Saudi Arabia has spotlighted the impressive transformation in its mining sector under Vision 2030 at the International Mining and Resources Conference and Expo (IMARC) in Sydney, Australia.
Taking place from October 21 – 23, 2025, IMARC bring together a cohort of decision-makers and the CEOs of global mining companies.
Mining Transformation
During IMARC 2025, the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources underscored the Kingdom’s position as an emerging global mining powerhouse, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
Moreover, the participation in IMARC 2025 highlighted the remarkable transformation in the Saudi mining sector, aimed at building an integrated and sustainable mining ecosystem based on innovation to attract investments and transform the Kingdom into a key hub for responsible mineral development.
Growth under Vision 2030
During his address at IMARC 2025, the Deputy Industry Minister for Mining Affairs, Khalid Al-Mudaifer, said: “Since Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has designated mining as the third pillar of its industrial economy, alongside energy and petrochemicals,” noting that the Kingdom’s mining transformation is rooted in stability, transparency, and investor trust.
He added that this strategy “has driven mining’s GDP contribution to double, with SAR 136 billion in 2024. It attracted more than SAR 170 billion in mineral industry investments and a fivefold increase in exploration spending since 2020.”
Furthermore, Al-Mudaifer said that exploration spending surpassed SAR 1.05 billion in 2024, with the number of active exploration companies climbing from six in 2020 to 226 in 2024, accounting for a 38-fold growth driven by strong investor participation.
Meanwhile, the mining sector has drawn the interest of prominent global mining companies and consortia, with foreign investors accounting for 66% of total license bidders compared to 34% of local investors across eight tender rounds, Al-Mudaifer noted.
Showcasing Mining Potential
On this occasion, the Saudi Deputy Minister invited mining leaders and international companies taking part in IMARC 2025 to the fifth edition of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF), set for January 13-15, 2026 in Riyadh.
He said that the event offer a platform for shaping the industry and promoting sustainable, responsible supply chains, led by the ambitious vision and openness of the Saudi mining sector.
The Saudi pavilion at IMARC’s accompanying exhibition showcased the Kingdom’s mining sector initiatives for development and the promising investment opportunities across all stages of the mineral value chain.
It also highlighted the great potential of the Arabian Shield region, which holds an abundance of untapped mineral resources.
Additionally, Al-Mudaifer held several high-level bilateral meetings with senior officials from the global mining sector, on the sidelines of IMARC, to explore international partnerships and joint opportunities in exploration, manufacturing and strategic minerals.
