Riyadh | BETH
27 Rajab 1447 AH / January 16, 2026

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced the conclusion of the fifth edition of the International Mining Conference, held under the gracious patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud—may God protect him—at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh from January 13 to 15, 2026, with participation from more than 100 countries worldwide.

At the closing of the conference, the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince and Prime Minister—may God protect them—for the generous patronage and support extended by the Kingdom’s leadership. He affirmed that this support enabled the conference and the ministerial meeting to evolve into a highly credible global platform representing the international mining community, moving dialogue beyond the exchange of views to achieving tangible and measurable impact.

The minister noted that the strong momentum witnessed over the three days of the conference reflects a rising dynamism not only at the event level, but across the global mining ecosystem. He added that, in just five years, the conference has advanced at a record pace to become an inclusive platform for all stakeholders, laying the foundation for year-round collaborative work.

Al-Khorayef explained that the real transformation in the mining sector is closely linked to accelerating the adoption of mining technologies as a key driver of growth and a means to address challenges. He pointed out that the Kingdom has invested in developing a more enabling regulatory and investment environment by reviewing procedures and updating regulations in response to international investors’ needs, including the enhancement of licensing mechanisms and the launch of incentive programs to support exploration—aimed at creating an attractive market capable of drawing partners across the entire value chain.

He also commended the efforts and support of partners, sponsors, participants, and organizing teams, stressing that the achievements of this edition constitute a solid foundation to build upon, and that the next phase requires continued work in a spirit of partnership and innovation to further cement the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for the mining community—thereby advancing international cooperation and strengthening supply-chain resilience in support of global development and prosperity.

Record Figures and Strategic Agreements

In its closing statement, the ministry revealed that the fifth edition achieved record figures, with 21,500 attendees, including investment leaders, CEOs of major mining companies, and technical experts from across the world. More than 450 speakers participated in conference sessions, including ministers, ambassadors, heads of delegations, and specialists in mining and metals.

The conference also witnessed the signing of 132 agreements and memoranda of understanding with a total value of SAR 100 billion, covering key areas such as exploration and mining, financing, research and development, innovation, sustainability, value-added supply chains, and mining industries.

Key Themes and International Exhibition

Over two days, conference sessions addressed pivotal issues, including cooperation across mineral supply chains, infrastructure investments, untapped resources in Africa, West and Central Asia, and Latin America, as well as strategies for building resilient supply chains. Discussions also covered strengthening investment partnerships, the sector’s contribution to community development, exploring new mining frontiers, enabling decision-making through artificial intelligence technologies, and integrating local communities and economies into the value chain to achieve a sustainable mining future.

On the sidelines, the international exhibition featured 274 exhibitors, alongside 13 official national pavilions representing leading countries in the sector: Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Sweden, Austria, Brazil, Egypt, Morocco, Pakistan, Sudan, and Mauritania.

The exhibition was organized into four main zones: the Outdoor Exhibition for heavy machinery and equipment, the Technology Zone showcasing the latest innovations, the Indoor Exhibition for major global companies, and the Exploration Zone dedicated to junior exploration companies and their role in future discoveries.

The fifth edition received widespread acclaim from participants, who highlighted the Kingdom’s capabilities and assets positioning it as a global center for mineral processing. They emphasized the importance of holding the conference annually as a catalyst for sector development and accelerated exploration, particularly amid growing global demand for critical minerals required for renewable energy industries and advanced technologies.