Saudi Arabia Discusses Role of Mining in Social Development

Riyadh hosts Future Minerals Forum on January 11-13. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Riyadh hosts Future Minerals Forum on January 11-13. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Discusses Role of Mining in Social Development

Riyadh hosts Future Minerals Forum on January 11-13. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Riyadh hosts Future Minerals Forum on January 11-13. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced the first-ever Future Minerals Forum under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

The global event will occur from January 11 to 13 at Riyadh's King Abdulaziz International Conference Center.

It discusses the mining sector in the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa, features presentations on topics critical to the mining industry's future, and reviews an extensive repertoire of subjects, opportunities, and challenges confronting the world's mining industry.

The conference will be attended by over 1,000 decision-makers from more than 100 countries and 150-plus top global investors, and some 100 international speakers.

Saudi ministers and representatives of the regional and international mining industry and allied sectors will join the forum's leaders.

The first day of the conference will start with a Ministerial Mining Roundtable Special Session featuring presentations and discussions on topics critical to the mining industry's future.

The "Mining in a Day" workshop will be held in tandem with other seminars and panel discussions that will spotlight important issues, including the attraction of investments, the role of technology in mining, and the environment, social, and governance issues.

The General Forum will begin on January 12 with a plenary session and a keynote address by Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar al-Khorayef. The session on Reimagining Mining and Maximizing its Contribution to Society will commence the day's program schedule.

It will be followed by a Smart-Mining session, "Showcasing Technology & Innovation—Supporting Mining of the Future."

Two additional sessions – Highlighting Mining's Critical Role in a Low-Carbon Economy and Supporting the Region's Growth and Development and Country Briefings – will complement exhibition and networking opportunities.

The final day will highlight Saudi Arabia's role in a session entitled "Land of Opportunity – A Regional Powerhouse," along with sessions on "Global Investment Opportunities an Accessing Capital."

Deep-dive sessions, keynote fireside chats, and other animated inter-and intra-ministry discussions will follow.

The conference will be attended by Energy Minister Abdulaziz bin Salman, Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of Environment Abdulrahman al-Fadley, Minister of Investment Khalid al-Falih, and Governor of the Saudi Public Investment Fund Yassir al-Rumayyan.

It will also be attended by dozens of confirmed speakers from the mining industry, leaders from multilateral global organizations such as the World Bank, International Council on Mining and Metals, and World Gold Council.



Cyprus Says Egypt’s Infrastructure Helps Unlock Potential of Its Gas Reserves

 Officials are seen at Egypt’s international Energy Show (EGYPES 2025). (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Officials are seen at Egypt’s international Energy Show (EGYPES 2025). (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Cyprus Says Egypt’s Infrastructure Helps Unlock Potential of Its Gas Reserves

 Officials are seen at Egypt’s international Energy Show (EGYPES 2025). (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Officials are seen at Egypt’s international Energy Show (EGYPES 2025). (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Cypriot Energy Minister George Papanastasiou said Egypt's energy infrastructure helps Cyprus make the most of its gas reserves.

Speaking at Egypt’s international Energy Show (EGYPES 2025), Papanastasiou stressed that a successful energy transition should focus on energy security, affordable resources, and supporting technologies.

He also emphasized the importance of working with Egypt, given its competitive advantages in the sector.

Egypt and Cyprus signed two agreements on Monday, on the sidelines of EGYPES 2025, to begin developing Cyprus’ natural gas discoveries using Egypt’s infrastructure.

The agreements are part of Egypt’s Petroleum Ministry strategy to transform the country into a regional hub for natural gas trade, by receiving gas from Eastern Mediterranean discoveries, directing it to the local market, and re-exporting it to Europe.

Egyptian Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi emphasized Egypt’s role as a regional energy hub, thanks to its strong infrastructure in the petroleum and gas sectors.

He said the main goal of regional energy cooperation is to help countries make the most of their resources and infrastructure, with close partnerships between Egypt, Cyprus, and Europe for mutual benefit.

Egypt’s strategy focuses on using its location and advanced infrastructure to boost its role in renewable and green energy, as well as petrochemicals, Badawi explained.

He also highlighted plans to diversify energy sources, increase renewable energy, and explore green hydrogen, while responsibly producing oil and gas with minimal carbon emissions.

Greek Energy Minister Theodore Skylakakis discussed Greece's efforts to secure energy and develop electricity infrastructure, turning the country from an importer into an exporter of electricity for the first time.

Badawi signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Skilakakis on cooperation in carbon capture, storage, and utilization with the aim to reduce carbon emissions from the energy sector and support low-carbon economy.

The MoU, inked on the sidelines of EGYPES 2025, seeks to facilitate knowledge exchange between Egypt and Greece on the application of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies that capture the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide and store it safely underground, so that it does not contribute to climate change.

The scope of cooperation includes developing proposals for a regulatory framework for carbon capture, storage, and utilization activities, in accordance with environmental standards and regulations.