Riyadh – Saudi Arabia has ambitious goals focused on harnessing mineral resources, stated Bandar Ibrahim Alkhorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, during a session titled “A New Generation of Responsible Sustainable Mining Industries” at the Saudi-Arab-African Economic Conference.
He emphasized that mining in the Kingdom primarily aims to maximize the value derived from natural resources.
Alkhorayef added that the ministry is developing mining investments and the optimal utilization of mineral resources through the creation of mining platforms.
These platforms bring together stakeholders to identify opportunities for collaboration and sector development, particularly in the Middle East and Central Asia.
“We have begun discussions with 80 countries participating in the mining sector,” he said.
“An international platform has been established in Riyadh to support the development of the mining sector in the region, ensuring investment flow and aiding African and Central Asian countries in bringing more minerals to the market,” he added.
Alkhorayef later held bilateral meetings with several ministers who participated in the Saudi-Arab-African Economic Conference in Riyadh.
On the sidelines of the conference, he met with Stanley Kakubo, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation; Wastumbekem Mosoktwane, Minister of Finance; Reuben Mtolo Phiri, Minister of Agriculture; and Frederick Shava, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, all from Zambia.
Alkhorayef also met with Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition of South Africa; Oumar Sarr, Minister of Mines and Geology of Senegal; Antoinette N’Samba Kalambayi, Minister of Mines of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and Al-Nani Ould Chrougha, Minister of Petroleum, Energy, and Minerals of Mauritania.
These meetings focused on enhancing cooperation in the industrial and mining sectors between the Kingdom and the African countries participating in the conference.
The discussions included establishing partnerships between Saudi and African companies, exchanging technical expertise, and exploring promising investment opportunities in Africa.
These meetings are part of the Kingdom’s broader efforts to strengthen industrial, mining, and commercial partnerships with African countries and to enhance cooperation for sustainable development in Africa.
The Saudi-Arab-African Conference was aimed at bolstering cooperation frameworks with African countries across various economic fields and to invest in business development, infrastructure, and human capital.