Mining and Metals Overview

From providing basic infrastructure to enabling green technologies such as electric vehicles and solar panels, the mining and metals sector plays a crucial role in the development of the global economy. In Saudi Arabia, the demand for metal and mineral products exceeds local supply, signifying great potential for domestic mining operations to take advantage of import substitution. In addition, as the Kingdom experiences an unprecedented journey of economic transformation, the demand from resource-heavy manufacturing sectors, such as industrial machinery, electrical equipment, and automotive, is expected to skyrocket.

As a key pillar of Vision 2030, the mining and metals sector represents one of the most exciting blue-sky opportunities for investors in Saudi Arabia with its huge natural resources endowment, under-supplied local market, an unprecedented effort to boost industrial production, and proximity to export markets in the MENA region.

Explore Saudi Arabia's

Mining and Metals Sector

$75BN
GDP contribution by 2035
$1.3TRN
mineral resources potential value
48
minerals identified in the Kingdom
4th
largest importer of mineral products globally
$11.5BN
imports by 2035, down from $19 billion

Value Proposition

Large and untapped mineral reserves

Saudi Arabia offers access to up to $1.3 trillion worth of mineral reserves, including over 15 commercially viable minerals
The Kingdom’s is the world’s 13th largest country by land mass, with 600,000 km² of its 2.1 million km² land mass being a major source of precious and base metals
The largest mineral resources available in the Kingdom are phosphate, gold, and copper, respectively. These are followed by zinc, iron ore, uranium, niobium, silver, feldspar, bauxite, silica, limestone, and others

Large and growing local and regional markets

Under Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 ambitions, the government provides significant support to enable the sector to contribute at full potential to the national economy
The development of the mining sector is a priority sector as it represents the third pillar of the Kingdom’s economic diversification agenda
The Kingdom is located at the crossroad of three rapidly growing continents (Africa, Europe and Asia). This strategic location and proximity to major geographies, coupled with government support, provide investors with an advantage to export locally produced goods

Experienced suppliers, contractors and talent pool

Saudi Arabia’s extensive experience in the oil, gas and chemicals industries has enabled the Kingdom to develop a diverse ecosystem that complements several aspects of the mining and metal industry
The procurement of machinery and equipment from existing companies provides support to the sector, with established maintenance providers with transferrable skills
World-class educational institutes such as King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, King Saud University, and King Abdulaziz University provide the sector with a pool of talent for employment