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Saudi Arabia’s Qassim region has $32.6bn untapped mineral resources with huge gold reserves

Saudi Arabia is looking to boost mining industry and has massive untapped resources in Qassim

By Staff Writer
saudi mining mineral
Saudi Arabia has an opportunity to massively expand economy as it looks to mining as an alternative revenue to oil. Picture for illustrative purposes only

Saudi Arabia’s Qassim region is rich in untapped mineral resources valued at SR122.3bn ($32.6bn), according to the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources.

Saudi Vision 2030 aims to diversify the national economy by making mining a substantial source of income.

Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources Spokesperson Jarrah Al Jarrah said Qassim is abundant in high-quality mineral ores, including precious metals like gold, silver, copper, and lead, as well as tin, granite, tungsten, and molybdenum.

Saudi mineral resources

Qassim’s estimated mineral wealth includes:

  • Gold: SR87.7bn ($23.4bn)
  • Bauxite: SR24.6bn ($6.6bn)
  • Zinc: SR4.7bn ($bn)
  • Copper: SR4bn ($bn)
  • Silver: SR1.4bn ($m)

He said that Qassim boasts several mineral belts for gold, copper, zinc, and lead, as well as eight phosphate sites and a bauxite mining complex.

He noted that the region features 32 mining complexes dedicated to construction materials, including 17 for gravel, nine for sand, and six for aggregate materials.

The ministry spokesperson added that the industrial sector in Qassim is thriving, with 580 factories operating across the region. Approximately 84 per cent of these facilities are concentrated in Buraidah, Unaizah, Al Rass, and Al Badai.

Key industrial sectors include:

  • Food products
  • Beverages
  • Basic products
  • Pharmaceutical preparations
  • Rubber and plastic products
saudi mining

Al Jarrah also said that the industrial workforce in Qassim comprises 35,000 employees, with women making up over 15 per cent, reflecting the Kingdom’s efforts to empower women in the industrial sector.

Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef is currently visiting the region to inaugurate several projects in the industrial cities affiliated with the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON).

He is also due to attend the launch of the Youth Industry Forum in Qassim, which aims to qualify national talents in the industrial sector through workshops and career guidance sessions.

The minister will witness the launch of initiatives to develop human capacities in industry and mining and visit several factories to meet with industrial investors.

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