Yes, there are gold mines in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with a total of seven mines. In 2020, their gold production reached 434,845 oz. These mines are Mahd adh-Dhahab, Sukhaybarat, Bulghah, al-Amar, as-Suq, and ad-Duwaihi, all of which are active and productive mines. Gold production and sales as bullion began at Bulghah Mine in 2002, and at ad-Duwaihi Mine in 2016. Prior to this, al-Amar Mine began production in 2009. However, ad-Duwaihi Mine in the Makkah al-Mukarramah Province is the largest gold producer, with a production volume of approximately 248,998 oz in 2020. In addition, the Mansourah-Massarah project is one of the most important new projects. Initial production operations began in the fourth quarter of 2022. It is the largest gold mine in the Kingdom, consisting of two separate mines at Mansourah and Massarah for gold ore production. The project's production capacity reaches 250,000 oz annually.
However, the first mining operations in the Kingdom were at the Mahd adh-Dhahab Mine, where mining activities began in 1939, and modern production at the mine started in 1988. Subsequently, other mining operations commenced at the gold mine in Dhalm, which began in 1950.
The importance of gold is linked to its association with the International Monetary Unit and global trade. The Kingdom has a large underground reserve of gold, estimated at around 323.7 t.
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