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.



Saudi Arabia Aims to Develop New Plant to Localize Wind Energy

NEOM Green Hydrogen has recently announced the delivery of the first batch of turbines for the new plant (Asharq Al-Awsat)
NEOM Green Hydrogen has recently announced the delivery of the first batch of turbines for the new plant (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Aims to Develop New Plant to Localize Wind Energy

NEOM Green Hydrogen has recently announced the delivery of the first batch of turbines for the new plant (Asharq Al-Awsat)
NEOM Green Hydrogen has recently announced the delivery of the first batch of turbines for the new plant (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) and China’s second-largest wind turbine manufacturer are close to a deal to develop a new plant in the Kingdom to help boost renewable power production by building a wind turbine manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia as part of the country’s efforts to localize supply chains.

The Saudi sovereign wealth fund and Vision Industries, a privately owned renewable-energy manufacturing company, could sign an agreement with Envision Energy Co., as soon as this week, Bloomberg said on Monday, quoting people familiar with the matter.

The deal would involve the PIF, which controls nearly $1 trillion of assets, and the two other partners building a wind turbine manufacturing plant in Saudi Arabia as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to localize supply chains, according to the people.

Envision is expected to be the majority investor in the partnership, they said, declining to be named discussing confidential information.

Envision already has significant business in Saudi Arabia, which is investing billions of dollars in renewables to stop burning oil for power.

The Chinese firm supplies wind turbines for the almost $9 billion Neom Green Hydrogen Co., which will use 4 gigawatts of solar and wind power to create clean hydrogen.