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Deputy Minister of Industry: Saudi Arabia to Establish International Frameworks for Sustainability in Mining Sector

Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Eng. Khalid Al-Mudaifer (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)
Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Eng. Khalid Al-Mudaifer (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)
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Deputy Minister of Industry: Saudi Arabia to Establish International Frameworks for Sustainability in Mining Sector

Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Eng. Khalid Al-Mudaifer (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)
Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Eng. Khalid Al-Mudaifer (Photo: Turki Al-Aqili)

Saudi Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs Eng. Khalid Al-Mudaifer revealed that spending on exploration in Saudi Arabia’s mining sector has seen a significant rise, increasing from approximately SAR 100 million ($26.6 million) in 2018 to over SAR 500 million ($133.3 million) annually.

Al-Mudaifer stated that these funds are being invested in local service companies, including drilling and laboratory services, as well as employing Saudi and international professionals.

The deputy minister made these remarks during a press conference held to unveil details of the fourth edition of the International Mining Conference, scheduled to take place in Riyadh from January 14-16.

Al-Mudaifer described the conference as a key platform for addressing challenges in the mining sector and finding practical solutions. The event will host representatives from 85 countries, including mineral producers and consumers, alongside over 50 international organizations, trade unions, and community organizations.

The conference will feature more than 75 sessions with over 250 speakers, including ministers and senior local and international officials, covering pressing topics such as project financing, promoting future mining zones, the role of minerals in community development, and the impact of technology on the sector.

Al-Mudaifer emphasized Saudi Arabia’s ambition to establish international cooperation frameworks in mining, driven by its historical significance and geographic location as a trusted energy supplier. He highlighted the need for a unified global effort to address the sector’s growing challenges, including insufficient exploration spending, which currently falls short of the level required to achieve sustainable growth.

The deputy minister noted that increased exploration investment, technological innovation, and attracting further investment are essential for overcoming these challenges. Despite these obstacles, he remains optimistic, citing the rising global demand for minerals as a significant economic growth driver.

Saudi Arabia is experiencing significant opportunities in mining, particularly in exploration. Al-Mudaifer pointed out that new mineralized zones, covering areas between 2,000 and 4,000 square kilometers, have been announced for 2024—a tenfold increase compared to 2023.

Previously, only 1,000 square kilometers were allocated annually for exploration, but this year, approximately 10,000 square kilometers were offered, he remarked. Several major international companies have entered the latest investment competitions, committing to exploration spending, employing young Saudi geologists, and supporting local communities near exploration sites.

Investments and Regulatory Advancements

According to Al-Mudaifer, Saudi Arabia has seen substantial investments in the mining and minerals sectors, particularly in iron, aluminum, electric vehicle batteries, copper, and chemicals. Current investments exceed SAR 120 billion ($32 billion) and are projected to reach SAR 300 billion ($80 billion) by 2035.

He also noted that the Kingdom, is one of the fastest-advancing countries in developing mining regulations and infrastructure. This progress is attributed to the comprehensive strategies under Saudi Vision 2030, which seek to position the Kingdom as a global leader in all sectors, with a strong focus on sustainability.

Aramco Fields

Al-Mudaifer disclosed that Saudi Arabia successfully extracted lithium from brine samples in Aramco’s fields and is planning to launch a commercial pilot program for direct lithium extraction soon. The project will be led by Lithium Infinity (LihyTech), a startup from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, in collaboration with Aramco and the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden).

Sustainable Development

Ali Al-Mutairi, General Supervisor of the International Mining Conference, stated that inclusivity will be a cornerstone of the event, which aims to bring together all stakeholders in the global mining industry, including governments, international policy-making organizations, NGOs, and investors with the financial capacity to support major projects.

One of the primary goals of the sector, he added, is to foster community development, aligning with the focus of rights of organizations on environmental sustainability and talent development to create job opportunities and promote sustainable growth.

Global Networks

The upcoming conference will spotlight G20 nations and other resource-rich countries, drawing participation from 85 nations and various organizations, including UN-affiliated ones.

A notable new event on the conference’s sidelines will be a meeting of global centers of excellence and technology to establish a regional and international network aimed at building human capacity, accelerating the adoption of advanced technologies, and transferring expertise from developed to less-developed countries.

The conference will also introduce the Investment Pathway, a two-day program designed to address one of the mining industry’s critical challenges: financing, particularly for early-stage exploration projects.

Knowledge Exchange

The accompanying three-day exhibition will focus on modern mining technologies, Al-Mutairi said, adding that it will feature national pavilions from leading mineral-producing countries, including Australia, Canada, Brazil, and India, fostering technological and knowledge exchange.

For the first time, the conference will host a Knowledge Exchange Day, providing a dedicated platform to share the latest developments in mineral information, geology, technology, sustainability, and talent development, with the aim to enhance collaboration and expertise-sharing among global specialists.

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Business

Saudi Arabia Boosts Firms’ Readiness for Supply Chain Challenges

Container ship at King Abdullah Port (SPA)
Container ship at King Abdullah Port (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Boosts Firms’ Readiness for Supply Chain Challenges

Container ship at King Abdullah Port (SPA)
Container ship at King Abdullah Port (SPA)

Amid mounting geopolitical tensions threatening global supply chains, particularly disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, Saudi Arabia is stepping up efforts to shield its economy by strengthening private sector readiness to withstand external shocks.

Asharq Al-Awsat has learned that the Federation of Saudi Chambers is moving to boost companies’ preparedness, unify procedures, and keep business flowing smoothly amid rising logistical risks.

The push underscores authorities’ focus on safeguarding the domestic market by helping businesses adapt quickly and strengthen operational resilience, supporting economic stability and sustained growth.

Future decisions

As part of efforts to bolster supply chain resilience, the Federation of Saudi Chambers is mapping challenges facing companies and national institutions, aiming to present the sector’s voice directly, build a clear picture of on-the-ground obstacles, and help shape future decisions.

It is tracking operational and logistical hurdles and turning them into inputs for relevant authorities to improve regulations and support market-based decision-making.

Improving the regulatory environment

The federation has asked companies to pinpoint challenges across ports, airports, logistics hubs, and warehouses, as well as those tied to regulators.

It urged firms to specify issues such as clearance or transit delays, procedural disruptions, added costs, lack of information, conflicting instructions, and regulatory requirements, along with their impact, whether financial or operational, including delivery delays, lost clients, suspended contracts, damaged cargo, and supply chain breakdowns.

The findings are expected to feed into regulatory improvements and more informed policymaking.

Alternative routes

Saudi Arabia has rolled out proactive logistics measures to reduce reliance on the Strait of Hormuz, including new corridors linking Gulf ports through alternative land and sea routes, Red Sea options, and additional shipping services to expand port capacity.

The Transport General Authority said licensed operators will be allowed to carry goods for third parties until Sept. 25, aiming to boost fleet efficiency and flexibility.

The authority said the step will help companies make better use of capacity, support supply chain continuity, and improve cargo movement within the kingdom and to neighboring countries.

On Thursday, it also approved regulatory updates extending deadlines for land freight firms to adjust their status, aiming to raise efficiency and compliance.

The extension covers heavy and light transport activities until Aug. 27, 2026, giving companies more time to meet regulatory requirements.

It also includes cases involving the reclassification of vehicle registration from private to public use in heavy freight, in a move to better regulate the sector and improve fleet utilization.

Business

War Hits Lebanon Dollar Lifeline, Remittances Fall Sharply

Lebanon’s central bank (National News Agency)
Lebanon’s central bank (National News Agency)
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War Hits Lebanon Dollar Lifeline, Remittances Fall Sharply

Lebanon’s central bank (National News Agency)
Lebanon’s central bank (National News Agency)

A Lebanese mother described the sharp decline in one of her last sources of income, once a pillar of her financial stability, as remittances from her son abroad dwindled in the wake of the war.

“My son used to send me $600 a month. I lived on it, covered my medication and basic needs. After the war, the transfer does not exceed $200,” she told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Her account reflects a broader trend among Lebanese households, in which remittances from relatives abroad have dropped by 10% to 15% during the war. The conflict has left its mark on multiple countries, including Lebanon, driving inflation and creating obstacles to money transfers.

The financial situation was also discussed in a meeting between Lebanese President Joseph Aoun and central bank governor Karim Saeed, where current monetary and financial conditions, exchange rate stability, and precautionary measures to maintain liquidity were reviewed.

Rapid contraction and rising pressure

The issue has reached the government. Economy Minister Amer Bisat presented updated wartime estimates to the cabinet on Thursday, highlighting economic contraction and declining incomes driven by large-scale displacement, along with a notable rise in unemployment.

He cited sectoral and field studies showing deteriorating indicators, estimating the contraction at 7%-10%, coupled with slower inflows of funds into the country.

Bisat said the situation remains “relatively under control,” noting that the ministry continues to pursue cases of monopoly and fraud through dozens of reports, judicial referrals, and the seizure of non-compliant goods.

He warned that a prolonged war would heighten economic risks, describing inflation as a real challenge, while the balance of payments remains within acceptable limits.

Impact on daily life

The Lebanese mother told Asharq Al-Awsat: “I used to organize my life around the $600 my son sent me every month. I would pay for medication first, then cover household needs. Now I have to ration spending. I can no longer pay the electricity bill regularly.”

She added: “I buy smaller quantities of everything and postpone whatever I can. Sometimes I ask the pharmacy for medicine on credit. I never imagined I would reach this point.”

In the Bekaa Valley, Abu Mohammad described a similar experience: “My son used to send $400 a month, now it barely reaches $200.”

“I relied on that amount to cover rent and basic expenses. Now everything has changed. We live day to day on installments. We buy only the bare minimum and delay everything, rent, bills, even some essentials,” he said.

“Sometimes we sit together as a family to decide what we can pay this month and what to postpone. This did not exist before. Now it is part of our daily life.”

A shrinking economic backbone

Economist Walid Abou Suleiman said remittances have formed the “backbone of Lebanon’s economy since the 2019 crisis,” noting that the country relies heavily on them to secure foreign currency, as Lebanon imports about 85% of its consumer needs.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that annual remittances are estimated at around $6 billion, including roughly $3 billion from Gulf countries, but have begun to decline, with at least a 5% drop recorded in the first month of the crisis.

“The impact of crises does not appear immediately; it builds gradually in the following months, meaning the decline is likely to worsen,” he said.

Hundreds of millions in losses

Abou Suleiman expects remittances to fall by 10% to 15%, equivalent to annual losses of between $450 million and $500 million, or about $40 million per month.

This decline is compounded by job losses among Lebanese expatriates in the Gulf, increasing domestic pressure as some return to Lebanon.

He added that the war has also affected other sources of foreign currency, particularly tourism. “Seasons that used to inject dollars into the market, such as Easter, have been absent this year,” he said, adding that rising global oil prices are worsening the crisis, as Lebanon is among the countries most affected by energy costs.

“The treasury is bearing additional burdens estimated at around 18% due to these increases,” he said.

Abou Suleiman warned that global inflation directly impacts Lebanon. “We do not only import goods, but we also import inflation with them, given the absence of local production and self-sufficiency,” he said, cautioning that the economic outlook will deteriorate further if the war continues.

Ongoing decline and uncertain outlook

Economist Professor Jassem Ajaka said remittances to Lebanon have recorded a notable decline, estimating a drop of around 5% last week, possibly rising to between 5% and 10% as conditions continue to evolve, with no precise figure due to constantly changing data.

He said the decline is logical, as Lebanese workers in the Gulf and Europe have also been affected by slowing economic conditions there.

“The crisis is no longer confined to one country or region; it is global, though its impact varies from place to place,” he said.

Ajaka stressed that remittances remain a key pillar, alongside tourism, which is largely driven by expatriates. “The tourism sector is almost entirely halted. The season can be considered lost, and even the upcoming summer season is not guaranteed. Recovery will not be quick, even if the war ends,” he said.

Tourism revenues were estimated at between $4 billion and $4.5 billion annually, making them a major source of foreign currency.

Exports are also expected to decline by around 10% due to damage to the agricultural sector in the south and Bekaa, as well as higher industrial production costs driven by rising oil prices.

Dollar inflows shrink, risks expand

Ajaka said remittances now represent the last line of resilience for many Lebanese families, but this pillar is weakening with the current decline.

He warned that the most serious consequence is a shortage of dollars in the market, raising questions about Lebanon’s ability to finance imports of fuel, food, and medicine.

A temporary solution could involve the central bank financing imports from its foreign currency reserves, he said, but this would amount to crisis management, with repercussions worsening the longer it continues.

He added that pressures are not limited to economic factors, but also include measures that restrict dollar inflows, further reducing liquidity in the market.

Business

Dollar Jumps as Trump Pledges More Iran Strikes

FILE PHOTO: US dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken March 24, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: US dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken March 24, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
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Dollar Jumps as Trump Pledges More Iran Strikes

FILE PHOTO: US dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken March 24, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: US dollar banknotes are seen in this illustration taken March 24, 2026. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo

The dollar rose sharply on Thursday after US President Donald Trump's address on Iran shattered hopes for a swift end to the conflict, sending investors towards safe-haven assets as oil prices jumped and stocks tumbled.

In a televised speech, Trump vowed more aggressive strikes on Iran in the next two to three weeks, offering no concrete timeline to open the Strait of Hormuz or end a war that has rattled investors and roiled markets, Reuters reported.

Iran's military responded with a warning for the United States and Israel of "more crushing, broader and more destructive" attacks in store.

Investors were quick to sell riskier assets such as stocks and buy the US dollar, pushing the yen, euro and sterling lower.

The dollar index, which measures the greenback against a basket of currencies, climbed 0.68% to 100.24 as the safe-haven trade came back on, putting it on track for its best day since March 18.

Thursday's advance wiped out most of the greenback's declines from the past two days amid earlier optimism about de-escalating the Iran war, putting it on track for another winning week.

Stocks slid and oil prices surged, with Brent crude futures rising almost 8% to $109.10 per barrel, after Trump's address sparked fresh concerns about sustained disruption.

"Trump's comments failed to reassure markets ... markets are starting to realize that the war will probably escalate further from here before de-escalating," said Carol Kong, a currency strategist at Commonwealth Bank of Australia.

"The dollar can definitely increase further from here against all the major currencies" as markets wake up to the fact that the global economy will slow down materially, she added.

Non-dollar currencies extended their falls as oil prices climbed in European trading.

The euro fell 0.66% to $1.1513 and sterling slid 0.88% to $1.319, both giving up some recent gains.

The risk-sensitive Australian dollar, commonly seen as a barometer of global growth expectations, fell 0.95% to $0.6863.

The Japanese yen traded 0.6% weaker at 159.72 per dollar , nearing the psychologically important 160 level that is viewed as the line in the sand for intervention by Japanese authorities.

Trump's comments also sent US Treasury yields higher on growing fears that inflation from higher oil prices would close the door to rate cuts.

That sets the stage for Friday's US non-farm payrolls report. The market is looking for a 60,000 rise in jobs for March, according to the median estimate of economists polled by Reuters.

"Another miss could rattle the markets and crank the volume up on the chorus warning about stagflation," said Kyle Rodda, senior financial market analyst at Capital.com.

"The markets could be extra choppy going into the Easter long weekend."