Various challenges facing meeting the growing demand for minerals

His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Minister of Energy, revealed several diverse challenges facing meeting the increasing demand for minerals.
His Highness said in his speech during the International Mining Conference and Exhibition: Energy security is not only related to the availability of gas, but also to providing the necessary infrastructure and the ability to find a sustainable buyer.

Mineral insurance

His Highness added that the mining sector is an integral part of energy security, amid an international race to secure critical minerals.
The Minister pointed out that meeting the increasing demand for basic minerals represents a challenge, especially since mining exploration is followed by carbon emissions as a result of that industry, which in turn contributes to climate change.
He pointed out that among the challenges of the mining sector is the concentration of minerals in specific geographical areas, as well as the time challenge in exploration, in addition to the obstacles related to licensing.
He noted that Saudi Arabia seeks to fully localize supply chains related to minerals.
He pointed out that fossil fuels, coal, and the use of diesel contributed to the accumulation of the carbon footprint.
The International Mining Conference and Exhibition kicked off yesterday in Riyadh, and will continue until tomorrow, Thursday, with the participation of about 170 exhibitors from countries around the world, representing the value chain in the mining and metals sector, in addition to national pavilions for eight countries, including: Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, and India. Pakistan, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
This year, the International Mining Exhibition includes four main areas that reflect the diversity of the mining sector and its innovations, which are the “External Exhibition”, in which companies present the latest machinery and heavy equipment, the “Technical Zone”, which includes the latest technological innovations to develop the mining sector, in addition to the “Exhibition”. “Internal”, which brings together major international companies operating in the minerals sector, and the “Exploration Zone”, in which the role of small exploration companies in leading future mineral discoveries is highlighted.