Global Mining Innovation Competition Winners Highlight Excellence At Future Minerals Forum Riyadh

The Future Minerals Pioneers competition announced its leading teams in Riyadh, where three first-place winners each received USD 150,000. Their projects focused on smart technologies, sustainability, and safety in mining, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s plans for the sector under Saudi Vision 2030.

Overall, six teams received financial awards in the Global Mining Innovation Competition, held alongside the fifth Future Minerals Forum. Projects were assessed on innovation, impact, feasibility, and sustainability, highlighting practical solutions that could be applied in real mining operations across different countries and environments.

In the Smart Technologies for Mining Operations and Services track, Team UnchartedAI from the Republic of India achieved first place and won USD 150,000. Their proposal targeted operational efficiency in mining, using advanced technologies to address sector challenges that affect productivity and long-term performance.

The Resource Sustainability in Mining Operations track was led by Team GeoVolt from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which secured first place and USD 150,000. Team Omq, also from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, topped the Safety and Security in Mining Operations track, receiving the same prize amount for its safety-focused solution.

Second-place recognition went to three additional teams. Team Groundbreak, with members from Italy, Mexico, and Switzerland, came second in the Smart Technologies track. Team NeoMining from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Russia ranked second in Resource Sustainability, while Team Ruwad Al-Salama from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia placed second in Safety and Security.

Each of the three second-place teams received USD 60,000. Together, the winning projects were noted for addressing mining sector challenges, supporting safer work environments, improving resource use, and contributing to more sustainable operations, which are central goals for many mining jurisdictions, including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Future Minerals Pioneers mining innovation competition scale

The Global Mining Innovation Competition attracted strong global interest, with 1,812 applicants forming 371 teams from 57 countries. From this group, 70 teams, with 356 participants in total, progressed to the in-person bootcamp stage in Riyadh, held from January 8 to 10, 2026.

Selection of the finalists and winners followed detailed judging procedures. Eighteen judges, representing 16 local and international organisations, assessed the projects. The panel brought expertise in mining, technology, investment, and innovation, applying rigorous criteria to ensure governance standards and professional review across all competition tracks.

Future Minerals Pioneers mining innovation competition context

The Future Minerals Pioneers competition is organised by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, in partnership with the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), under the wider Future Minerals Forum. The initiative supports the growth of a mining innovation ecosystem within Saudi Arabia and beyond.

During the ceremony, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Al-Khorayef honoured the winning teams following the conclusion of the bootcamp. The event was attended by Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Cabinet Member, and Climate Envoy Adel Al-Jubeir, and Vice Minister for Mining Affairs Eng. Khalid Almudaifer, alongside senior figures from NIDLP, Ma’aden, and ASAS.

The Riyadh bootcamp acted as a key stage for the 70 qualified teams, allowing participants to refine solutions before final evaluation. Supported by experts and specialists, teams worked in an intensive and collaborative setting, preparing concepts for real-world application and strengthening Saudi Arabia’s role as a platform for dialogue on the future of mining and minerals.

With inputs from SPA