Riyadh, October 10, 2024 – The Qassim region of Saudi Arabia is emerging as a key area of interest for its vast and largely untapped mineral wealth, estimated to be worth SAR122.3 billion. This considerable natural resource base is viewed as a critical component of Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 initiative, which seeks to diversify the national economy by turning mining into a significant source of revenue. The Kingdom is actively working to leverage this wealth in alignment with its broader economic transformation goals.
According to Jarrah Al-Jarrah, spokesperson for the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Qassim is home to an abundance of high-quality mineral ores, including precious metals such as gold, silver, copper, and lead. Additionally, the region is rich in other valuable resources like tin, granite, tungsten, and molybdenum. The mineral wealth in Qassim is estimated to include SAR87.7 billion in gold, SAR24.6 billion in bauxite, SAR4.7 billion in zinc, SAR4 billion in copper, and SAR1.4 billion in silver, making it a critical area for the Kingdom's mining sector development.
Al-Jarrah elaborated on the region's mining potential, noting that Qassim contains several significant mineral belts. These belts are rich in gold, copper, zinc, and lead, making them prime targets for future exploration and extraction. In addition, the region boasts eight phosphate sites and a bauxite mining complex. Qassim's mineral wealth extends beyond metals, with 32 mining complexes dedicated to the extraction of construction materials. Of these, 17 complexes are focused on gravel, nine on sand, and six on aggregate materials, all essential for the region’s infrastructure development.
Alongside its vast mineral resources, Qassim also hosts a thriving industrial sector. Currently, 580 factories operate across the region, contributing to Saudi Arabia's growing manufacturing capabilities. Al-Jarrah noted that around 84% of these industrial facilities are concentrated in key cities such as Buraidah, Unaizah, Al-Rass, and Al-Badai. These factories are active in a wide range of sectors, including food products, beverages, basic materials, pharmaceutical preparations, and the production of rubber and plastic products. The industrial sector in Qassim employs a workforce of approximately 35,000 people, with women making up more than 15% of the total workforce, a reflection of the Kingdom's efforts to increase female participation in traditionally male-dominated industries.
Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar Alkhorayef, is currently visiting the Qassim region to inaugurate several major projects in the industrial cities under the Saudi Authority for Industrial Cities and Technology Zones (MODON). His visit also coincides with the launch of the Youth Industry Forum in Qassim, an initiative aimed at developing national talent in the industrial sector. The forum will offer workshops and career guidance sessions to prepare Saudi youth for careers in the rapidly evolving industrial landscape.
As part of his visit, Minister Alkhorayef will oversee the launch of several initiatives aimed at enhancing human capital development in both the mining and industrial sectors. His agenda includes meetings with industrial investors and visits to various factories in the region to further strengthen ties between the government and the private sector, fostering growth and innovation in these critical industries.