Mining Licensing Round In Saudi Arabia Awards 172 Sites To 24 Companies And Consortia

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources named 24 winning companies and consortia in the ninth exploration licensing round, the largest such round in Saudi Arabia so far. These entities received 172 exploration licences across three mineral belts in Riyadh, Madinah, and Qassim, with committed spending exceeding SAR671 million during the first two years of their work programs.

The round covered more than 24,000 km2 and focused on mineralised belts known for gold and base metals. Licences were offered in the Ad-Duwaihi/Nabitah belt in Riyadh Region and the Nuqrah and Sukhaybirah/As-Safra gold belts in Madinah and Qassim. These areas contain strategic resources, including gold, copper, silver, zinc, and nickel.

The ministry reported that 26 qualified companies took part through an electronic bidding platform. The process followed several stages designed to ensure transparency, starting with prequalification, then online site selection, followed by a multi‑round public auction for locations that attracted more than one bidder.

Strong participation came from domestic and foreign investors, which the ministry viewed as an indication of growing confidence in Saudi Arabia’s mining framework. Officials highlighted the quality of the bids and the competitive offers, noting that interest reflected the attractiveness of the Kingdom’s mining investment climate at regional and global levels.

According to the ministry, the financial commitments in this ninth exploration licensing round will support activity in underexplored greenfield zones. The planned spending is expected to advance geological knowledge and support the wider goal of unlocking mineral resources estimated at SAR9.4 trillion, while also contributing to more resilient mineral supply chains.

The list of winners combines established international miners and local Saudi operators. Among the companies granted exploration sites are Desert EX Pty Ltd Company, Batin Alard for Gold Company, Royal Roads Arabia Company, Sierra Nevada Gold Inc. Company, Aurum Global Group, Brunswick Exploration Incorporated, EQLEED-INDOTAN Mining Company, and Helderberg Limited Company.

Several newly formed alliances also secured licences in the ninth exploration licensing round. These include the Demir Engineering Ltd, Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd, and Kaz United Mining LLC Consortium, as well as the KENZ Global Resources Ltd, and Manahil Al Sharq Mining and Al Rayyan Mining Resources Co. Consortium, along with multiple technology‑focused partnerships.

ninth exploration licensing round future plans and Vision 2030

Looking ahead, the ministry confirmed that licensing activities will continue with a 10th round covering 13,000 km2. This next phase will involve sites in Madinah, Makkah, Riyadh, Qassim, and Hail, including extensions of the same mineralised belts offered in the ninth round, giving investors continuity in geological settings and exploration themes.

The ministry also plans to outline additional exploration and investment opportunities for 2026 during the fifth Future Minerals Forum. The event is scheduled in Riyadh from January 13 to 15, 2026, and is expected to provide further details on upcoming projects and areas that may be opened for competitive bidding.

Officials stated that the ninth exploration licensing round and the planned follow‑up rounds are part of a wider national mining strategy. The approach seeks to maximise value from mineral resources, attract international capital, support job creation, deepen value‑chain integration, and reinforce Saudi Arabia’s role as a global mining centre aligned with Vision 2030 objectives.

With inputs from SPA