Ministry of Industry: 311 mining inspection tours, with the Eastern Province topping the list
The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, represented by the Agency for Supervision of Mining Operations, continued its diligent efforts to regulate the mining sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, announcing the implementation of 311 field inspection tours to a number of mining sites in various regions of the Kingdom during December 2025. These tours come within the framework of the Ministry’s continuous endeavor to ensure that establishments comply with the Mining Investment Law and its implementing regulations.
Details of inspection tours and their geographical distribution
The official spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Jarrah Al-Jarrah, revealed detailed statistics for these inspection tours, explaining that the Eastern Province accounted for the largest share with (92) inspection tours, reflecting the intensive mining activity in the region. The Riyadh region came in second with (85) tours, followed by the Asir region with (51) tours, and then the Madinah region with (42) tours.
The inspection tours also covered other regions, with (18) tours conducted in the Tabuk region, (9) tours in the Makkah region, (6) tours in the Hail region, and (5) tours in the Najran region. The inspection efforts extended to include one tour each in the Jazan, Al-Baha, and Al-Jawf regions, to ensure comprehensive coverage of all mining holdings in the Kingdom.
The third pillar of national industry and Vision 2030
These inspection tours are of paramount strategic importance, extending beyond mere monitoring and follow-up. They are an implementation of the objectives of the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which has established the mining sector as the third pillar of national industry, alongside oil, gas, and petrochemicals. Through this rigorous oversight, the Ministry aims to maximize the value derived from natural mineral resources and ensure their optimal exploitation to serve the national economy.
Official data indicates that the value of mineral resources in the Kingdom is estimated at about 9.3 trillion riyals, and they are spread across more than 5,300 sites, making the preservation of these resources and their protection from waste or irregular exploitation a national priority to promote the diversification of income sources and the development of non-oil revenues.
Environmental compliance and protection of local communities
The ministry emphasized that these inspections are not solely aimed at enforcing penalties, but primarily focus on the principle of "warning before imposing penalties," guiding investors toward proper compliance with regulations. Through its Mining Operations Supervision Agency, the ministry seeks to ensure the sector's protection from unregulated practices that could harm the environment or waste resources.
The ministry also pays close attention to protecting communities adjacent to mining areas, as monitoring tours ensure that companies comply with environmental and health standards, and reduce the negative impacts of mining activities, in order to achieve a balance between economic development and environmental and social sustainability.
