Saudi Arabia also approves more than 1,000 chemical permit applications
Saudi Arabia has approved more than 1,000
chemical permit applications and granted exploration rights for 172 mining
sites, marking what officials describe as the largest mining licensing round in
the Kingdom’s history.
According to the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources,
a total of 1,095 chemical clearance requests were processed in November. This
included 1,041 approvals for non-restricted chemicals and 54 for restricted
substances, covering 2,081 product classifications, the Saudi Press Agency
reported.
The initiative supports Saudi Arabia’s broader
push to accelerate the discovery and development of mineral resources estimated
to be worth more than SR9.4 trillion ($2.51 trillion). It also aligns with
Vision 2030 goals to position mining as the third pillar of the national
industrial sector.
Ministry spokesperson Jarrah Al-Jarrah said the
chemical clearance service allows industrial investors to secure import and
export permits for manufacturing-related chemicals through the “Sanaei” digital
platform. He noted that the system is designed to streamline procedures, ensure
timely approvals, and facilitate the smooth entry of materials through ports.
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Al-Jarrah added that automating and digitizing
chemical permit processes plays a vital role in boosting industrial
productivity and supporting manufacturers through efficient regulatory
services.
In a separate announcement, the ministry
revealed that 24 local and international companies and consortiums were awarded
exploration licenses across 172 mining sites. Of these, 76 sites were allocated
through competitive multi-round public auctions.
The awarded sites are spread across three
major mineral belts in the Riyadh, Madinah, and Qassim regions. Committed
exploration investments are expected to exceed SR671 million within the first
two years of project execution.
Officials described the licensing round as the
largest mining tender ever conducted in Saudi Arabia, covering more than 24,000
square kilometers in areas rich in strategic minerals such as gold, copper,
silver, zinc, and nickel.
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A total of 26 qualified companies participated
through an electronic bidding platform, following a transparent process that
began with prequalification and concluded with competitive auctions.
The ministry said the new licenses aim to
unlock untapped exploration areas, enhance the use of the Kingdom’s mineral
resources, and strengthen global supply chains.
Looking ahead, further exploration license
tenders are planned, covering an additional 13,000 square kilometers across the
Madinah, Makkah, Riyadh, Qassim, and Hail regions. More opportunities are
expected to be announced during the 5th Future Minerals Forum, scheduled to
take place in Riyadh from January 13 to 15.
The
ministry emphasized that these initiatives are part of a long-term mining
strategy focused on maximizing resource potential, attracting foreign
investment, creating jobs, and building integrated value chains to position
Saudi Arabia as a global mining hub.
Source: Arab News
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