New Regulations of Mining Investment Law Come into Effect in Saudi Arabia

A view shows Maaden Aluminum in Ras Al Khair, Saudi Arabia November 23, 2016. (Reuters)
A view shows Maaden Aluminum in Ras Al Khair, Saudi Arabia November 23, 2016. (Reuters)
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New Regulations of Mining Investment Law Come into Effect in Saudi Arabia

A view shows Maaden Aluminum in Ras Al Khair, Saudi Arabia November 23, 2016. (Reuters)
A view shows Maaden Aluminum in Ras Al Khair, Saudi Arabia November 23, 2016. (Reuters)

The Saudi new mining investment law came into force on Friday and aims to attract foreign investors to the sector and boost the mineral industry in Saudi Arabia as part of Vision 2030.

Bandar Al-Khorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, said that the new regulations that were introduced to the law would have several positive effects that would benefit the investors and the investment environment in the long-term.

In remarks on Friday, the minister that the new regulations would ensure the sector governance, enhance transparency and investor confidence in the sector and achieve its sustainability.

He added that the regulations would cover minerals exports, investment stimulation in value chains and the development of controls to support licensed investors and enhance efficiency of licensing measures to become fully digital.

The law comes in line with the objectives of Vision 2030 to diversify non-oil economic resources and the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP).

Meanwhile, the Economic and Energy Committee of the Shura Council recently discussed the annual report of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, which included the mechanisms to encourage and stimulate the establishment of factories in cities and regions to support sustainability in the industrial sector and to address different challenges.

In a report issued by the National Center for Industrial Information, the ministry noted that up to October the number of factories throughout the Kingdom reached 9,563, with a capital amounting to 1.086 trillion riyals (USD 266 billion). The factories perform more than 24 industrial activities, leading with the non-metallic minerals sector.



Gold Gains as Dollar Slips on Trump Tariff Uncertainty

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
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Gold Gains as Dollar Slips on Trump Tariff Uncertainty

Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)
Gold bullion displayed in a store in the German city of Pforzheim (dpa)

Gold prices rose on Tuesday as the US dollar eased due to uncertainty around President-elect Donald Trump's tariff plans, with further support coming from top consumer China's central bank adding to its gold reserves for a second straight month.

Spot gold was up 0.5% at $2,648.75 per ounce, as of 1218 GMT. US gold futures also rose 0.5% to $2,660.20.

"The main factor is the softening of the US dollar over the last two sessions, which has provided some relief for the precious metal," said Ricardo Evangelista, senior analyst at ActivTrades.

The dollar index eased towards a one-week low versus major peers as traders considered whether President-elect Donald Trump's tariffs would be less aggressive than promised following a report in the Washington Post, Reuters reported.

Trump however denied the report, deepening uncertainty about future US trade policies.

A stronger dollar makes bullion more expensive for other currency holders.

Traders are setting their sights on Friday's US jobs report for Fed policy clues, along with job openings data due later in the day, ADP employment and the minutes from the Fed's December meeting on Wednesday.

Fed Governor Lisa Cook on Monday said that the Fed can be cautious about any further rate cuts given a solid economy and inflation proving stickier than previously expected.

Bullion is considered a hedge against inflation, but high rates reduce the non-yielding asset's appeal.

Meanwhile, China's gold reserves stood at 73.29 million fine troy ounces at the end of December as the central bank kept buying gold for a second straight month, official data showed.

"By re-entering the market in December, Beijing signaled that its gold acquisition program remains active—a development likely to lend continued support to the precious metal's price," Evangelista added.

Gold prices gained about 27% in 2024, mainly boosted by robust central bank purchases and Fed rate cuts.

Spot silver gained 0.8% to $30.19 per ounce, platinum added 1.2% to $944.39 and palladium rose 0.9% to $928.38.