Saudi Arabia’s mining sector continued to record significant progress this week, reflecting the Kingdom’s broader transformation under Vision 2030 as it strengthens its position as a global mining investment hub.
One of the most notable developments came from the Fraser Institute’s Annual Survey of Mining Companies 2025, which ranked Saudi Arabia among the top ten mining investment destinations worldwide. The report is widely regarded as one of the most influential global benchmarks used by mining investors to assess the attractiveness of mining jurisdictions.
According to the survey, Saudi Arabia climbed 13 positions in the Investment Attractiveness Index within a single year, improving its score by 14.3 percent and becoming the only Asian jurisdiction included in the global top ten ranking.
The Kingdom’s rise reflects a remarkable long-term transformation. Saudi Arabia ranked 104th globally in 2013, advanced to 23rd place in 2024, and now stands among the world’s ten most attractive mining destinations.
Strong Performance Across Key Investment Indicators
Saudi Arabia’s performance was driven by major improvements across two fundamental indicators measured by the Fraser Institute.
In the Policy Perception Index, which evaluates regulatory clarity, governance, and investment stability, the Kingdom rose from 20th place to 4th globally, achieving a score of 94.99.
Meanwhile, in the Mineral Potential Index, which measures geological attractiveness, Saudi Arabia advanced from 24th to 16th place, with a score of 73.33.
These results highlight a combination that investors consider essential: strong mineral potential supported by a modern regulatory framework and transparent governance.
Regulatory Reforms Strengthening Investor Confidence
Across detailed policy indicators, Saudi Arabia achieved first place globally in three key regulatory categories.
The Kingdom ranked first worldwide in “Uncertainty Concerning Administration & Regulations,” reflecting the clarity and predictability of its mining regulatory framework. This category alone recorded a 558 percent improvement, driven by reforms including the Mining Investment Law, the creation of ESNAD (Saudi Mining Services Company), and the Ta’adeen digital licensing platform, which has streamlined mining licensing procedures.
Saudi Arabia also ranked first globally in “Regulatory Duplication and Inconsistencies,” highlighting improved coordination across government entities. In addition, the Kingdom achieved first place in the “Taxation Regime” category, strengthening the financial attractiveness of mining projects for investors.
Infrastructure development has also improved significantly, particularly in transport and energy availability, following initiatives such as the Mining Infrastructure Enablement Initiative launched during the Future Minerals Forum earlier this year.
Other key improvements included a 211 percent increase in the legal system indicator and a 203 percent improvement in the quality of geological databases, supported by expanded geological surveys and improved access to exploration data.
Exploration Activity and Investment Continue to Grow
The regulatory reforms are translating into tangible investment outcomes.
In 2025, Saudi Arabia issued 61 exploitation licenses for mining development projects valued at $11.73 billion (SAR44 billion), compared with 21 licenses issued in 2024, representing a 221 percent increase.
Exploration activity has also expanded rapidly. The number of active exploration companies increased from six companies in 2020 to 226 companies in 2024, representing more than a 38-fold increase.
Meanwhile, the number of active exploration licenses reached 1,018 licenses in 2025, compared with 500 licenses in 2020.
New Exploration Licensing Round Attracts Global Interest
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources continues to expand exploration opportunities through competitive licensing rounds.
The ministry recently launched the 11th exploration licensing round, inviting bids for eight mining sites across the Riyadh, Hail, and Aseer regions, covering a total area of 1,878 square kilometers.
The sites target deposits including gold, silver, copper, zinc, and iron ore, and have attracted strong international interest from leading mining companies such as Barrick Gold, Ivanhoe Electric, Shandong Gold, Hancock Prospecting, and Zijin Mining.
To support early-stage exploration and reduce financial risk, the Kingdom has allocated $182.67 million (SAR685 million) to its Exploration Enablement Program for the 2024–2030 period.
Participating exploration companies are required to share geological data, accelerating knowledge exchange and improving the quality of investment decisions.
Mining as a Key Pillar of the Saudi Economy
Saudi Arabia’s mining sector is emerging as a major pillar of economic diversification.
The Kingdom’s mineral resources are estimated at $2.5 trillion, with more than 45 identified minerals, including gold, copper, uranium, phosphate, and bauxite.
Under Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia aims to increase the mining sector’s contribution to GDP to SAR240 billion ($63 billion) by 2030, while creating 200,000 direct and indirect jobs and attracting $27 billion in new investment.
Major geological initiatives are also underway, including one of the world’s largest geological surveys, covering approximately 700,000 square kilometers of the Arabian Shield, with a total investment of $1.5 billion.
As global demand for transition minerals continues to grow, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a strategic supplier of critical resources essential for energy transition technologies, electrification, batteries, and renewable energy systems.
Industry experts note that mining growth extends far beyond extraction, creating economic opportunities across engineering, logistics, industrial services, and advanced technology sectors.
With regulatory reforms, geological discoveries, and expanding exploration activity, Saudi Arabia’s mining sector is rapidly evolving into a globally competitive investment destination.
