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Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh to Host World’s Largest Gathering of Geological Survey Leaders in January

Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh to Host World’s Largest Gathering of Geological Survey Leaders in January
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Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh to Host World’s Largest Gathering of Geological Survey Leaders in January

Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh to Host World’s Largest Gathering of Geological Survey Leaders in January

The fourth Future Minerals Forum, scheduled to be held in Riyadh in January, will host two prominent international meetings: the second International Meeting of Geological Survey Authorities and the first Meeting of Centers of Excellence and Technology, reported the Saudi Press Agency on Tuesday.

The events aim to bolster international cooperation in mining and advance geological and research capacities to increase the production of minerals essential for the energy transition and broader industrial development.

The second Meeting of International Geological Survey Leaders, set for January 14, will gather heads of geological survey authorities from Africa and Asia, as well as representatives from the US Geological Survey, British Geological Survey, French Geological Survey (BRGM), and Geological Survey of Finland (GTK).

Discussions at the meeting will focus on boosting geological capacities within the Greater Region, spanning Africa to West and Central Asia, to attract more investments. This includes empowering geologists, leveraging digital technology and artificial intelligence to more accurately identify mineral sites, and exploring the establishment of a regional center of excellence to foster innovation, develop skills, and adopt technology in mineral-producing countries.

Meanwhile, the forum will feature the inaugural Meeting of Centers of Excellence and Technology, an initiative of the International Ministerial Meeting, with the participation of academic institutions, including specialized institutes and universities. The meeting aims to create a regional network focused on building capacities and accelerating technology in the Greater Region to secure its leadership in the minerals sectors.

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Oil Prices Ease but Remain Near 2-week Highs on Russia, Iran Tensions

FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford//File Photo
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Oil Prices Ease but Remain Near 2-week Highs on Russia, Iran Tensions

FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford//File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Pump jacks operate in front of a drilling rig in an oil field in Midland, Texas US August 22, 2018. Picture taken August 22, 2018. REUTERS/Nick Oxford//File Photo

Oil prices retreated on Monday following 6% gains last week, but remained near two-week highs as geopolitical tensions grew between Western powers and major oil producers Russia and Iran, raising risks of supply disruption.
Brent crude futures slipped 26 cents, or 0.35%, to $74.91 a barrel by 0440 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures were at $70.97 a barrel, down 27 cents, or 0.38%.
Both contracts last week notched their biggest weekly gains since late September to reach their highest settlement levels since Nov. 7 after Russia fired a hypersonic missile at Ukraine in a warning to the United States and UK following strikes by Kyiv on Russia using US and British weapons.
"Oil prices are starting the new week with some slight cool-off as market participants await more cues from geopolitical developments and the Fed’s policy outlook to set the tone," said Yeap Jun Rong, market strategist at IG.
"Tensions between Ukraine and Russia have edged up a notch lately, leading to some pricing for the risks of a wider escalation potentially impacting oil supplies."
As both Ukraine and Russia vie to gain some leverage ahead of any upcoming negotiations under a Trump administration, the tensions may likely persist into the year-end, keeping Brent prices supported around $70-$80, Yeap added.
In addition, Iran reacted to a resolution passed by the UN nuclear watchdog on Thursday by ordering measures such as activating various new and advanced centrifuges used in enriching uranium.
"The IAEA censure and Iran’s response heightens the likelihood that Trump will look to enforce sanctions against Iran’s oil exports when he comes into power," Vivek Dhar, a commodities strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia said in a note.
Enforced sanctions could sideline about 1 million barrels per day of Iran’s oil exports, about 1% of global oil supply, he said.
The Iranian foreign ministry said on Sunday that it will hold talks about its disputed nuclear program with three European powers on Nov. 29.
"Markets are concerned not only about damage to oil ports and infrastructure, but also the possibility of war contagion and involvement of more countries," said Priyanka Sachdeva, senior market analyst at Phillip Nova.
Investors were also focused on rising crude oil demand at China and India, the world's top and third-largest importers, respectively.
China's crude imports rebounded in November as lower prices drew stockpiling demand while Indian refiners increased crude throughput by 3% on year to 5.04 million bpd in October, buoyed by fuel exports.
For the week, traders will be eyeing US personal consumption expenditures (PCE) data, due on Wednesday, as that will likely inform the Federal Reserve’s policy meeting scheduled for Dec. 17-18, Sachdeva said.