Saudi Arabia Unveils Major Mining Infrastructure Plan at FMF Event
In a decisive move to transform its ambitious mineral strategy into reality, Saudi Arabia has announced a sweeping new infrastructure plan at the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Riyadh. Speaking to a global gathering of ministers and industry leaders from over 100 countries, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef unveiled initiatives designed to de-risk investment and accelerate the entire mining value chain, positioning the Kingdom as a cornerstone of the future global minerals ecosystem.
The Infrastructure Enablement Initiative: From Vision to Pipeline
A central pillar of the announcement is the launch of the Mining Infrastructure Enablement Initiative, established in partnership with MODON, the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones. This plan directly targets one of the sector’s most significant hurdles: the lack of ready infrastructure, which often delays projects for years.
The initiative will move from blueprint to action immediately. Its first concrete project is a 75-kilometer treated water pipeline to serve mining developments in the Jabal Sayid region. By providing essential utilities upfront, the Kingdom aims to dramatically speed up project timelines and attract developers by lowering initial capital burdens and operational risks.
Unlocking Capital and Innovation
Recognizing that infrastructure alone is not enough, Minister Alkhorayef also addressed the critical challenge of financing. In cooperation with the Bank of Montreal, Saudi Arabia is launching a dedicated financing portal—a “gateway to funding” intended to connect viable mining projects with global capital.
Concurrently, the Kingdom is tapping into global ingenuity through its first Global Future Mineral Pioneer Competition. The contest, which attracted over 1,800 innovators from 57 countries, is designed to fast-track mining innovation from concept to practical, deployable solutions, reinforcing Riyadh’s emerging role as a hub for mining talent and technological development.
A Record of Delivery and a $2.5 Trillion Promise
The announcements build upon tangible progress. The minister highlighted that Saudi Arabia has now completed comprehensive survey mapping of the mineral-rich Arabian Shield. Exploration spending has skyrocketed, increasing more than fivefold in recent years to over $280 million in 2024.
The Kingdom’s competitive licensing rounds are translating potential into projects. To date, over 33,000 square kilometers have been awarded, with the ninth round alone granting 172 sites. This aggressive cadence will continue through 2026 and 2027, systematically unlocking what the Kingdom estimates is a $2.5 trillion mineral endowment.
A “Global Cause” for a New Era
Framing the forum’s theme, “Dawn of a global cause,” Alkhorayef positioned minerals as the indispensable foundation for global priorities. “While AI and energy transition may dominate the headlines,” he noted, “without minerals neither is possible.”
This cause is being advanced through robust international collaboration. The minister pointed to the adoption of the FMF framework, progress on global centers of excellence, the development of responsible mining standards, and alignment with the World Bank’s new mining strategy as outcomes of the forum’s most productive ministerial roundtable to date.
The Road Ahead
With the introduction of the Future Minerals Barometer to track value-chain development and these latest infrastructure and financial tools, Saudi Arabia is methodically constructing the ecosystem required for a world-class mining sector. The message from Riyadh is clear: the Kingdom is not just opening its geological map but is building the roads, pipelines, financial bridges, and innovation networks to ensure that its vast resources can efficiently and responsibly fuel the global transition. This is more than industrial policy; it is a strategic investment in the bedrock of our shared future.
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