Event Held in Riyadh on Establishing Regional Center of Excellence for Mining

An event that brings together dozens of experts from around the world to discuss the establishment of a regional center of excellence in the mining sector kicked off yesterday in Riyadh.

The event, dubbed “Role of Centers of Excellence in Establishing Mineral Supply Chains,” is co-hosted by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) and the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources.

Senior Vice President for Research and Development at KACST Talal Al-Sedairy, alongside 40 industrial experts, academics, and government officials in the field of mining from all over the world, are participating in the event, which is held in KACST’s headquarters.

The event seeks to discuss the establishment of a regional center of excellence in the mining sector as part of the planned outcomes of the ministerial roundtable meeting of the FMF, slated for January 2024.

The event looks forward to drawing a roadmap for the center’s mechanism of action in a way that serves the Central and West Asia and Africa region.

Furthermore, the discussions will highlight the role of research, development, and innovation in sustaining mineral supplies and overcoming the challenges facing the region.

In a speech at the opening of the event, Saeed Al-Shihri, Vice President of Energy and Industry at KACST, stressed the importance that Saudi Arabia attaches to the mining sector as the third pillar of national economy.

He highlighted the Kingdom’s keenness under the ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 to significantly expand the mining sector’s contribution to gross domestic product (GDP).

Al-Shihri highlighted the importance of establishing a center of excellence in the mining sector to tackle the growing demand for minerals amid the diversity in industries that require sustainable supplies.

Finding solutions to the growing demand through this center would ensure market stability and promote industry growth and development, Al-Shihri added.

The event concludes on Wednesday with proposals and recommendations to encourage innovation in mining technologies and policies and enhance skills and knowledge in this regard.

The insights and proposals will also serve in developing effective mining infrastructure and activating cooperation between the government and the private sector.