The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced the full details of the program for the fifth edition of the International Mining Conference , which is scheduled to be held in the capital, Riyadh, from January 13 to 15, 2026. The event is under the generous patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud - may God protect him - and will be held under the slogan "Minerals... Facing the Challenges for a New Era of Development".
Strategic context and importance of the mining sector
This conference comes at a time when the Kingdom is undergoing major economic transformations as part of Saudi Vision 2030, which positions the mining sector as the third pillar of national industry, alongside oil, gas, and petrochemicals. Through this global platform, the Kingdom seeks to lead the dialogue on the vast mining region stretching from Africa to West and Central Asia—a region rich in untapped mineral resources that the world desperately needs to achieve its energy transition and advanced industries.
During a press conference held in Riyadh, the Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs, Engineer Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer, affirmed that the fifth edition of the conference will further solidify the Kingdom's leading position in shaping the future of the global mining and minerals sector. He noted that the conference has become an indispensable international platform for shaping the future of minerals and managing responsible supply chains, particularly in light of geopolitical tensions affecting market stability.
Global impact and bridging the supply gap
The event is gaining increasing international importance due to the critical need for essential minerals (such as lithium, copper, and cobalt) required for the electric vehicle industry and renewable energy technologies. Al-Mudaifer explained that the conference brings together governments, the private sector, and financial institutions for a shared practical goal: securing the minerals needed for a new era of development, with a focus on maximizing economic returns for producing countries and establishing sustainability.
His Excellency pointed out that one of the most prominent challenges that the conference will address is the financing gaps for infrastructure and exploration, as the conference is working in coordination with the World Bank to promote the entry of multilateral financing and commercial capital into cross-border projects, which contributes to accelerating the growth of global supplies.
Conference program and key participants
For his part, Ali Al-Mutairi, General Supervisor of the International Mining Conference, explained that the international ministerial meeting will be the highlight, with targeted participation from approximately 100 countries and 70 international organizations. The conference will feature over 400 speakers, 90% of whom will be CEOs and senior leaders, reflecting the significant momentum the event is generating.
Al-Mutairi added that the program was designed to ensure a smooth transition from dialogue to implementation and commitment, noting the participation of vital sectors such as the automotive industry, energy, and data centers. He also anticipates that the conference will attract more than 20,000 participants, 75% of whom will be from outside the Kingdom, underscoring the event's global reach.
Quality initiatives and strategic partnerships
In the context of developing the conference's outputs, Strategy and Programs Director Aldo Benini confirmed that the fifth edition will see the launch of the "Future of Minerals" report in partnership with McKinsey, in addition to new events such as the "Mining Investment Journey" and the "Finance Gateway" in partnership with the Bank of Montreal (BMO). The conference will also focus on empowering youth and women through "MinGen" workshops and fostering innovation through the "MinValley" platform, to ensure the development of human and technological capabilities that meet the sector's future aspirations.
