Saudi-British Cooperation in Climate Protection, Space Economy

Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom discuss cooperation in space economy. Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom discuss cooperation in space economy. Asharq Al-Awsat
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Saudi-British Cooperation in Climate Protection, Space Economy

Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom discuss cooperation in space economy. Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom discuss cooperation in space economy. Asharq Al-Awsat

Talks between Saudi and British officials over opportunities for international cooperation and partnership in the fields of climate protection, space economies and human cadres’ development have concluded in London.

The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Space Authority, Eng. Abdullah Amer Al-Swaha, met on Friday with Kwasi Kwarteng, the Secretary of State at the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, as part of a visit to the United Kingdom to enhance cooperation between the two countries in the field of space economy.

During the meeting, which was attended by the President-designate of the Saudi Space Authority, Dr. Muhammad Al-Tamimi, Saudi and UK officials emphasized the importance of encouraging the participation of the private sector in the field of space economy, promoting investment and developing human capabilities.

The visit comes within the framework of the Saudi Space Authority’s endeavor to build effective international partnerships in order to promote its role and support its efforts to achieve its strategic objectives for the Saudi space sector, which represents a national priority, and to contribute to the Kingdom’s transformation towards an economy based on innovation.

The Kingdom wants the space economy to become a major contributor to the achievement of Vision 2030.

In a qualitative step, Saudi Arabia announced in July the launch of the first Saudi program for external scholarship, which provides quality educational opportunities for Saudi students to enroll in specializations related to space sciences in the most prominent 30 universities around the world, as part of the comprehensive development plans for the space sector in the Kingdom.



Ma’aden CEO to Asharq Al-Awsat: 820,000 Meters of Exploration Wells Drilled in Saudi Arabia

Ma’aden CEO Robert Wilt. (Future Investment Initiative)
Ma’aden CEO Robert Wilt. (Future Investment Initiative)
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Ma’aden CEO to Asharq Al-Awsat: 820,000 Meters of Exploration Wells Drilled in Saudi Arabia

Ma’aden CEO Robert Wilt. (Future Investment Initiative)
Ma’aden CEO Robert Wilt. (Future Investment Initiative)

The Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) has undertaken the largest exploration program in a single region worldwide as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to achieve the goals of Vision 2030, diversify its economic base, and position mining as the third pillar of the national industry.

The company has drilled over 820,000 meters of exploration wells in the past two years, surpassing similar efforts in other countries, Ma’aden CEO Robert Wilt told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Wilt revealed that this program has already yielded a potential gold discovery spanning 100 kilometers south of the Mansourah and Massarah mines, located 460 kilometers east of Jeddah.

The CEO emphasized Ma’aden’s role in leading the development of the mining sector as the third pillar of Saudi Arabia’s economy, harnessing mineral resources estimated at $2.5 trillion.

He highlighted the company’s ambitions to unlock the Kingdom’s potential in strategic minerals, such as gold and copper, which are vital for manufacturing industries and the global energy transition.

To sustain the company’s strategies, Wilt stressed the importance of supporting and developing the next generation of Saudi talent. Ma’aden is committed to creating an attractive industry for young professionals and investing in skills and technology to enable its workforce to build a new era for mining in the Kingdom.

Ma’aden currently operates more than 17 mines and exploration sites across Saudi Arabia, transforming mineral wealth into added value for the national economy. The company exports its products to over 30 countries worldwide.

Additionally, Ma’aden has invested in the necessary infrastructure for mining and processing operations. This includes constructing modern mines, advanced processing plants, and world-class export ports.

The company leverages cutting-edge technology to boost productivity, improve product quality, and reduce costs. It also utilizes advanced systems for analyzing geological data to identify promising mineral sites, integrating this technology throughout its operations from exploration to marketing.