Industry Saudi Arabia open to joint mining ventures with China Saudi Arabia is open to joint investments with Chinese mining companies, mineral resources minister Bandar Alkhorayef has said. The kingdom is seeking collaborations in processing and producing lithium used in electric vehicle (EV) batteries, as well as processing and refining copper, the state-run Saudi Press Agency reported. During a meeting with senior executives of General […] September 8, 2024
Infrastructure UAE backs Jordan’s $2.3bn rail line for mining exports A new $2.3 billion railway project in Jordan, supported by the UAE, will help increase its mineral export capabilities. Construction tenders are slated to be issued in early 2026. Etihad Rail, the developer and operator of the UAE national railway network, and Jordan’s transport ministry have signed four agreements for the railway, which will connect […] September 5, 2024
Mining Saudi Arabia targets stake in Pakistan’s $6.5bn mining project Saudi Arabia plans to acquire a 15 percent stake in the Reko Diq mining project in Pakistan, according to a media report. The stake will be purchased through Manara Minerals, a joint venture between Saudi Arabian Mining Co (Maaden) and the sovereign Public Investment Fund (PIF), The Express Tribune, a Karachi-based news outlet, reported. The […] August 28, 2024
Mining Diamond weighing 1lb cheers Mubadala-backed financier The discovery in Botswana of a rough diamond weighing more than a pound, the second largest ever found, is likely to prove timely for Apex Group, the global financial services provider, which counts the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala among its key backers. The huge gem’s discovery was announced on Thursday by Lucara Diamond Corp, […] August 23, 2024
Industry Maaden profit up three-fold on higher commodity prices Maaden, Saudi Arabia’s largest miner, reported a three-fold surge in net profits supported by higher commodity prices and lower raw material costs. The second-quarter 2024 earnings rose to SAR1.02 billion ($260 million) from SAR351 million in the year-earlier period. In addition, an insurance claim of SAR270 million and a one-off severance charge of SAR192 million […] August 12, 2024
Analysis Mining Rare earth elements: a complex issue that’s vital to net zero Used in everything from car batteries and fridges to iPhones and elevators, rare earth elements are an ever-present – but rarely noticed – part of daily lives. They are also now central to the global energy transition, and their importance to Gulf states was highlighted this week by a $180 million investment by Qatar. The […] August 12, 2024
Finance Gold refineries suspended in UAE The UAE has temporarily suspended operations at 32 gold refineries in the country which were found to be in breach of anti-money laundering regulations. The suspension was backdated to begin on July 24 and runs until October 24, the emirate’s national news agency said. The refineries make up 5 percent of the gold sector in […] August 9, 2024
Mining Saudi Arabia seeks bidders for seven mining sites Saudi Arabia is seeking bidders for seven exploration sites as it accelerates the development of its $2.5 trillion untapped mineral resources. The ministry of industry and mineral resources has opened the sixth round of exploration licenses competition this month, offering the seven sites covering more than 1,000 sq km. The sites up for bidding include […] August 9, 2024
ANALYSIS Industry Made in Morocco – industrial giants just keep on investing Rabat's deals with manufacturers from the US, Europe and Asia provide a model of co-operation for the Arab world July 30, 2024
Mining Saudi Arabia opens bids for largest mineral exploration sites Saudi Arabia is inviting companies to bid for five new mineral exploration licences as it moves forward to unlock its vast mineral wealth. The government is seeking bids for three exploration licences at the Jabal Sayad mineralised belt, which covers almost 3,000 sq km. The belt is rich in copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver. […] July 22, 2024
Mining Mining licences granted for six sites in Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia has granted exploration rights to five local companies to mine for precious metals at six sites around the country, while a further round of licence bidding has been opened. The locations at Al-Halahilah, Jabal Qaran, Makman Hijab, Al-Hijra, Nimas and Al Miyah exploration sites cover a total area of around 1,000 square km […] June 28, 2024
Mining Saudi’s Almar Water explores lithium venture in Chile Almar Water Solutions, a water infrastructure developer and part of Saudi Arabian company Abdul Latif Jameel Energy, plans to partner with Chile’s state-backed Codelco in the Maricunga lithium mining project. The Spain-based company aims to leverage its technology to extract battery-metal lithium, Reuters reported, quoting CEO Carlos Cosin. Chile is the world’s second-largest lithium producer […] June 26, 2024
Analysis Industry Silver is riding high but the market remains volatile With a gain in its spot price of nearly one-third since the start of the year, silver is now 2024’s best-performing precious metal. It is a major industrial material with an important role in the green energy transition. Yet, while these factors are combining to give silver a moment, analysts are quick to warn of […] June 25, 2024
Mining Saudi Arabia targets Chile for lithium investments Saudi Arabia’s mining minister Bandar Alkhorayef will visit Chile next month to negotiate a deal to secure lithium to support the kingdom’s ambition to expand its electric vehicle (EV) sector, a news report said. Alkhorayef will meet with his counterpart in Santiago, Reuters reported, quoting a Chilean government statement. The report said the two officials will discuss […] June 18, 2024
Mining Maaden Q1 profit jumps twofold to $262m Higher sales volume and lower depreciation costs helped Saudi state-backed miner Maaden’s net profits rise more than twofold rise year on year for the first quarter of 2024. Net earnings reached SAR982 million ($262 million) in January to March, compared to SAR419 million a year earlier. Revenue fell 9 percent year on year to SAR7.2 […] May 14, 2024
Opinion Mining The Gulf has solid reasons to intervene in BHP’s bid for Anglo Anglo's board has rejected two offers. A 'white knight' could step in – and become a force in mining May 13, 2024
Industry Industrial output falls in Saudi Arabia after oil cuts Saudi Arabia’s industrial output index has fallen almost 9 percent over the past year, largely due to a policy of oil production cuts the government began in mid-2022. The industrial production index fell from around 114 points in March 2023 to 104 in March 2024, as mining and quarrying fell by 14 percent and manufacturing […] May 10, 2024
Mining Saudi industry minister tempts investors with funding incentives Saudi Arabia’s ministry of investments and mineral resources is prepared to finance up to 75 percent of industrial projects in the country, as the kingdom tries to boost its low foreign direct investment (FDI) numbers. Bandar Al-Khorayef, the minister of industry and mineral resourcespointed to well-developed infrastructure across 36 industrial cities, prefabricated factories ready to […] May 3, 2024
Mining Manara takes a $2.5bn stake in Brazilian mining giant Manara Minerals, a joint venture between Saudi Arabian Mining Co (Maaden) and the sovereign Public Investment Fund (PIF), has completed a $2.5 billion deal to acquire a stake in a subsidiary of Brazilian giant Vale. Maaden said in a filing to the Saudi Exchange that it has acquired 10 percent of Vale Base Metals Limited […] May 1, 2024
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
