Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan discuss mining development opportunities at the Astana International Conference
Deputy Minister participated Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs, Khaled Al-Mudaifer, in a session entitled: "Strategic dialogue on developing cooperation in the mining and metals sector"was held within the proceedings of the Astana International Mining and Metallurgy Conference "AMM" in the Republic of Kazakhstan, highlighting the growing cooperation between the two friendly countries in the mining sector, and their continued endeavor towards developing flexible and diversified economies based on mineral resources.
During the session, Al-Mudifer stressed the common visions and similar ambitious plans of the Kingdom and Kazakhstan, as the two countries are witnessing major transformations in The mining sector aims to increase the contribution of this vital sector to the gross domestic product, accelerate the journey of economic diversification, and build a flexible and sustainable economic growth model that goes beyond traditional dependence on oil and petrochemicals.
Reforms that pave the way for mining cooperation
Al-Mudaifer pointed out that the two countries have witnessed important reforms in the mining sector in recent years, including modernizing investment frameworks in the field of mining, expanding the scope of geological survey and mapping programs, accelerating exploration activities, and enhancing cooperation with international investors. And partners in the mining sector.
Based on these reforms, both countries have identified opportunities for cooperation between them in the fields of exploration, mineral processing, mining services and final industries.
He added: "These reforms undertaken by the Kingdom strengthened global confidence in The Saudi mining sector, as the Kingdom currently ranks tenth globally in the Investment Attractiveness Index for the year 2025, according to the report issued by the Canadian Fraser Institute."
Opportunities to Explore Rare Minerals
The Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs also noted that phosphate minerals, aluminium, steel, titanium, building materials and rare earth elements are among the most important opportunities for joint investment in the near term between the Kingdom and Kazakhstan.
Al-Mudaifer pointed out that both countries enjoy an important geographical location globally, allowing them to contribute to enhancing the flexibility of global supply chains for minerals, by taking advantage of Their strategic components, the expansion of industrial systems, and long-term common visions in the mining sector.
Al-Mudaifer stressed that the future competitiveness of the mining sector will be determined by the efficiency of integrated value chains, and not only by the availability of resources, as the industrial infrastructure and the integrated mining system, which links extraction, mining services, processing, logistics, manufacturing, and export markets, has become essential to ensuring the flexibility of supply chains in the long term and achieving industrial growth.
Sustainable development and private sector participation
He also stressed However, sustainable development of the minerals sector requires long-term financing, investments from the private sector, and international industrial partnerships capable of combining capital, technology, infrastructure and operational expertise, in order to accelerate industrial development and enhance the flexibility of supply chains.
Al-Mudaifer pointed out the importance of international platforms specialized in anticipating the future of the global mining and metals sector, and addressing its challenges, and among those platforms is the International Mining Conference (FMF), which is held annually in the Kingdom, and the accompanying ministerial round table meeting that brings together governments, sector leaders, and multilateral organizations. investors and stakeholders in the mining sector; With the aim of enhancing coordination in the areas of critical minerals, infrastructure, finance, sustainability and flexibility of supply chains.
It is noteworthy that the sixth edition of the International Mining Conference is scheduled to be held in Riyadh during the month of January 2027.
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