Local, Int’l Consortium Wins Exploration License for West Saudi Arabia’s Umm Ad Damar

Maaden-Barrick consortium showed commitment to the Kingdom's goals in terms of accelerating exploration as well as commitment to community and environmental development (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Maaden-Barrick consortium showed commitment to the Kingdom's goals in terms of accelerating exploration as well as commitment to community and environmental development (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Local, Int’l Consortium Wins Exploration License for West Saudi Arabia’s Umm Ad Damar

Maaden-Barrick consortium showed commitment to the Kingdom's goals in terms of accelerating exploration as well as commitment to community and environmental development (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Maaden-Barrick consortium showed commitment to the Kingdom's goals in terms of accelerating exploration as well as commitment to community and environmental development (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced that a consortium consisting of Saudi Arabian Mining Co. (Maaden) and Barrick Gold T7 Ltd won Umm Al-Damar exploration license.

The site is 300 km northeast of Jeddah and 25 km northwest of Mahd Al Thahab city, on the Jabal Sayid mining belt.

This is the second bid offered by the ministry, as part of plans to offer some exploration licenses under the umbrella of the accelerated exploration initiative.

The ministry stated that more than 20 local and international mining companies competed for this exploration license, 13 of which were prequalified for bidding.

The ministry received two bids for the license, after fulfilling the prequalification criteria, most important of which are technical expertise, financial ability, and commitment to community and environmental management plans as well as related programs.

Maaden-Barrick consortium showed commitment to the Kingdom's goals in terms of accelerating exploration as well as commitment to community and environmental development.

According to the ministry, the bidding witnessed strong competition among international mining companies, and the consortium affirmed its commitment to meeting the evaluation criteria set by the ministry, in line with the mining investment system and the objectives of the mining project.

The consortium spent more than SAR 47 million on accelerating the exploration process, including drilling more than 54,000 meters, and carrying out an integrated geophysical and chemical survey on Umm Al-Damar site.

In addition, the consortium will allocate more than SAR 1 million for various community initiatives, such as the employment of people from nearby areas, as well as the development of the local technical college at Mahd al-Dahab, in addition to training graduates during the two-year exploration program.



Saudi Arabia Allocates 3 Mining Complexes in Eastern and Madinah Regions

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources building in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources building in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Saudi Arabia Allocates 3 Mining Complexes in Eastern and Madinah Regions

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources building in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources building in Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has designated three sites for mining complexes in the Eastern and Madinah regions. This initiative aims to enhance the investment environment in the mining sector, improve transparency, attract investors, and support mining licenses for building materials quarries.

According to ministry spokesperson Jarrah Al-Jarrah, developing these mining complexes will help regulate the building materials quarry sector, strengthen governance in mining, and increase investor confidence.

The initiative is expected to attract further investments while ensuring sustainability by focusing on environmental protection, occupational health and safety, and community participation in the sector’s growth under the Mining Investment Law.

Al-Jarrah added that the allocated sites include a location southeast of Madinah, covering 108.25 square kilometers, a site in the Eastern Province south of Khafji, spanning 4.84 square kilometers, and another site southwest of Khafji, covering 4.28 square kilometers.

By allocating these sites, the ministry aims to stimulate local economic development by creating job opportunities for residents in nearby areas, increasing local procurement, and fostering effective community engagement.

The initiative also emphasizes adherence to environmental regulations, ensuring responsible mining practices, and implementing rehabilitation and closure plans for mining sites.