His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Mr. Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, held a series of strategic bilateral meetings with several ministers from participating countries at the fifth edition of the International Mining Conference in Riyadh. Discussions focused on ways to enhance cooperation and develop mutual investments in the mining sector, serving shared interests and supporting global supply chains.
Strengthening Arab and African ties
At the start of his meetings, Al-Khurayyif met with His Excellency Nour Al-Daim Taha, Minister of Minerals of the Republic of Sudan, where both sides affirmed the strong fraternal relations between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Sudan. They discussed mechanisms for activating cooperation in the field of mineral resources and exploiting promising investment opportunities in mineral exploration, particularly given the vast natural resources possessed by both countries, which require concerted efforts to extract them and maximize their economic value.
Minister Al-Kharif also met with His Excellency the Minister of Mines and Industry of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Engineer Atiam Tijani. During the meeting, they discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the two sides in the field of mineral resources, focusing on the exchange of technical expertise and the development of joint investments, which would contribute to developing the infrastructure of the mining sector in both countries.
International partnerships to secure critical minerals
At the international level, Minister Al-Khorayef met with the Secretary of Mines of the Republic of Argentina, Dr. Luis Lucero. The meeting addressed the importance of strengthening global dialogue on the future of the mining sector and the need for joint efforts to address the challenges facing the supply of critical minerals necessary for the energy transition. The two sides explored joint opportunities in mineral extraction and processing, as well as enhancing cooperation in geological surveying and modern mining technologies.
Strategic context and Vision 2030
These intensified efforts are part of Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to transform the mining sector into the third pillar of national industry, alongside oil, gas, and petrochemicals. By hosting the International Mining Conference, the Kingdom seeks to lead the global dialogue on minerals, particularly in the region stretching from Africa to West and Central Asia, known as the “Greater Mining Region.”.
This event is gaining increasing international importance in light of the global race to secure the minerals necessary for advanced industries and clean energy, as the Kingdom works to attract quality investments and localize technologies, benefiting from its mineral wealth, which is valued at about 9.4 trillion riyals ($2.5 trillion), thus enhancing its position as a global logistics and industrial center.
