Mining UAE and Kenya sign mining and technology deal The UAE and Kenya have signed an agreement to boost investment in the mining and technology sectors, as the Gulf state focuses on Africa to enhance its precious metals and minerals reserves. As part of the agreement, the UAE Ministry of Investment and the Republic of Kenya Ministry of Finance and National Treasury will work […] April 25, 2024
Analysis Renewable Energy Lithium’s highs and lows – and what they mean for the Gulf For one of the world’s most critical minerals, the past two years have been the best of times and the worst of times. First, lithium prices shot skywards, hitting around $80,000 per metric tonne in 2022 amid fears that global supply would not meet demand. Then, in just a year, the soft, silvery-white metal lost […] April 12, 2024
Opinion Industry Gulf giants need to take a lead role in the age of ‘Big Shovel’ There are challenges to overcome before the region can become a mining powerhouse April 8, 2024
Industry Oman advances plans for mega minerals complex State-backed Minerals Development Oman (MDO) has awarded a feasibility study contract for a new industrial minerals complex in Dhofar governorate. The company is working to secure the final investment decision to proceed with the Al Shuwaimiyah industrial minerals project, according to its 2023 annual report. MDO is also in discussions with potential investors to take […] April 8, 2024
Infrastructure PIF close to buying Pakistan copper mine stake Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is close to finalising a deal to buy a $1 billion stake in Pakistan’s Reko Diq copper-gold mine, in what would be a Saudi lifeline for the debt-ridden country, a Pakistani newspaper has reported. Barrick Gold, the Canadian-listed company that owns a 50 percent stake in the Reko Diq mine, […] April 5, 2024
Industry Saudi Arabia invites bids for six mining licences Local and international investors are being invited to bid for the latest round of mining licences in Saudi Arabia as the kingdom ramps up operations across its minerals sector. The six mining opportunities revealed by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources include gold, copper, zinc, lead and silver ore and cover a total area […] April 4, 2024
Finance Oman launches $5bn fund for major projects Oman Investment Authority plans to deploy about $1 billion per year over the next five years as part of a new fund launched on Wednesday that will primarily focus on large-scale projects in the sultanate. The OIA officially announced the launch of the Future Fund Oman with $5.2 billion of capital, 90 percent of which will […] March 27, 2024
Industry Abu Dhabi’s IRH completes Zambian copper mine deal Abu Dhabi’s International Resources Holdings (IRH) has completed its acquisition of Mopani Copper Mines in Zambia and is reported to be interested in acquiring more of the country’s minerals industry. IRH is part of International Holding Company, Abu Dhabi’s most valuable company. Previous reports said IRH would invest $1.1 billion through the deal in return […] March 22, 2024
Industry Abu Dhabi industrial sector attracts foreign investors The Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce has said that the number of industrial licences issued by the emirate last year increased by 51 percent. The total now stands at 363, excluding free zones. Statistics from Abu Dhabi Chamber also revealed that 46 foreign companies secured industrial licences in the emirate, with mining support services attracting […] March 21, 2024
Industry Demand for Saudi mining licences rises sharply Incentives and legislation are fuelling growth in Saudi Arabia’s mining industry as the government seeks to stimulate investment under Vision 2030. The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources said demand for Saudi mining licences had surged since a mining investment law came into force in 2021. The number of building material quarry licences jumped to […] March 20, 2024
Tourism Direct Shanghai flights reinforce Saudi air links scheme China Eastern Airlines is to launch direct flights to Riyadh as part of the Saudi Air Connectivity Program (ACP) and the ‘Air Silk Road’ initiative to improve trade and tourism links between the two countries. Commencing on April 8, 2024, the three weekly flights will operate directly from Shanghai Pudong Airport and Riyadh’s King Khalid […] March 12, 2024
Economy Jordan’s economic growth to slow on lower tourist arrivals Jordan’s economic growth will ease to 2.1 percent in 2024 from 2.6 percent in 2023, as tourism arrivals are likely to be lower than record-breaking levels seen last year, S&P Global Ratings said in a report. “Our GDP growth forecast reflects fiscal drag and an expected increase in precautionary savings amid rising regional tensions,” it […] March 11, 2024
Analysis Industry Uranium prices rise with demand for nuclear power Barakah in the UAE, Dabaa in Egypt, Bushehr in Iran and Akkuyu in Turkey. Nuclear energy is now seen by many countries as central to emissions reduction. It is little surprise then that demand for feedstock – mainly uranium – has been spiking. Prices for the mineral, which is critical to the production of nuclear power […] February 26, 2024
Industry Saudi’s Maaden profit drops 83% on high debt costs Saudi state-owned mining company Maaden reported an 83 percent year-on-year drop in net profit to SAR1.6 billion ($426 million) in 2023 as a result of higher borrowing costs and lower income from joint ventures. Revenue fell 27 percent year on year to over SAR29 billion ($7.7 billion) due to lower prices for all commodities except […] February 26, 2024
Banking & Finance Dubal Holding net yearly profit down by half Dubal Holding, the investment company owned by the Dubai government, has announced a 50 percent drop in net profit for 2023 compared to the previous year. Dubal Holding, which invests in the commodities, mining, power, energy and industrial sectors, recorded a net profit of AED 1.79 billion ($487 million) for 2023, down from the previous […] February 23, 2024
Analysis Manufacturing Saudi Arabia joins the dots from minerals to manufacturing Consider for a moment how many different steps there are between digging a lump of iron ore out of the ground in Mauritania and pressing the starter button on a new electric vehicle (EV) in Riyadh. The ore must be mined, concentrated, combined with other elements, put through a furnace, a casting machine, cold- or […] February 13, 2024
Analysis Industry Gulf steel has a keen edge on Chinese and Indian rivals While the Gulf is currently a minor player on the global steel-making stage, economic diversification and the energy transition may be about to change all that. As the world seeks to decarbonise, Gulf steel makers have a head start, already producing lower-carbon steel than global sector leaders China and India. The region’s ample supplies of […] February 7, 2024
Manufacturing PIF’s Alat to boost Saudi economy by $9.3bn Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has launched Alat, a company central to the kingdom’s plan to become a global hub for electronics and advanced industries. The new entity, wholly owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), will focus on manufacturing products that serve local and international markets within seven key strategic business units: advanced […] February 2, 2024
Manufacturing Saudi’s Maaden unit strikes deal with EV maker Lucid A subsidiary of the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden) has signed an agreement to supply aluminium sheets to US electric vehicle maker Lucid Motors. Maaden Rolling Company signed the deal with Lucid – which is 60.2 percent owned by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – during the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh. The deal will […] January 30, 2024
Industry UK owner ramps up output at Egypt’s largest gold mine London Stock Exchange-listed Centamin expects annual gold production of between 470,000 and 500,000 ounces in 2024 from its flagship Sukari gold mine in Egypt. The annual output stood at 450,000 ounces in 2023. The company, which is based in Jersey and listed on the London and Toronto stock exchanges, reported that total revenue reached $892 […] January 23, 2024
Opinion Sustainability Gulf industrial decarbonising needs ambition and urgency The UAE has published a pathway to carbon zero by 2050. It now needs support from policy January 17, 2024
Economy Turkey allocates $35.5bn for new projects in 2024 The Turkish government has earmarked 1.07 trillion lira ($35.53 billion) for 12,041 projects in its 2024 budget, according to the country’s official gazette. As part of the investment program, 318.96 billion lira has been allocated to 773 projects in the transportation and communication sector, Daily Sabah newspaper reported. In addition, education takes a share of […] January 17, 2024
