The Mining Conference is a prominent global platform that reflects the Kingdom’s status

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced on Thursday the conclusion of the fourth edition of the International Mining Conference, which was held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – may God protect him -, during the period from January 14 – 16, 2025 AD, at the King Abdulaziz International Convention Center in Riyadh. .
In his closing speech of the International Mining Conference, Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef expressed his deepest thanks and appreciation to the wise leadership – may God support it – for its generous support and sponsorship of the conference, which has become a prominent global platform that reflects the Kingdom’s position in the mining sector.

Renaissance of the mining sector

He stressed that this continued support reflects the leadership’s keenness to achieve a renaissance and sustainability, and to achieve the goals of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 for mining to become the third pillar of Saudi industry.

Al-Khorayef expressed his deep thanks to the participating ministers from various countries of the world, and to the partners and sponsors for their valuable contributions that enriched the conference’s sessions and activities, noting that the fruitful discussions witnessed in the sessions, and agreement on innovative solutions that support local communities’ benefit from the sector in a sustainable manner, is a great achievement that makes us proud. What the conference achieved.

International Mining Conference

He stressed that the idea of ​​the International Mining Conference was launched with the aim of drawing attention to the mining region extending from Africa to West and Central Asia, but the success achieved went beyond that, so that the conference became a platform of global interest, bringing together sector leaders to discuss the most important challenges and opportunities.

Minister Al-Khorayef concluded his speech by emphasizing the importance of continuing work in the spirit of cooperation and partnership to achieve a sustainable future for the mining sector, noting that the outcomes of this conference will be a starting point towards a new phase of development and growth, contributing to achieving economic and social development at the global level.

18 thousand participants

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced, at the conclusion of the fourth edition of the International Mining Conference: The number of participants in the conference reached 18,000 participants, including investment leaders, heads of major mining companies, and experts and technical specialists in this field from 165 countries, while 405 speakers including ministers, Their Excellencies ambassadors, and heads of delegations participated in the conference sessions, which amounted to 96 sessions. Countries participating in the conference.

The conference sessions, which extended over two days, addressed pivotal issues including adding value, cooperation across mineral supply chains, and vital investments in the sector’s infrastructure, in addition to discussing untapped resources in the mining sector in Africa, West and Central Asia, and strategies for building resilient mineral supply chains. .

Investment partnerships

The conference sessions also addressed strengthening investment partnerships in mining and mineral processing projects, the sector’s contribution to the development of communities, exploring new mining areas to support manufacturing sectors, and enabling future decisions through what artificial intelligence technologies provide.

Strategies for leveraging local investments and partnerships to enhance the growth of the mining sector were also highlighted, while providing new insights on how to integrate local communities and economies into the mineral value chain, which enhances the integration between innovation and sustainability to achieve a sustainable mining future.

126 agreements and memorandums of understanding

The conference witnessed the announcement of the signing of 126 agreements and memorandums of understanding with a total value of 107 billion riyals, in various fields, including exploration, mining, finance, research, development and innovation, in addition to sustainability, value-added chains, and mining industries.

Four strategic projects were also announced during the conference, including the launch of a joint project between Aramco and Ma’aden to explore critical minerals needed for the energy transition. This partnership combines Aramco’s expertise in geological data and digital technologies with Ma’aden’s capabilities in the areas of exploration and development, as announced by Ma’aden. Minerals announced new discoveries, including a possible expansion of the Mansoura and Masara mines, and discoveries in Wadi al-Jaw and the Shaiban deposits.
In the iron and steel sector, Hadid Company announced its complete acquisition of Al Rajhi Steel Industries Company, with an investment plan of 25 billion riyals to meet the needs of giant projects, while the Chinese company “Baosteel” announced the construction of the first integrated steel factory outside China in cooperation with “Aramco” and the Fund. Public investments.

Accompanying exhibition activities

The international exhibition activities accompanying the conference included the participation of more than 170 exhibitors from around the world, representing the value chain in the mining and metals sector, in addition to national pavilions from 8 countries, including Australia, Austria, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Egypt, India, and Pakistan.
The exhibition included four main areas that reflect the diversity and innovations of the mining sector: the “External Exhibition”, in which leading companies presented the latest machinery and heavy equipment; The “Technical Zone”, which included the latest technological innovations contributing to the development of the mining sector, in addition to the “Internal Exhibition”, which brings together major international companies operating in the metals sector. and the “Exploration Zone,” which highlighted the role of small exploration companies in driving future mineral discoveries.

Metal processing center

Last Tuesday, the conference witnessed the holding of the fourth international ministerial meeting of ministers concerned with mining affairs, 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-governmental international organizations, and global leaders of the mining industry. And minerals.
It is noteworthy that the fourth edition of the conference received praise from the participants, including ministers, government representatives, and companies, noting the Kingdom’s great capabilities in the mining and metals sector, and the capabilities it possesses for excellence in this sector that prepare it to become a center for mineral processing, stressing the importance of continuing to hold the International Mining Conference. To be a catalyst for developing the sector and accelerating mining exploration, in light of the increasing demand for minerals in the world in the future, driven by modern industrial trends, especially with regard to the needs of renewable energy and other industries dependent on critical minerals.