The Minister of Industry discusses strengthening mining partnerships with three countries in Riyadh
As part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to enhance its position as a global center for the mining sector, His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Mr. Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with a number of ministers and international officials, on the sidelines of the fifth edition of the International Mining Conference held in the capital, Riyadh.
Saudi-Sudanese talks to strengthen geological partnership
Minister Al-Khurayyif began his meetings with a meeting with His Excellency Nour Al-Daim Taha, Minister of Minerals of the Republic of Sudan. The meeting focused on the deep and strong fraternal relations between the two brotherly countries. These discussions are of particular strategic importance given the geographical proximity and geological similarities between the two nations, as they share the Arabian-Nubian Shield, one of the world's richest regions in mineral resources. The two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation in geological surveying and data exchange, which opens up broad prospects for joint mineral exploration.
Expanding cooperation with Mauritania and Argentina
In a related context, His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources met with His Excellency the Minister of Mines and Industry of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Engineer Atiam Tijani. During the meeting, emphasis was placed on the need to advance bilateral cooperation, particularly given Mauritania's promising mineral resources, and mechanisms for developing joint investments that serve the economic interests of both countries were discussed.
The discussions also extended to South America, where Minister Al-Khorayef met with the Secretary of Mines of Argentina, Dr. Luis Lucero. The meeting addressed the importance of strengthening global dialogue on the future of the mining sector, focusing on tackling the challenges facing the supply chains of critical minerals needed for the energy transition. The two sides explored investment opportunities in mineral extraction and processing, as well as exchanging expertise in modern geological surveying techniques.
The mining sector: the third pillar of Saudi industry
These intensive diplomatic and economic moves are part of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which aims to transform the mining sector into the third pillar of national industry, alongside oil, gas, and petrochemicals. Through hosting the International Mining Conference, which saw broad participation from over 100 countries, the Kingdom seeks to lead the global dialogue on minerals, attract high-quality investments, maximize the utilization of its mineral wealth, estimated at 9.4 trillion riyals, and strengthen cooperation with mineral-rich countries in the region stretching from Africa to West and Central Asia.
