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
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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.



Oil Holds its Ground as Chinese Demand Concerns Weigh

FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
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Oil Holds its Ground as Chinese Demand Concerns Weigh

FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)
FILE - Pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground in North Dakota, May 19, 2021. (AP Photo/Matthew Brown, File)

Oil held its ground on Monday as downward pressure from concern about demand in top importer China offset support from strong demand elsewhere, OPEC+ supply restraint and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

The reaction of the wider markets to the attempted assassination of former US President Donald Trump was in focus. The US dollar steadied after gains earlier in the session that had weighed on oil, Reuters reported.

Brent crude futures were up 3 cents at $85.06 a barrel by 1326 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate crude gained 7 cents to $82.28.

"Chinese data including refinery runs and crude imports are not supportive," said UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo. "But demand growth elsewhere is still healthy."

Crude fell last week after four weeks of gains as hopes of strong US summer demand were countered by concern over demand in China.

Chinese data on Monday added to that concern. The world's second-largest economy grew by 4.7% in the April to June quarter, official figures showed, the slowest growth since the first quarter of 2023.

On Friday separate figures showed China's crude oil imports fell 2.3% in the first half of this year.

However, the volatile situation in the Middle East continues to provide a geopolitical premium for oil, though ample spare capacity held by Saudi Arabia and other members of OPEC has limited price support, analysts say.

"Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, including volatile Israel-Hamas clashes and stalled peace talks, could remain a driving factor for oil prices due to concerns over regional stability," said George Pavel, general manager at Capex.com Middle East.

The oil market is also broadly underpinned by supply cuts from the OPEC+ group of producers. Iraq's oil ministry said at the weekend that it will compensate for overproduction since the beginning of 2024.

Market sentiment was supported by a US inflation report for June that came in below expectations, raising hopes for an interest rate reduction, though challenges persisted as China’s crude imports in June declined, highlighting ongoing market difficulties, Pavel added.

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is due to speak later in the day, and is likely to be asked for his reaction to last week's subdued inflation reading.

Markets are pricing in a 96% chance the Fed will cut rates in September, up from 72% a week earlier.