Participants in the mining ministers’ meeting praise the Kingdom’s pioneering role

The Fourth International Ministerial Meeting of Ministers Concerned with Mining Affairs concluded today in Riyadh, held within the framework of the International Mining Conference, with the participation of ministers and high-level government officials from more than 89 countries, including 16 G20 countries, along with 50 official and non-official international organizations. Government, commodity trade associations, and global leaders in the mining and metals industry.
The Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Chairman of the Fourth International Meeting of Ministers Concerned with Mining Affairs, Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, opened the meeting with a speech in which he highlighted the importance of continuing international cooperation to confront the challenges it is witnessing, and realizing the vital role of the sector in achieving sustainable development.

Global supply chains

In his speech, the Minister addressed the importance of the topics up for discussion during the meeting in achieving tangible positive changes in, by enhancing transparency and sustainability, and encouraging investment in infrastructure and modern technologies.
He stressed that joint efforts between governments, relevant industries and societies are key to achieving the desired goals, stressing that the meeting aims to develop a general agreement on minerals to ensure the sustainability of global supply chains.

Al-Khorayef called on the participants to present their ideas and initiatives that would enhance international cooperation and build strategic partnerships. It contributes to achieving the meeting’s goals of building a prosperous future for the mining and metals sector globally.

Mining projects

In a related context, the final statement of the Fourth International Ministerial Meeting of Ministers Concerned with Mining Affairs indicated that the participants in the meeting stressed the importance of the role played by the Kingdom in promoting global dialogue on the mining and minerals sector, praising the International Mining Conference and the International Ministerial Meeting, as two pioneering global platforms that allow… Countries producing and consuming minerals should work together to take practical steps to increase investments, enhance local value, build capabilities and qualify cadres, and ensure reliable exploration and production operations. And responsibility towards the environment and communities surrounding mining projects.

They also emphasized the distinguished opportunities that the conference and ministerial meeting provide to exchange experiences and discuss the challenges facing the mining sector at the regional and international levels. This contributes to enhancing cooperation and supporting the sustainability of the sector at the international level to achieve the goals of economic and social development.

Promoting sustainable development

The participants praised the overall results achieved by the coordination groups, which reflected the countries’ commitment to transforming discussions into practical steps that contribute to promoting sustainable development, increasing investments, and developing the mining sector as a basic pillar of the global economy.
They stressed the importance of focusing on these initiatives; As it represents a fundamental step towards developing a comprehensive road map for sustainable development, achieving a balance between optimal exploitation of resources and preserving the environment.

International Mining Conference

The Chairman of the meeting, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, briefed the participants on the progress made in establishing a regional network of centers of excellence in Africa, West and Central Asia during the year 2024.
The ministers participating in the meeting praised the positive impact of the efforts resulting from the previous ministerial meeting of the International Mining Conference. This network aims to be a fundamental pillar of the international framework, as it seeks to build capabilities in developing countries. By training and qualifying young people to take advantage of the career opportunities provided by the growing mining and minerals sector, it also aims to enhance technological innovation, achieve outstanding performance in terms of sustainability, in addition to developing geological surveying and exploration operations.

Network of centers of excellence

In this regard, the meeting reviewed the nature of the first phase of the network of centers of excellence, which includes nine centers, whose work is coordinated through the International Mining Conference platform, and aims to enable and develop future metal industries in environmentally sustainable ways, while maximizing the social economic benefits in Africa, West and Central Asia.
This network consists of three main centers: Mohammed VI Polytechnic University in Morocco as a center for sustainability, the Innovation Oasis and Mining Technology Accelerators (MIAP) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which was established within the framework of the International Mining Conference to serve as a technological center, and the Scientific and Industrial Research Council. In South Africa (CSIR) as a talent development centre.

Roadmap for cooperation

On the other hand, the meeting participants agreed to take additional steps towards achieving a general agreement on minerals. It includes new partnership models that rely on comprehensive cooperation to increase investments in mineral supplies. In this regard, a roadmap for cooperation was reviewed aiming to reduce investment risks. Participants called on relevant international organizations to take the initiative to take the lead for this work, considering that the first stage of practical steps of this kind. Its results will be used for application during the following stages.
The participants also called on these organizations to contribute to addressing the challenges related to the mental image of the mining sector, accelerating the periods for issuing exploration licenses, and securing community support for the minerals sector, in addition to increasing the funding necessary to produce the minerals that the world needs.
In conclusion, the participants in the fourth ministerial meeting of ministers concerned with mining affairs expressed their thanks and gratitude to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – may God support him – for his interest and sponsorship of the International Mining Conference.
They stressed that the large international ministerial gathering embodies the vision of His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, in enhancing joint work and cooperation, and his efforts – may God protect him – in expanding the horizons of international cooperation represented in the numerous international and regional summits that Hosted by the Kingdom.