144% Rise in Saudi Mining Licenses Signals Investor Confidence
Saudi Arabia recorded a 144% increase in new mining exploration licenses during the first half of 2025, issuing 22 licenses compared to just nine in the same period last year. This sharp rise underscores the Kingdom’s growing appeal as a mining hub and reflects the government’s push to diversify its economy under Vision 2030.
SR134 Million in Investments Across 47 sq. km
The newly issued licenses attracted over SR134 million ($35.7 million) in investments, covering an area of 47 square kilometers. These projects are expected to yield 7.86 million tonnes of mineral ores annually, including salt, clay, silica sand, feldspar, gypsum, and low-grade iron ore. The scale of investment demonstrates both domestic and international confidence in the Kingdom’s mining reforms.
23 Companies Enter Market, 16 as First-Time Investors
A total of 23 mining companies secured licenses in H1 2025, with 16 firms entering the Saudi mining sector for the first time. This influx of new players highlights the effectiveness of regulatory reforms designed to streamline licensing, reduce barriers to entry, and attract global expertise.
239 Active Licenses: Strategic and Industrial Minerals
Saudi Arabia now holds 239 active mining and small-mine exploitation licenses. These include:
- 32 Category A licenses for strategic minerals such as gold, copper, phosphate, and bauxite.
- 207 Category B licenses for industrial minerals like silica sand, gypsum, limestone, salt, and clay.
This balance between strategic and industrial minerals reflects the Kingdom’s dual focus: securing critical resources for industrial growth while also supporting construction and manufacturing sectors.
Vision 2030: Mining’s Role in Expanding GDP Contribution
Mining is positioned as a central pillar of Vision 2030, with the government aiming to raise the sector’s GDP contribution from $17 billion to $75 billion by 2035. With mineral wealth estimated at SR9.4 trillion ($2.5 trillion), the Kingdom is accelerating exploration and development to unlock this vast potential.
$32 Billion Already Attracted Toward $100 Billion Goal
Reforms have already borne fruit, with $32 billion in mining investments secured across projects involving iron, phosphate, aluminum, and copper. This represents nearly one-third of the Kingdom’s $100 billion investment target by 2030. The momentum suggests that Saudi Arabia is well on track to meet, and potentially exceed, its long-term mining goals.
Exploration Spending Quadruples Since 2018
Mineral exploration spending has quadrupled since 2018, reaching $100 per sq. km. With an annual growth rate of 32%, Saudi Arabia far outpaces the global average of 6–8%. This surge in exploration spending reflects both government incentives and investor appetite for tapping into underexplored reserves.
Saudi Mining Licenses Surge as a Global Signal
The Saudi Mining Licenses surge is more than a domestic milestone—it signals to global markets that the Kingdom is serious about becoming a mining powerhouse. By combining regulatory reforms, infrastructure investment, and international partnerships, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a competitive player in the global minerals market.
Also Read: Saudi Critical Minerals Exploration Sees 22x Growth
