The Minister of Industry discusses enhancing mining cooperation at the Riyadh conference
As part of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to solidify its position as a global mining hub, His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Mr. Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, held a series of high-level bilateral meetings with ministers and officials from three different continents on the sidelines of the fifth edition of the International Mining Conference in Riyadh. These diplomatic and economic initiatives underscore the Kingdom’s commitment to building strategic partnerships that will serve the future of energy and industry globally.
Strengthening Arab-African partnerships
Minister Al-Kharif began his meetings with a meeting with His Excellency Nour Al-Daem Taha, Minister of Minerals of the Republic of Sudan. The meeting focused on the deep fraternal relations between the two countries, particularly given their shared geological features, as both countries possess mineral-rich geological formations across the Red Sea (the Arabian and Nubian Shields). The two sides discussed ways to enhance cooperation in geological surveying and the exchange of technical expertise to maximize the utilization of untapped mineral resources.
In a related context, Al-Khuraiji met with His Excellency the Minister of Mines and Industry of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Engineer Atiam Tijani. During the meeting, they discussed mechanisms to advance joint cooperation, with a focus on developing mutual investments. Mauritania is one of the mineral-rich countries in West Africa, which opens up broad prospects for cooperation with the Kingdom, which is leading efforts to develop the mining sector in the region extending from Africa to Central and West Asia.
Expanding horizons towards Latin America
The discussions were not limited to the regional level, but extended to South America, where Minister Al-Kharif met with the Secretary of Mines of the Republic of Argentina, Dr. Luis Lucero. The meeting addressed vital issues concerning the future of global supply chains for critical minerals and the importance of strengthening international dialogue to address the challenges facing this vital sector. The two sides also reviewed promising investment opportunities in the extraction and processing of minerals, which aligns with global trends toward clean energy.
International Mining Conference: A Strategic Global Platform
These meetings are particularly significant as they fall under the umbrella of the fifth International Mining Conference, which successfully brought together more than 100 countries in Riyadh. This conference embodies the Kingdom's Vision 2030, which has established the mining sector as the third pillar of national industry, aiming to diversify the economy away from oil. Through this platform, the Kingdom seeks to lead the global dialogue on critical and strategic minerals, ensuring the sustainability of supply chains necessary for advanced industries and the energy transition, thereby enhancing its economic and geopolitical influence in this vital area.
