What Is the Entity Responsible for Mining in Saudi Arabia?

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources oversees mining activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It works to encourage investment in the mining sector, provide services and consultations to support this activity, and issue mining licenses and permits in accordance with applicable regulations and laws. This is implemented under the Mining Investment Law issued in 2020 and its executive regulations.

The Saudi Geological Survey is an integral part of the Kingdom's industry and mineral resources ecosystem. While the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources is the main entity for creating, maintaining, and facilitating access to geological data in the Kingdom, the Saudi Geological Survey is the primary entity responsible for operating the Geological Database Portal. This portal contains geophysical information and the national geological, geochemical, and geological databases of the Kingdom.

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources coordinates with the Saudi Geological Survey to identify mining reserve areas, develop and update the National Geological Database, and provide various maps, survey data, studies, and research required for mining investment.

The Saudi Geological Survey plays a role in conducting surveys, exploration, and prospecting for minerals and industrial rocks. It also prepares maps and reports and carries out geological and hydrological studies.

The Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) is dedicated to developing the Kingdom's mineral resources, with a primary focus on gold mining. Ma'aden operates ten gold mines: Ad-Duwayhi, Mahd Al-Dhahab, al-Sukhaybarat, Bulghah, al-Amar, as-Suq, Mansourah, Massarah, ar-Rjum - al-Wasamah, and ar-Rjum - Ghazalah.

The company is expanding its activities beyond gold mining, working on the development of phosphate and aluminum projects, as well as copper concentration operations. Additionally, since its inception, Ma'aden has collaborated with the government and local regulators to establish a regulatory framework for organizing and managing the mining industry in the Kingdom.