Saudi Gazette report
RIYADH — Saudi Arabia recorded a 144 % enhance in new mining exploitation licenses throughout the first half of 2025 in comparison with the identical interval final yr, in line with an announcement issued Thursday by the Ministry of Trade and Mineral Assets.
The ministry stated it issued 22 exploitation and small-mine licenses within the six-month interval, up from simply 9 in H1 2024, representing a complete funding exceeding SR134 million ($35.7 million).
The ministry attributed the numerous development to reforms geared toward bettering the funding local weather within the mining sector, which is rising as a central pillar within the Kingdom’s financial diversification plans.
Ministry spokesperson Jarrah Aljarrah confirmed that 23 mining firms obtained licenses within the first half of 2025, together with 16 companies receiving their first-ever mining license.
The licensed areas span 47 sq. kilometers and are anticipated to supply 7.86 million tons yearly of assorted minerals together with salt, clay, silica sand, low-grade iron ore, feldspar, and gypsum.
As of June 2025, Saudi Arabia had 239 lively exploitation and small-mine licenses, together with 32 class A licenses for strategic minerals resembling gold, copper, phosphate, and bauxite.
The remaining 207 class B licenses cowl industrial minerals like silica sand, gypsum, limestone, salt, and clay.
The ministry reiterated its dedication to increasing the mining sector as a key driver of the Kingdom’s industrial future. It goals to unlock an estimated SR9.4 trillion ($2.5 trillion) in untapped mineral sources, positioning the sector as a 3rd pillar of the Saudi industrial financial system.