Dear Readers,

The Future Minerals Forum (FMF) held its first edition in January 2022 in Riyadh aiming to serve as a global forum for mining leaders in the context of the energy transition. Despite being a new event, it was far from modest, even compared to other well-established gatherings in the Americas, Africa or Australia its scale and the presence of top authorities and executives suggest it is already shaping the annual agenda of mining-related conversations worldwide.

The FMF is not an isolated initiative for Saudi Arabia; it is closely linked to the country’s bigger transformation plan. Indeed, a central theme of this publication is Vision 2030 and how it has shaped the mining sector. Launched in 2016, this blueprint drastically redefined Saudi Arabia’s reality and economic diversification efforts. It is a framework where mining has become a key catalyst for achieving the country’s ambitious goals, as it is poised to become the Kingdom’s third economic pillar.

One of the key differentiators of Saudi Arabia’s mining industry is the government’s strong commitment to developing the sector. Reforms already in place and those still in progress, together with joint venture opportunities and licensing rounds for untapped districts with high mineral potential, are redefining the country’s positioning within the global mining industry at remarkable speed, as the country attracts major players with the best industry standards.

It is in this context that we are proud to present the inaugural Saudi Arabia Mining special edition, produced by Global Business Reports in strategic partnership with the Future Minerals Forum.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the authorities, interviewees and companies across the value chain for their valuable contributions, allowing us to deliver the most comprehensive analysis so far of the mining industry in Saudi Arabia and the wider region. We hope that you enjoy the read.