Exploration License Competitions Announced For Three Mineralized Belts Covering 13,000 Km² In Saudi Arabia

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has launched the 10th round of exploration license competitions in Saudi Arabia. This initiative covers three mineral-rich belts, spanning a total area of 13,000 km². These areas are abundant in strategic minerals such as gold, silver, copper, and zinc. This effort is part of the ministry's strategy to boost mineral exploration across the Kingdom, which holds an estimated value of SAR9.4 trillion.

The current exploration round includes five regions: Madinah, Makkah, Riyadh, Qassim, and Hail. It introduces new sites extending from previous rounds like Nabithah/Ad Duwayhi (Dahlat Shabeb) Belt. Notably, this belt features the Ad Duwayhi Mine with an annual gold production capacity of approximately 180,000 ounces.

The Sukhaybarat/Al-Safra Belt stands out for its rich deposits of gold, copper, silver, zinc, and nickel. The Saudi Geological Survey has conducted extensive exploration here over past decades. Key projects include the Sukhaybarat Mine with resources estimated at 729,000 ounces of gold and the Bulghah Mine producing over 50,000 ounces annually.

Another significant area is the Al-Nuqrah Belt known for its substantial gold deposits and Volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits. The technical data supporting these opportunities stem from both historical work and recent surveys by the Saudi Geological Survey SGS covering the Arabian Shield.

The ministry has ensured that all geological and technical data for these sites are accessible via the Taadeen digital platform. This includes previous license reports and survey data to aid investors in making informed decisions. The prequalification stage remains open until mid-December.

This year’s exploration license competitions are designed to be fully automated and transparent. The process involves three main phases: Prequalification requiring technical capability and financial solvency; site selection through an electronic competition platform; and a multi-round live auction planned for Q1 2026.

Enhancing Economic Growth

Providing comprehensive geological data through Taadeen ensures equal access for all competitors. This enhances transparency and efficiency in exploration processes while promoting increased spending on exploration activities. It also aims to enrich the national geological database with high-quality information.

The initiative is expected to create new job opportunities and support sustainable economic growth in line with global best practices. The Kingdom remains committed to developing its mining sector with a focus on environmental sustainability and social responsibility.

Significant Growth Since Launch

Since their inception in 2021, exploration licensing rounds have seen remarkable growth. From offering one site in Al-Khunayqiyah covering 353 km² initially to over 24,000 km² by Round Nine in 2024, this expansion highlights Saudi Arabia’s success in attracting leading global mining companies.

This surge led to a significant increase in private-sector exploration spending from SAR155 million in 2021 to SAR770 million in 2024—nearly sevenfold—totaling SAR1.05 billion. Strong government support underpins this growth through an attractive investment environment and reformed mining laws ranked among the best globally.

Supportive Measures for Exploration

The National Geological Database Platform provides access to geological data while incentives are offered through the Exploration Enablement Program. This program provides up to SAR7.5 million per eligible application to support exploration activities and related costs.

This comprehensive approach reflects Saudi Arabia's commitment to fostering a thriving mining sector by creating favourable conditions for investment while ensuring sustainable development practices are upheld throughout these initiatives.

With inputs from SPA