Saudi Arabia has reiterated its push for cross-border collaboration in the minerals sector, with Vice-Minister for Mining Affairs H.E. Khalid Al Mudaifer telling delegates at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) in Sydney that cooperation is now “a strategic necessity.”
Addressing representatives from 125 countries, Al Mudaifer said the goal is to build “a mineral industry that is sustainable, resilient and equitable—one that powers global prosperity and supports the world’s transition.” He argued the challenges confronting supply chains span borders and sectors, affecting everything from renewable energy to defence and technology, and “no nation can secure its future in isolation.”
Al Mudaifer said Riyadh is deepening ties with partners in Australia and globally to make “every link in the global minerals chain more secure, more sustainable and more inclusive.”
Vision 2030: mining as a growth pillar
Under the Kingdom’s Vision 2030, mining has been designated the third pillar of national industry alongside energy and petrochemicals. Al Mudaifer said the strategy is anchored in stability, transparency and investor confidence, supported by modern regulation and a business environment geared to international partnership.
He cited 2024 Fraser Institute findings that ranked Saudi Arabia first globally for political stability and seventh for environmental regulation. “Our story is not about extraction—it is about transformation,” he said, adding that progress “will not be achieved by competition alone, but through shared purpose and trust.”
“Saudi Arabia stands ready to play its role as a reliable partner, a transparent market and a bridge between nations and industries,” Al Mudaifer said.
For more information and to register for IMARC 2025, please visit the IMARC Website.