Riyadh to Host Third Edition of Int’l Future Minerals Forum

The Second Edition Future Minerals Forum in 2022 (SPA)
The Second Edition Future Minerals Forum in 2022 (SPA)
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Riyadh to Host Third Edition of Int’l Future Minerals Forum

The Second Edition Future Minerals Forum in 2022 (SPA)
The Second Edition Future Minerals Forum in 2022 (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced the third edition of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

The Ministry explained that the third edition will build on previous editions of FMF, offering a deep dive into a broad spectrum of topics and critical issues facing the global minerals industry, including sustainability practices and standards, developing green and future minerals value chains, and attracting investments in the super region.

It also aims to integrate knowledge and technology in mining operations and assert the role of the minerals sector in developing local economies and societies.

FMF is an essential platform for the super region, which stretches from Africa to West and Central Asia, bringing together industry leaders, investors, policymakers, and experts to shape the future of the minerals sector collectively.

The Forum is an essential platform for the super region, which stretches from Africa to West and Central Asia, bringing together industry leaders, investors, policymakers, and experts to shape the future of the minerals sector collectively.

The Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar al-Khorayef, confirmed that the international conference is considered the most important in the world, with the support of King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Khorayef pointed out that the conference's third edition will include the supply and demand of the most used mineral, playing a crucial role in the global shift towards clean energy.

It will establish a platform for discussion between metal-producing and consuming countries and ensure continuity of investment in the sector, starting with mines, manufacturing, refining, and processing operations.

"Recognizing the sector's challenges, there's an urgency to develop a clear roadmap and address the growing demand for critical minerals essentials for energy transition. We must facilitate dialogue, decision-making, and collaboration among stakeholders to realize our ambitious energy transition goals," said the Minister.

He stressed that the third edition will continue as a pioneering platform to lay more foundations for participation in decisions and procedures.

The goals are shared between investors, mining companies, and parties worldwide and will also work to highlight the role that the targeted region can play in achieving the world's goals in green transformation.

The main events of FMF will take place on January 10-11, convening ministers, mining investment leaders, and several prominent figures and innovators from a cross-section of global minerals and mining companies.

The sessions will foster rich dialogue on industry trends, investments, and sustainable practices.



Oil Slumps More than 4% after Iran Downplays Israeli Strikes

Oil pump jacks work at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, August 21, 2019. REUTERS/Jessica Lutz/File Photo
Oil pump jacks work at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, August 21, 2019. REUTERS/Jessica Lutz/File Photo
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Oil Slumps More than 4% after Iran Downplays Israeli Strikes

Oil pump jacks work at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, August 21, 2019. REUTERS/Jessica Lutz/File Photo
Oil pump jacks work at sunset near Midland, Texas, US, August 21, 2019. REUTERS/Jessica Lutz/File Photo

Oil prices tumbled more than $3 a barrel on Monday after Israel's retaliatory strike on Iran over the weekend bypassed Tehran's oil and nuclear facilities and did not disrupt energy supplies, easing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
Both Brent and US West Texas Intermediate crude futures hit their lowest levels since Oct. 1 at the open. By 0750 GMT, Brent was at $72.92 a barrel, down $3.13, or 4.1%, while WTI slipped $3.15, or 4.4%, to $68.63 a barrel, Reuters said.
The benchmarks gained 4% last week in volatile trade as markets priced in uncertainty around the extent of Israel's response to the Iranian missile attack on Oct. 1 and the US election next month.
Scores of Israeli jets completed three waves of strikes before dawn on Saturday against missile factories and other sites near Tehran and in western Iran, in the latest exchange in the escalating conflict between the Middle Eastern rivals.
The geopolitical risk premium that had built in oil prices in anticipation of Israel's retaliatory attack came off, analysts said.
"The more limited nature of the strikes, including avoiding oil infrastructure, have raised hopes for a de-escalatory pathway, which has seen the risk premium come off a few dollars a barrel," Saul Kavonic, a Sydney-based energy analyst at MST Marquee, said.
"The market will be watching closely for confirmation Iran won't counter attack in the coming weeks, which could see the risk premium rise again."
Commonwealth Bank of Australia analyst Vivek Dhar expects market attention to turn to ceasefire talks between Israel and Iran-backed militant group Hamas that resumed over the weekend.
"Despite Israel’s choice of a low aggression response to Iran, we have doubts that Israel and Iran’s proxies (i.e. Hamas and Hezbollah) are on track for an enduring ceasefire," he said in a note.
Citi lowered its Brent price target in the next three months to $70 a barrel from $74, factoring in a lower risk premium in the near term, its analysts led by Max Layton said in a note.
Analyst Tim Evans at US-based Evans Energy said in a note: "We think this leaves the market at least somewhat undervalued, with some risk OPEC+ producers may push back the planned increase in output targets beyond December."
In October, the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and their allies, a group known as OPEC+, kept their oil output policy unchanged including a plan to start raising output from December. The group will meet on Dec. 1 ahead of a full meeting of OPEC+.