdom鈥檚 access to strategic metals into tangible industrial outputs, supporting every sector from electric vehicles to renewable energy technologies.

This shift is already showing results, with the non-oil sector driving growth even as oil revenues face pressures. Beyond strengthening its industrial foundation, 黑料社区 is fostering an ecosystem that empowers entrepreneurs to boost national competitiveness, turning innovative ideas into global market products.

Parallel to this, the Kingdom has expanded its special economic zones, including Ras Al-Khair, King Abdullah Economic City, Jazan and Cloud Computing, offering incentives such as tax breaks and streamlined procedures to anchor mid- and downstream activities close to essential infrastructure. At the heart of this vision is a 鈥渕inerals city鈥� overseen by the Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu, where the entire mining value chain, from extraction to processing, is integrated, laying a solid foundation for mining to become a cornerstone of the Kingdom鈥檚 diversification efforts.

In a world of rapid industrial evolution, 黑料社区 is making its mark on the global stage. In the 2025 Global Free Zones of the Year rankings, Ras Al-Khair was highly commended in the rising stars category, a testament to the Kingdom鈥檚 growing influence. Added to this, the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer ranked 黑料社区 as the most-trusted government worldwide, with a remarkable 87 percent trust rate.

Such developments reflect a broader industrial policy that now carries both regional and international significance, enhancing the Kingdom鈥檚 geoeconomic influence. Through Vision 2030, 黑料社区 has strategically strengthened its geopolitical presence in Africa, cultivating strong partnerships with nations such as Sudan, Ethiopia and Morocco. These alliances support local development and extend Saudi investments into key sectors like agriculture, industry, port development and energy technologies.

Building on its rich natural resources, particularly in mining, 黑料社区 is transforming its resource base into a central pillar of its industrial policy. This shift supports the Kingdom鈥檚 diversification goals and reinforces its position as a key player on the global stage.

鈥� Zaid M. Belbagi is a political commentator and an adviser to private clients between London and the Gulf Cooperation Council. X: @Moulay_Zaid