KACST Launches Advanced Mineral Resources Knowledge Lab To Enhance Saudi Arabia's Mining Sector

Dr. Munir Eldesouki, President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), recently opened the Advanced Mineral Resources Knowledge Lab in collaboration with the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden). This initiative aims to boost geological innovation and support advanced exploration activities within Saudi Arabia. The inauguration was part of the 19th International Lithosphere Program Forum, which KACST organised alongside the United Nations-affiliated International Lithosphere Program (ILP), Saudi Aramco, and Maaden.

The forum attracted notable attendees, including Eng. Khalid Al-Mudaifer, Vice Minister for Mining Affairs at the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources; Dr. Saleh Al-Saleh, Aramco's Vice President for Transition Minerals; and Giuseppe Lo Grasso, Maaden's Vice President of Geoscience and Innovation. A distinguished group of Earth-science scholars and researchers from various countries also participated.

The newly established laboratory focuses on localising advanced geophysical modelling technologies to enhance mineral exploration efficiency. It aims to provide a more precise understanding of the Earth's interior while developing modern geophysical survey technologies that contribute significantly to the national mining sector.

During his speech at the forum, Eng. Khalid Al-Mudaifer highlighted the rapid increase in global demand for minerals. He noted that Saudi Arabia has placed geology at the heart of its mining strategy following a comprehensive geological survey covering over 700,000 square kilometres of the Arabian Shield. This move strengthens Saudi Arabia's position as a reliable partner in global mineral supply chains.

KACST Senior Vice President for Research and Development Dr. Talal Alsedairy emphasised that Saudi Arabia possesses one of the world's most crucial mineral regions, enhancing its role in supporting the mineral economy. He pointed out that the shift towards clean energy technologies is increasing mineral demand, making investment in lithosphere sciences vital for ensuring resource security.

Dr. Alsedairy further stated that Saudi Arabia is advancing decisively in this field through scientific and technological innovation led by KACST. This organisation serves as a national laboratory for innovation research in mining and as an incubator for the Mineral Innovation Acceleration Park.

Environmental Considerations

Aramco’s Dr. Al-Saleh stressed that gathering experts at this forum underscores the importance of developing advanced resource-exploration methods with environmental protection in mind. He highlighted science as a foundation for building a sustainable future and noted KACST's strategic partnership with Aramco in supporting geoscience.

Giuseppe Lo Grasso from Maaden praised their strategic cooperation with KACST in launching a laboratory focused on geophysical data processing and advanced inverse modelling. He described this partnership as pivotal in strengthening scientific research, understanding the deep structure of Saudi Arabia’s lithosphere, and enabling mineral exploration.

Forum Discussions

The forum featured panel discussions on various topics such as the lithosphere of the Arab region, the mineral system of the Arabian-Nubian Shield, and geological heritage's role in supporting sustainable tourism and economic development. These discussions aimed to share scientific challenges, review key findings, develop multidisciplinary methodologies, and encourage research across the Arab region.

The event also reviewed recent developments in lithosphere dynamics, artificial intelligence (AI), remote-sensing technologies, numerical modelling, and exploration technologies for hydrocarbon and mineral resources within Saudi Arabia.

With inputs from SPA