Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef has held talks in the United States with US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright to discuss strengthening mining cooperation between the two countries and to review joint opportunities in the critical minerals sector.
During the meeting, the two officials stressed the importance of advancing cooperation to support critical mineral supply chains amid rising global demand within the framework of the Memorandum of Cooperation, signed in May between the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the US Department of Energy on the sidelines of the Saudi-US Investment Forum in Riyadh.
Alkhorayef also stressed the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing the investment environment in the mining sector by increasing its attractiveness and streamlining regulatory and legislative procedures.
These efforts are part of Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to explore and develop its mineral resources, aiming to maximize its economic diversification agenda.
Wright hailed the Kingdom’s prominent position and significant influence in the global mining sector. He underscored the importance of strengthening international cooperation, fostering public-private partnerships, and accelerating the adoption of advanced mining technologies to drive sustainable growth in the mining and minerals industry.
The meeting highlighted the Future Minerals Forum, hosted annually by the Kingdom, and its role as a leading global platform that brings together decision-makers, non-governmental organizations, major investors, mining technology companies, and research institutions to develop innovative solutions that address the challenges facing the mining and minerals sector and promote its long-term sustainability.
Alkhorayef extended an invitation to the US Energy Secretary to participate in the fifth edition of the Future Minerals Forum, scheduled to be held in Riyadh from January 13 to 15, 2026.
Alkhorayef also met with North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley to discuss ways to advance the strategic partnership between their two countries by promoting bilateral trade and enhancing the presence of Saudi non-oil exports in US markets.
Discussions centered on Saudi Arabia’s National Industrial Strategy and the Comprehensive Strategy for Mining and Metals Industries, both core pillars of the Kingdom’s economic transformation under Vision 2030.
They highlighted concrete pathways for collaboration, including expertise exchange programs, joint ventures in energy and infrastructure development, and strengthening the research and innovation ecosystem. The meeting detailed the state's robust capabilities in research and advanced manufacturing, with particular emphasis on Research Triangle Park.
It underscored the Kingdom’s competitive advantages, with significant opportunities in priority sectors such as automotive manufacturing, food processing, and pharmaceuticals.
Both sides also emphasized the importance of empowering the private sector to capitalize on joint investment opportunities in the industrial and mining sectors.
