Saudi Arabia to Become Global Hydrogen Supplier, Hub for Green Minerals

Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid al-Mudaifer during the 9th session of Saudi-South African Joint Committee in Pretoria (SPA)
Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid al-Mudaifer during the 9th session of Saudi-South African Joint Committee in Pretoria (SPA)
TT
20

Saudi Arabia to Become Global Hydrogen Supplier, Hub for Green Minerals

Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid al-Mudaifer during the 9th session of Saudi-South African Joint Committee in Pretoria (SPA)
Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid al-Mudaifer during the 9th session of Saudi-South African Joint Committee in Pretoria (SPA)

Saudi Arabia is on its way to becoming a global supplier of hydrogen and a hub for green minerals and highly competitive manufacturing.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid al-Mudaifer revealed Saudi Arabia is boosting the development of mineral industries in the region by attracting investment, spreading digital and advanced technologies, and applying high standards on sustainability performance.

During a roundtable meeting held on the sidelines of the 9th session of the Saudi-South African Joint Committee in Pretoria, Mudaifer pointed out that Saudi Arabia's experience in the mining sector is relatively new compared to South Africa's long history in extracting minerals and its rich expertise in this field.

The deputy minister stressed that the Kingdom has excellent potential in oil and petrochemicals, which would provide opportunities for exchanging expertise and strengthening cooperation between the two countries.

He emphasized the promising fields of cooperation not only in exploration, technology, and operations but in other areas such as negotiations, administrating relations with major global companies for commerce, trade, and value development in products and businesses related to the production of minerals.

He stated that Saudi Arabia's geographical location is a strategic gateway where the East meets the West, allowing European and Asian industries access.

The Saudi official said South Africa is the gateway to the southern African continent, linking the two Americas and the Indian and Pacific Oceans.

He indicated that the required minerals would be unprecedented over the coming 10, 20, and 30 years due to the transformation of energy and strategic industrial sectors, such as electric and military vehicles and outer space.

The Kingdom seeks to develop mega projects for refining and processing iron, steel, and green minerals in integration with the hydrogen factories established by the Saudi ACWA Power Company, one of the world's largest and most environmentally responsible companies.



Saudi Mineral Resources Minister, US Energy Secretary Discuss Strengthening Strategic Cooperation 

The Saudi and American delegations meet at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources on Sunday. (SPA)
The Saudi and American delegations meet at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources on Sunday. (SPA)
TT
20

Saudi Mineral Resources Minister, US Energy Secretary Discuss Strengthening Strategic Cooperation 

The Saudi and American delegations meet at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources on Sunday. (SPA)
The Saudi and American delegations meet at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources on Sunday. (SPA)

Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef held official talks on Sunday with US Secretary of Energy Chris Wright as part of his current visit to the Kingdom.

The talks at the ministry headquarters in Riyadh focused on strengthening the strategic relationship between Saudi Arabia and the US in the mining and minerals sector.

They explored ways to expand cooperation in the mining sector and emphasized the importance of minerals in the energy transition, advanced technology industries, and modern economies linked to clean energy, as well as their significance in the electric vehicle industry and its components.

The two sides discussed ways to boost economic cooperation and high-value investment opportunities in both countries and the enablers available to leverage these opportunities in support of deepening their longstanding partnership.

Alkhorayef invited the US energy secretary to attend the Future Minerals Forum, which will be held in Riyadh next year.

Wright later visited the King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in Dhahran. He was welcomed by Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, KFUPM President Muhammad Al-Saggaf, and senior university officials.

Wright was briefed on the university's academic and research specializations, as well as its efforts to foster innovation and develop human capital in the fields of energy, engineering, and science. He met with faculty members and students and learned about the university's initiatives to advance educational and research programs in line with the highest international standards.

He was introduced to KFUPM’s international collaboration and academic exchange programs, particularly those with leading US institutions, which are designed to foster knowledge sharing, encourage joint learning, and provide students with global exposure that enhances both their academic growth and career prospects.

This visit underscores KFUPM’s role as a leading academic and research institution in the energy sector and strengthens research and academic cooperation between Saudi Arabia and the US.