Saudi Arabia on Track to Become Regional Mining Sector Focal Point

Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid al-Mudeifer, Asharq Al-Awsat
Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid al-Mudeifer, Asharq Al-Awsat
TT

Saudi Arabia on Track to Become Regional Mining Sector Focal Point

Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid al-Mudeifer, Asharq Al-Awsat
Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid al-Mudeifer, Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi Arabia is now on the global mining map, one of the Kingdom’s officials revealed on Thursday, adding that the move matches the country’s plans to become a center for servicing the vital sector in nearby regions.

The Kingdom enjoys a significant geographic location and distinguished international relations worldwide, stressed Khalid al-Mudeifer, the Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources.

These attributes allow Saudi Arabia to become a focal point for regional administrations of international mining companies, consultancy services, studies, laboratories, mining financing, and exploration and drilling services.

From Africa to Central Asia, the Kingdom enjoys a unique geographic location and system for attracting investment in mining.

According to al-Mudeifer, Saudi Arabia has achieved a lot during the international mining conference it held this week.

Investors engaged with the symposium and had their traditional views of the Kingdom changed, noted the deputy.

Saudi Arabia has been moving forward with programs of its national plan for transformation, Vision 2030.

The conference proved to the world the extent to which the Kingdom has opened its doors to accommodate all investors in the field of mining and other fields, confirmed al-Mudeifer, adding that Riyadh has achieved a massive leap in infrastructure, economic openness, reforms, and stimulating legislation.

“The door is widely open for investors and the public and private sectors to invest in the Kingdom and build on the changes that have taken place in a safe environment with complete confidence,” he said.

“We have prepared the infrastructure for the advancement of the mining sector and are now starting to attract investments,” added al-Mudeifer.

“There are laboratories that are currently being established in Jeddah for an integrated service to the East African and Saudi regions, in light of agreements and partnerships that were launched on a large scale,” he revealed.

Al-Mudeifer also disclosed that Saudi Arabia had received extensive investment requests for its mining sector. Authorities are now working to accommodate those calls on a single platform.



Gold Drifts Higher as US Rate Cut Optimism Boosts Appeal

A jeweller shows a gold bar at his shop in downtown Kuwait City on May 20, 2024. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
A jeweller shows a gold bar at his shop in downtown Kuwait City on May 20, 2024. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
TT

Gold Drifts Higher as US Rate Cut Optimism Boosts Appeal

A jeweller shows a gold bar at his shop in downtown Kuwait City on May 20, 2024. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)
A jeweller shows a gold bar at his shop in downtown Kuwait City on May 20, 2024. (Photo by YASSER AL-ZAYYAT / AFP)

Gold prices nudged higher on Tuesday as comments from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell bolstered the case for a September rate cut, while investors awaited more US economic data for further monetary policy cues.

Spot gold rose 0.1% to $2,423.89 per ounce by 0140 GMT. On Monday, prices hit their highest level since May 20, when bullion scaled a record peak of $2,449.89.

US gold futures were flat at $2,429.90.

"Powell continued to lay the groundwork for upcoming policy easing. A rate cut in September is now fully priced in by markets, which may keep sentiments in gold prices well-supported in the lead-up," said IG market strategist Yeap Jun Ron, Reuters reported.

Powell said on Monday the three US inflation readings over the second quarter of this year "add somewhat to confidence" that the pace of price increases is returning to the Fed's target in a sustainable fashion, remarks that suggest a turn to interest rate cuts may not be far off.

When interest rates decrease, the allure of non-yielding bullion typically increases.

Investors were awaiting US retail sales data due at 1230 GMT on Tuesday and comments from Fed governors Christopher Waller and Adriana Kugler later this week for further direction.

A subdued retail sales report may underpin gold prices on dovish Fed bets, while a break to a fresh high will mark a continuation of gold's broader upward trend, which may leave the $2,600 level on watch next, Yeap said.

Elsewhere, India's four-week platinum imports from mid-June eclipsed 2023's total as bullion dealers exploited a loophole by registering alloys containing around 90% gold as platinum to avoid higher duties, government and industry officials told Reuters.

Among other metals, spot silver fell 0.9% to $30.72 per ounce and platinum eased 0.4% to $991.40, while palladium rose 0.2% to $951.84.