Riyadh - Sharikat Mubasher: The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources awarded exploration licenses to multiple local and international mining companies within Saudi Arabia’s first mineralized belts, with total exploration expenditure exceeding SAR 366 million over the next three years.

According to the ministry, these mineralized belts are located in the Medina and Asir regions, spanning a total area of 4,788 square kilometers.

Norin Ajlan & Brothers Mining Company obtained a license to explore the Southern Al-Hijjar site, committing SAR 209 million to exploration activities. Meanwhile, a consortium encompassing ARTAR, Gold & Minerals Limited, and Jacaranda secured an exploration license for the Northern Al-Hijjar site, pledging SAR 62 million for exploration works.

Vedanta Limited, an Indian multinational mining company, received the first exploration license for the Jabal Sayid belt, with an exploration budget of SAR 33 million. Additionally, the Ajlan & Brothers and China’s Zijin Mining Consortium obtained the second exploration license for the Jabal Sayid belt, allocating SAR 62 million for exploration activities.

The mineralized belts in Saudi Arabia host significant deposits of gold, copper, zinc, and other valuable minerals. With extensive exploration initiatives underway, these mineralized belts present promising opportunities for both local and international mining companies.

It should be noted that the ministry announced the offering of 50,000 square kilometers of mineralized belts containing gold, copper, and zinc during the fourth edition of the Future Mineral Forum (FMF 2025).