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The True KSA · Mining & Minerals

Discover Saudi Arabia’s mineral future

From geological data and exploration to responsible production, processing and global trade, understand the Kingdom’s mining landscape and the pathways shaping its next industrial chapter.

Explore mineral opportunitiesAsk the KSA Concierge

The True KSA is an independent information platform. It does not represent Saudi ministries and does not provide legal, tax, investment or engineering advice. Last checked: 15 October 2026

Illustrative image: Saudi geologists in hard hats survey rugged mountains at sunset

Illustrative image

Sector snapshot

Vision 2030 describes mining as the third pillar of national industrial growth. The figures below are dated official estimates and statistics — each with its own scope. None of them is a proven reserve, a production total or an investment offer.

Photographs on this page are generated illustrations. They do not depict a specific mine, company, project, event or certified restoration site.

GASTAT’s GDP and industrial-production series group “mining and quarrying” with crude oil and natural gas, so we do not present them as non-oil mining performance. The Mineral Resources Statistics release is the closest non-oil source.

Not shown: a count of “45 minerals” (not found on an official page), the SAR 240 billion GDP target, and national mining job, production or export totals — none could be confirmed with scope and base year in a current official source.

Data updated: 15 October 2026 · Sources · Source:Saudi Vision 2030 — Strategy for the Mining Sector (opens in a new tab)· Live page· Last checked: 15 October 2026

Natural resources and geology

The Saudi Geological Survey describes two broad settings. The Arabian Shield in the west — exposed from southern Jordan to Yemen and formed roughly 850–550 million years ago — is a primary source of metallic minerals; gold has been mined there for more than 3,000 years. To the east and north, sedimentary cover rocks host most industrial minerals.

Start with official data

The National Geological Database, run by the SGS since December 2021, is designed to give access to survey, exploration and drilling data, mineral occurrences and geological maps at 1:1,000,000 to 1:250,000. We do not reproduce maps, licensed areas or deposit boundaries here — official maps and licensing status change.

Source:Saudi Geological Survey — The Precambrian rocks (Arabian Shield) (opens in a new tab)· Undated page· Last checked: 15 October 2026Source:Saudi Geological Survey — The Neoproterozoic and Phanerozoic cover rocks (opens in a new tab)· Undated page· Last checked: 15 October 2026
Open the National Geological Database (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative image: specialists inspect a mineralised outcropIllustrative image

Precious metals

Gold and silver are associated with the Arabian Shield. Both were named targets of the Ministry’s 10th exploration round (three belts, about 13,000 km²).

Investment pathways and major operators

Investors enter the sector in different ways, and each path carries different obligations. Requirements depend on the mineral, activity, site and investor type.

  • Direct exploration or mining

    Hold a licence through Ta’adeen — often via a competitive round — and carry the technical, financial and closure obligations.

  • Joint ventures and technical partnerships

    Combine capital, technology and local presence; check how each partner’s licence and registration obligations apply.

  • Mining services and equipment

    Supply operators without holding a mining licence; commercial, labour and tax registrations still apply.

  • Processing and downstream manufacturing

    Industrial and environmental permits usually matter more than a mining licence here.

  • Logistics, laboratories, maintenance and digital

    Specialist services across the lifecycle, from assay to fleet maintenance and data platforms.

Mining lifecycle and opportunity areas

A mine moves through many stages before and after production. Each stage draws on different capabilities. These are opportunity areas to research — not offers, tenders, incentives or guaranteed returns.

  1. 1Geological data
  2. 2Reconnaissance
  3. 3Exploration
  4. 4Feasibility
  5. 5Licensing and financing
  6. 6Mine development
  7. 7Extraction and processing
  8. 8Domestic supply or export
  9. 9Rehabilitation and closure
Lifecycle stage
Who it suits

12 of 12 opportunity areas

  • Geological and geospatial services

    Mapping, remote sensing, data interpretation and modelling.

    Geological dataReconnaissance & exploration

    Opportunity area — not an offer

  • Drilling and sampling

    Exploration drilling, core handling and field logistics.

    Reconnaissance & explorationFeasibility, licensing & development

    Opportunity area — not an offer

  • Laboratories and assay

    Assay, metallurgical test work and quality control.

    Reconnaissance & explorationExtraction & processing

    Opportunity area — not an offer

  • Exploration and mine investment

    Licence rounds, joint ventures and project development.

    Reconnaissance & explorationFeasibility, licensing & development

    Opportunity area — not an offer

  • Engineering, construction and power

    Mine and plant engineering, construction, power and water supply.

    Feasibility, licensing & development

    Opportunity area — not an offer

  • Mining equipment and safety systems

    Fleet, maintenance, protective equipment and digital safety tools.

    Feasibility, licensing & developmentExtraction & processing

    Opportunity area — not an offer

  • Processing and beneficiation

    Concentration, refining and value-adding steps close to the mine.

    Extraction & processing

    Opportunity area — not an offer

  • Metals and fertilizer downstream

    Manufacturing that uses domestic metals, phosphate and industrial minerals.

    Extraction & processingDomestic supply & export

    Opportunity area — not an offer

  • Water efficiency and environmental technology

    Water recycling, dust control, tailings management and monitoring.

    Extraction & processingRehabilitation & closure

    Opportunity area — not an offer

  • Logistics and export services

    Haulage, rail, port handling, storage and customs brokerage.

    Domestic supply & export

    Opportunity area — not an offer

  • Recycling and secondary materials

    Recovering metals and materials from scrap and process residues.

    Domestic supply & exportRehabilitation & closure

    Opportunity area — not an offer

  • Rehabilitation and closure services

    Closure planning, landform restoration and post-closure monitoring.

    Rehabilitation & closure

    Opportunity area — not an offer

How a potential investor begins due diligence

  1. 1

    Select the commodity, activity and project stage.

  2. 2

    Inspect official geological data in the National Geological Database.

  3. 3

    Check current Ta’adeen licensing rounds, licence types and rules.

  4. 4

    Assess your technical and financial capacity against the round or licence conditions.

  5. 5

    Verify land, access and environmental conditions for the site.

  6. 6

    Establish a Saudi entity and complete investment registration with MISA if required.

  7. 7

    Follow the competent authority’s current application sequence.

Licensing rounds — status on Ta’adeen

Major operators

Ma’aden (Saudi Arabian Mining Company)

A major Saudi mining operator and investor — not a regulator. Ma’aden describes its commitment to “responsibly harnessing the Kingdom’s mineral resources” and applies biodiversity standards from exploration to closure. Its current business-unit structure could not be confirmed on its website on 15 October 2026 — check its latest annual report.

Source:Ma’aden — Sustainability journey (opens in a new tab)· Live page· Last checked: 15 October 2026

Other licence winners, joint ventures and operators are not listed until a live Ministry or company source confirms their current status.

We do not state ownership percentages, tax holidays, royalty rates, incentives, financing or approval timelines — confirm each with the competent authority.

Licences and investment registration

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources administers mining policy and licences. Digital licence services run through Ta’adeen, operated by the Saudi Mining Services Company (ESNAD) with the Ministry as partner. This is an orientation, not a legal interpretation.

The legal framework

The Mining Investment Law was issued by Royal Decree M/140 dated 19/10/1441H (11 June 2020) and has since been amended. It names reconnaissance, exploration and exploitation licences; exploitation licences include mining, small-mine, building-materials quarry and general-purpose licences. The law, its Executive Regulation and a Mining Investor Guide are published on Ta’adeen.

Source:Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers — Mining Investment Law (Royal Decree M/140) (opens in a new tab)· 19/10/1441H (11 Jun 2020); amended· Last checked: 15 October 2026Source:Ta’adeen — Rules and regulations (law, executive regulation, investor guide) (opens in a new tab)· Documents dated 25 May 2025· Last checked: 15 October 2026

Licence types listed on Ta’adeen

  • Reconnaissance licence
  • Exploration licence
  • Mining licence
  • Small mining licence
  • Building materials licence
  • Surplus raw materials licence
  • General purposes licence

Ta’adeen services: issue, renew, transfer and amend licences, periodic reports, and the Mining Infrastructure Enablement Initiative.

Source:Ta’adeen — License types (opens in a new tab)· Live page· Last checked: 15 October 2026Source:Ta’adeen — Services (opens in a new tab)· Live page· Last checked: 15 October 2026

A licence pathway, step by step

  1. 1

    Define the project

    Confirm the mineral, activity and proposed project stage.

    Source:Saudi Geological Survey — National Geological Database — about (opens in a new tab)· Launched 8 Dec 2021· Last checked: 15 October 2026
  2. 2

    Read the current rules

    Review the Mining Investment Law, its Executive Regulation and Ministry guidance.

    Source:Ta’adeen — Rules and regulations (law, executive regulation, investor guide) (opens in a new tab)· Documents dated 25 May 2025· Last checked: 15 October 2026
  3. 3

    Check Ta’adeen

    Licence category, available areas, competition rounds, service requirements, fees and submission route.

    Source:Ta’adeen — License types (opens in a new tab)· Live page· Last checked: 15 October 2026
  4. 4

    Qualify the applicant

    Confirm the applicant entity, technical and financial qualifications, data-room and bid requirements, and licence obligations.

    Source:Ta’adeen — Mining bids and licensing rounds (opens in a new tab)· Updated 21 Dec 2025· Last checked: 15 October 2026
  5. 5

    Coordinate other approvals

    Environmental, site, infrastructure, safety, labour and downstream-plant approvals with the competent authorities.

    Source:National Center for Environmental Compliance — Environmental licensing (opens in a new tab)· Live page· Last checked: 15 October 2026
  6. 6

    Maintain the licence

    Reporting, fees, monitoring, closure and rehabilitation obligations for the life of the licence.

    Source:Ta’adeen — Services (opens in a new tab)· Live page· Last checked: 15 October 2026

Investment registration is a separate question

Registering an investment with MISA is not a mining licence. Under the Investment Law and its Implementing Regulations, foreign investors register their investment for activities open to investment; MISA’s 13th-edition Investor Guide (03–2026) describes this registration. The Ta’adeen Mining Investor Guide (dated January 2022) still refers to a MISA licence — check MISA’s current service before you apply. We found no MISA source naming mining as an excluded activity; confirm your activity code with MISA.

Source:Ministry of Investment (MISA) — Investment Law, Implementing Regulations and Investor Guide (opens in a new tab)· Updated 19 Sep 2026· Last checked: 15 October 2026Source:Ministry of Investment (MISA) — Investor Guide, 13th edition (PDF) (opens in a new tab)· 03–2026· Last checked: 15 October 2026

Government, research, training and industry directory

Who does what — as each body describes itself. Relevance does not mean a body can approve your project, and The True KSA has no partnership with any of them.

Type
Audience

16 of 16 institutions

Not listed until verified on an official site: the Higher Institute for Mining Resources Training, the Saudi Mining Association, the Riyadh Chamber mining committee and any MODON mining-city link.

Check before you invest

An orientation checklist, not legal advice. Approvals differ by activity, commodity, site, capacity and investor type — not every project needs every item. Confirm your sequence with the authorities and qualified advisers.

Mining Investment Law and licence conditions
What to check
Licence category, conditions and the current Executive Regulation.
When it may apply
Any reconnaissance, exploration or exploitation activity.
Source:Ta’adeen — Rules and regulations (law, executive regulation, investor guide) (opens in a new tab)· Documents dated 25 May 2025· Last checked: 15 October 2026
Investment registration
What to check
MISA registration and activity classification.
When it may apply
Foreign investors, where applicable.
Source:Ministry of Investment (MISA) — Investment Law, Implementing Regulations and Investor Guide (opens in a new tab)· Updated 19 Sep 2026· Last checked: 15 October 2026
Land, site and infrastructure
What to check
Mineral-zone status, access, site and infrastructure approvals.
When it may apply
Field work and any site development.
Source:Ta’adeen — Services (opens in a new tab)· Live page· Last checked: 15 October 2026
Environmental assessment and permits
What to check
Facility category and environmental impact assessment through NCEC; scope depends on current rules and project facts.
When it may apply
Exploration with field impact, mining and processing.
Source:National Center for Environmental Compliance — Environmental licensing (opens in a new tab)· Live page· Last checked: 15 October 2026
Water, waste, tailings and heritage
What to check
Water sourcing and discharge, waste and tailings, dust and emissions, biodiversity, cultural heritage and reclamation.
When it may apply
Operating sites and plants.
Source:National Center for Environmental Compliance — Environmental licensing (opens in a new tab)· Live page· Last checked: 15 October 2026
Feasibility, safety and workforce
What to check
Technical feasibility, safety management, emergency planning, training, employment and applicable Saudization rules.
When it may apply
Development and operation.
Source:Ta’adeen — Rules and regulations (law, executive regulation, investor guide) (opens in a new tab)· Documents dated 25 May 2025· Last checked: 15 October 2026
Industrial permits
What to check
Industrial licence for processing or manufacturing facilities.
When it may apply
Processing and downstream plants.
Source:NIDLP — Daleel — About Daleel (opens in a new tab)· Live page· Last checked: 15 October 2026
Tax, zakat, fees and royalties
What to check
Current schedules from the competent authority; financial reporting.
When it may apply
All licence holders and operating companies.
Source:ZATCA — Export terms and conditions (opens in a new tab)· Updated 3 Oct 2023· Last checked: 15 October 2026
Export approvals and customs
What to check
Mineral export conditions under the law and regulation, tariff classification, origin documents, declarations and transport.
When it may apply
Exporting minerals, ores or products.
Source:ZATCA — Export terms and conditions (opens in a new tab)· Updated 3 Oct 2023· Last checked: 15 October 2026
Rehabilitation and closure
What to check
Reclamation and closure plan and its financial guarantee.
When it may apply
Exploitation licences, for the life of the licence.
Source:Ta’adeen — Rules and regulations (law, executive regulation, investor guide) (opens in a new tab)· Documents dated 25 May 2025· Last checked: 15 October 2026

Public procurement and local-content rules apply only when the project or buyer makes them applicable.

Trade, processing and market access

Ores, concentrates, refined metals, fertilizers and manufactured mineral products are classified, regulated and counted differently. Choose a product class to see what to check.

Ores and concentrates

Raw or upgraded mineral material. The Mining Investment Law covers exporting minerals and ores for commercial purposes, and the Executive Regulation sets export conditions and a request procedure.

  • Mineral export conditions and request procedure (MIM / Ta’adeen)
  • Certificate of analysis
  • Transport document for mineral ores
Source:Ta’adeen — Rules and regulations (law, executive regulation, investor guide) (opens in a new tab)· Documents dated 25 May 2025· Last checked: 15 October 2026

For every shipment, check

  • HS code and exact product description
  • Whether the goods are prohibited or restricted for export
  • Required export approvals and the customs declaration
  • Commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading or manifest
  • Certificate of origin and any commodity-specific certificates
  • Destination tariff and rules of origin — an FTA benefit is never automatic

ZATCA notes that regulations ban or limit the export of several goods, including some natural resources, and asks exporters to check its list of restricted goods.

Source:ZATCA — Export terms and conditions (opens in a new tab)· Updated 3 Oct 2023· Last checked: 15 October 2026Source:Saudi Export Development Authority — Saudi Exports (opens in a new tab)· Live page· Last checked: 15 October 2026
Illustrative image: a freight train of ore wagons runs toward a port at sunriseIllustrative image

How to check a trade claim

Ask which product classification, period and source a figure uses. Not all non-oil exports are mining; aluminium and fertilizers are processed products; and “mining and quarrying” exports on some dashboards include crude oil. Compare like with like, and use GASTAT tables for the latest period.

Rail, port and industrial-city routes are not mapped here. Ras Al Khair City for Mining Industries (RCJY) is one verified industrial city for mining industries; confirm routes with the operator or government source.

Source:GASTAT — Mineral Resources Statistics 2024 (opens in a new tab)· 30 Nov 2025· Last checked: 15 October 2026Source:Royal Commission for Jubail and Yanbu — Industrial cities, including Ras Al Khair City for Mining Industries (opens in a new tab)· Live page· Last checked: 15 October 2026

Skills, local capability and responsible mining

Mining needs a wide range of skills — in the field, in plants and in offices. We do not publish national mining employment totals or nationalisation quotas; none were confirmed with a source and period.

Roles across the sector

  • Geologists
  • Mining engineers
  • Drillers
  • Surveyors
  • Data specialists
  • Metallurgists
  • Plant operators
  • Electrical maintenance
  • Mechanical maintenance
  • Environmental specialists
  • Safety professionals
  • Logistics
  • Finance
  • Local suppliers

University pathways

Saudi Mining Polytechnic programs

  • Surface Mining
  • Underground Mining
  • Mineral Exploration
  • Plant Operations
  • Mining Laboratory Technology
  • Cement Manufacturing Technology
  • Electrical Maintenance
  • Mechanical Maintenance
  • Industrial Security Operations
Source:Saudi Mining Polytechnic — Programs (opens in a new tab)· Live page· Last checked: 15 October 2026
Illustrative image: a Saudi engineer reviews a rehabilitated mine landscape with a water pond and vegetationIllustrative image

Responsible mining and mine closure

Sustainable mining starts before the first drill hole: environmental baseline data, water efficiency, monitoring, worker health and safety, waste and tailings controls, community considerations and progressive rehabilitation. The Mining Investment Law requires a plan for site reclamation and closure and a financial guarantee for it, and the Executive Regulation sets out how the plan is submitted and reviewed.

  • Environmental baseline and monitoring
  • Water efficiency and discharge control
  • Worker health and safety
  • Progressive rehabilitation and closure planning
Source:Ta’adeen — Rules and regulations (law, executive regulation, investor guide) (opens in a new tab)· Documents dated 25 May 2025· Last checked: 15 October 2026

Future Minerals Forum

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources organises the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh. The fifth edition took place on 13–15 January 2026 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center. The official site lists FMF 2027 for January 2027 but shows two different date ranges — confirm on the official site before planning travel.

Source:Future Minerals Forum — FAQ — 2026 edition (opens in a new tab)· Live page· Last checked: 15 October 2026Source:Future Minerals Forum — Official site — FMF 2027 (opens in a new tab)· Live page· Last checked: 15 October 2026
Visit the official forum site (opens in a new tab)
Illustrative image: delegates in conversation at a forum with the Riyadh skyline behindIllustrative image

Sources and verification

Every key figure, with its period, publisher, link and caveat. Checked 15 October 2026; next scheduled review 15 January 2027. Official sources only — secondary reports were used to locate issues, never as final evidence.

Sources and verification
Claim or metricFigureGeographyPeriodPublishedSourceCaveatNext review
Estimated mineral wealthSAR 9.375 trillionSaudi Arabia2024 estimateJan 2024Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources — Mineral wealth estimates up 90% to more than SAR 9 trillion (opens in a new tab)Estimate of wealth, not proven reserves.15 January 2027
Mineral endowment in US dollars≈US$2.5 trillionSaudi ArabiaSame estimate8 Jun 2026Saudi Press Agency — Unlocking the Shield (opens in a new tab)Rounded conversion of the SAR estimate.15 January 2027
Mineralisation sites5,651Saudi Arabia202430 Nov 2025GASTAT — Mineral Resources Statistics 2024 (opens in a new tab)Occurrences, not mineable deposits.15 January 2027
Mining licences2,401Saudi Arabia202430 Nov 2025GASTAT — Mineral Resources Statistics 2024 (opens in a new tab)All licence types; not active mines.15 January 2027
Aluminium exports≈283,000 tSaudi exports202430 Nov 2025GASTAT — Mineral Resources Statistics 2024 (opens in a new tab)Processed metal, not ore.15 January 2027
Phosphate fertilizer exports≈5.7 million tSaudi exports202430 Nov 2025GASTAT — Mineral Resources Statistics 2024 (opens in a new tab)Chemical product, not ore.15 January 2027
Lead exports / zinc imports≈59,000 t / ≈88,000 tSaudi trade202430 Nov 2025GASTAT — Mineral Resources Statistics 2024 (opens in a new tab)Trade flows, not production.15 January 2027
Sedimentary cover area≈1,320,000 km²Saudi ArabiaReferenceUndatedSaudi Geological Survey — The Neoproterozoic and Phanerozoic cover rocks (opens in a new tab)Geological extent only.15 January 2027
10th exploration round3 belts, ≈13,000 km²Arabian Shield beltsPrequalification to 15 Dec 2025UndatedMinistry of Industry and Mineral Resources — 10th exploration licensing round — three belts (opens in a new tab)Licence area, not discovered deposits.15 January 2027
Mining Investment LawRoyal Decree M/140Saudi ArabiaIn force, amended11 Jun 2020Bureau of Experts at the Council of Ministers — Mining Investment Law (Royal Decree M/140) (opens in a new tab)Read the current consolidated text.15 January 2027
Mining & quarrying industrial index+13.0% y/ySaudi ArabiaFebruary 20269 Apr 2026GASTAT — Industrial Production Index, February 2026 (opens in a new tab)Includes crude oil and gas — not non-oil mining.15 January 2027

Not shown: a count of “45 minerals” (not found on an official page), the SAR 240 billion GDP target, and national mining job, production or export totals — none could be confirmed with scope and base year in a current official source.

Photographs on this page are generated illustrations. They do not depict a specific mine, company, project, event or certified restoration site. The True KSA is an independent information platform. It does not represent Saudi ministries and does not provide legal, tax, investment or engineering advice.

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