Saudi Arabia is advancing one of the most far-reaching mining transformations in the Middle East, redefining itself from an oil-centric economy into a diversified global minerals hub. Under Vision 2030, the kingdom has designated mining as the “third pillar” of national development, following oil and petrochemicals. Officials estimate that more than US$1 trillion in untapped mineral wealth lies beneath Saudi territory — including copper, gold, zinc, phosphate, rare earth elements, and the battery metals essential for the world’s clean-energy transition.
What sets Saudi Arabia apart is the speed and scale of its strategy. The government has modernized its mining code, opened vast new areas for exploration, and invested heavily in the infrastructure needed to support large-scale resource development. New rail corridors, industrial zones, and logistics hubs are being built to move ore efficiently from remote desert regions to export terminals and processing centers. Public-private partnerships are encouraged, and Riyadh aims to attract international investors to help build a globally competitive downstream minerals sector.
Saudi Arabia is already a significant player in phosphate and fertilizers, but its future ambitions go much further. The kingdom seeks to expand aggressively into copper, gold, and other critical minerals required for electric vehicles, solar technologies, wind turbines, and energy-storage systems. By positioning itself as both a hydrocarbon producer and a supplier of the minerals at the heart of the energy transition, Saudi Arabia hopes to secure a leading role in the global shift toward cleaner industries.
However, rapid expansion brings complex challenges. Water scarcity in arid regions, environmental protection, and community engagement are emerging as crucial considerations. The long-term success of Saudi Arabia’s mining transformation will depend on maintaining strong ESG standards while pushing ahead with development.
For now, momentum is unmistakable. With large-scale exploration underway and global interest rising, Saudi Arabia is quickly establishing itself as the Middle East’s next major mining powerhouse — and a pivotal player in the future of critical minerals.
