On the sidelines of the fifth edition of the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef honored the winning teams of the Global Mining Innovation Competition, Future Minerals Pioneers, following the conclusion of the in-person bootcamp.
1st-Place Winners Across 3 Tracks
In the Smart Technologies for Mining Operations and Services track, Team UnchartedAI from the Republic of India secured first place, receiving a prize of USD 150,000.
In the Resource Sustainability in Mining Operations track, first place was awarded to Team GeoVolt from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Team Omq, also from the Kingdom, claimed first place in the Safety and Security in Mining Operations track. Each first-place team received USD 150,000 in recognition of their innovative solutions that address sector challenges, enhance operational efficiency, and promote sustainability.
2nd-Place Award Recipients
Second-place honors were awarded to Team Groundbreak from Italy, Mexico, and Switzerland in the Smart Technologies track; Team NeoMining from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Russia in the Resource Sustainability track; and Team Ruwad Al-Salama from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the Safety and Security track. Each second-place team received a USD 60,000 prize.
Rigorous Evaluation Process
The winning teams were selected from 70 qualified finalists following final project presentations assessed by judging panels comprising 18 judges representing 16 local and international entities. The judges also brought expertise spanning mining, technology, investment, and innovation. Projects were evaluated against rigorous criteria, including innovation, impact, feasibility, and sustainability, ensuring the highest standards of governance and professionalism.
Strong Global Participation
The competition attracted wide international interest, with 1,812 applicants forming 371 teams from 57 countries. From these, 70 teams—comprising 356 participants—advanced to the in-person bootcamp held in Riyadh from January 8 to 10, 2026. Additionally, the bootcamp served as a key milestone, allowing teams to refine their solutions and enhance readiness for real-world implementation through an intensive, collaborative environment supported by leading experts and specialists.
Vision 2030
The Future Minerals Pioneers competition is organized by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources in collaboration with the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), under the umbrella of the Future Minerals Forum. Finally, the initiative aims to strengthen the mining innovation ecosystem, transform challenges into practical and high-impact solutions, enhance sector competitiveness, and support the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030—while reinforcing the Kingdom’s role as a global platform for innovation and dialogue on the future of mining and minerals.
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