Riyadh | BETH – March 01, 2026

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has announced the launch of pre-qualification applications for exploration licenses across eight promising mining sites located in the Riyadh, Hail, and Asir regions, covering a total area of 1,878 square kilometers, as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to accelerate the exploration of its mineral wealth estimated at SAR 9.4 trillion.

Mineral-Rich Strategic Sites

The offered locations include mining zones containing key minerals that support industrial transformation, most notably:

Gold

Silver

Copper

Zinc

Iron

Among the أبرز sites:

Dhulaan Smar Al-Har (Jabal Aqab)
Estimated gold resources range between 59,800 and 220,000 ounces.

Jabal Idsas
One of the largest high-grade iron ore prospects within the Arabian Shield, with reserves ranging between 1.3 and 6.7 million tons, with iron concentration reaching 65%.

Ashab Al-Dhiab (188.94 km²)
Potential gold resources estimated between 9,100 and 140,000 ounces.

Jabal Mukhait
Gold mineralization associated with quartz veins, with surface samples reaching 17 grams per ton.

Jabal Maniyah
Promising indications of gold, tin, and tungsten mineralization.

Al-Khashimiyah
High silver mineralization reaching 133 grams per ton, in addition to lead and zinc occurrences.

Wadi Khiyam
Orogenic gold deposits with newly discovered veins supporting future exploration potential.

Al-Khashabi
Copper and zinc indicators identified following advanced geological and geophysical surveys.

Outcome of the Accelerated Exploration Program

These sites represent key outputs of the Accelerated Exploration Initiative, implemented in cooperation with the Saudi Geological Survey, which included:

Collection of 6,447 surface samples

Execution of 8,825 exploration trenches

Analysis of 26,229 geological samples

Completion of 22,767 meters of drilling, including diamond drilling

The initiative aims to reduce investment risk and enhance site readiness for global competition.

Transparent Digital Competition Mechanism

The Ministry stated that the licensing competition will proceed through three main stages:

Pre-Qualification Phase (until April 30, 2026)
Verification of technical capability and financial strength.

Site Selection Phase
Conducted through a geographic grid-based digital platform until mid-May.

Multi-Round Public Auction
Companies will compete based on exploration commitments and investment spending until mid-June, with winners to be announced in early July 2026.

Investors may apply through the Taadeen digital platform.

BETH Commentary | Mining Enters Acceleration Phase

Today’s announcement represents more than the issuance of exploration licenses; it signals Saudi Arabia’s transition from geological potential to global investment competition in the mining sector.

The Kingdom is actively working to:

Reduce exploration risks for investors,

Digitize licensing and competition procedures,

Position mineral resources as a third pillar of the national economy alongside oil and industry.

Amid the global shift toward strategic minerals essential for clean energy and advanced technologies, Saudi mining is emerging as a key driver of Vision 2030, reshaping global supply chains.

BETH:
Mining in Saudi Arabia is no longer a search beneath the الأرض… but an investment in the post-oil economy.