– Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has launched its largest mineralized belts to date, covering 4,788 km² and offering five new exploration licenses, inviting major mining and exploration companies to participate.

– The initiative includes the Jabal Sayid and Al-Hajjar mineralized belts. Jabal Sayid, northeast of Jeddah, hosts the Jabal Sayid and Mahd Al-Thahab Mines, while Al-Hajjar, located in the Wadi Shwas VMS Belt, includes two exploration licenses and is known for its rich gold, copper, and zinc deposits.

– The exploration licenses will be awarded through a transparent, multi-stage bidding process starting with pre-qualification from July to October 2024, followed by technical and environmental proposal submissions in December 2024, and concluding with the announcement of the winning bidder in January 2025.

The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources in Saudi Arabia has unveiled its largest mineralized belts to date, encompassing a vast area of 4,788 km² and offering five new exploration licenses.

This initiative is part of the ongoing Exploration Licensing Rounds, aimed at tapping into the significant mineral resources of these regions.

The ministry is calling on leading mining and exploration firms to participate, emphasizing Saudi Arabia’s dedication to advancing its mining and minerals sector and providing investment opportunities. Jarrah bin Mohammed Al-Jarrah, the ministry’s spokesperson, highlighted that this move underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to fostering a dynamic mining industry and opening up new exploration avenues.

The Jabal Sayid and Al-Hajjar belts are among the largest mineralized sites ever introduced by Saudi Arabia. The Jabal Sayid belt, situated northeast of Jeddah and east of Madinah, includes the Jabal Sayid and Mahd Al-Thahab Mines.

The Al-Hajjar site, located in the Wadi Shwas VMS Belt within the Asir Terrane, features two exploration licenses. This area, known for its substantial gold, copper, and zinc deposits, previously hosted the Alhajjar mine, which produced around 40,000 ounces of gold annually before its closure.

The bidding process will be transparent and conducted in stages, starting with a pre-qualification phase from July to October 2024. Qualified bidders will then be invited to submit technical and environmental impact proposals in December 2024.

The process will conclude with the announcement of the successful bidder and license award in January 2025.

Al-Jarrah reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to providing comprehensive geological data through the electronic ‘Ta’adeen’ platform, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s dedication to developing its mining sector in line with international standards, focusing on environmental sustainability and social responsibility.