Arar, Saudi Arabia – February 17, 2025 – The Waad Al-Shamal Industrial City stands as a cornerstone in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to strengthen and diversify its economy, particularly in the mining sector, which has been recognized as the third pillar of the Kingdom’s industrial landscape. This ambitious initiative is in alignment with the broader goals of Saudi Vision 2030, which aims to reduce the Kingdom’s dependency on oil by focusing on the development of various industries, including mining, and maximizing the value-added benefits derived from natural resources.
With investments surpassing SAR 80 billion, Waad Al-Shamal is a testament to Saudi Arabia’s commitment to establishing a thriving mining sector that will not only contribute to the Kingdom’s economic diversification but also position the country as a global leader in mineral resources. The strategic importance of Waad Al-Shamal is evident as it has helped transform Saudi Arabia into the world’s second-largest exporter of phosphate, a key element in fertilizers, thereby enhancing the Kingdom’s role in global agricultural production.
Spanning an area of 440 square kilometers, Waad Al-Shamal Industrial City has been designed to accommodate diverse industrial activities, with 290 square kilometers allocated for general development and 150 square kilometers dedicated to Ma'aden phosphate industrial projects. These projects have become the cornerstone of the region’s mining renaissance, transforming the area into a comprehensive industrial hub for mineral processing.
The city hosts an integrated industrial ecosystem that spans primary, transformative, and technological industries. These sectors benefit from cutting-edge infrastructure, including modern road networks, state-of-the-art energy and water facilities, and a fully integrated residential area. This robust infrastructure system plays a vital role in promoting operational efficiency, resource sustainability, and an overall conducive environment for industrial growth.
As part of its efforts to enhance phosphate fertilizer production, Waad Al-Shamal is currently home to three major industrial projects. The Ma'aden Phosphate Project, with an investment of SAR 21 billion, boasts an annual production capacity of three million tons of phosphate fertilizers. In addition, the Ma'aden Waad Al-Shamal Phosphate Company, with an investment of SAR 31 billion, shares the same annual production capacity of three million tons. A third project, currently under construction with an investment of SAR 28 billion, is expected to significantly increase Saudi Arabia’s production capacity and enable the country to meet growing global demand for phosphate fertilizers.
The success of Waad Al-Shamal is also attributed to its focus on human capital development. In partnership with the Technical and Vocational Training Corporation (TVTC), Ma'aden established the Saudi Mining Polytechnic, an institution that has already graduated 1,081 specialists, including 52 female graduates. This initiative is helping to develop local talent in the mining sector and ensuring that the Kingdom has a skilled workforce to support its expanding mining and industrial sectors. In addition, Ma'aden’s investment of SAR 180 million in the establishment of Science Excellence Schools in Arar and Turaif is empowering the next generation of Saudi students to pursue careers in scientific and engineering disciplines. This initiative, in collaboration with Dhahran Techno Valley, is playing a critical role in fostering innovation and research in mining and related industries.
At the heart of Saudi Arabia’s phosphate industry lies the Al-Jalamid Mine, one of the largest phosphate mines in the world. With an annual production capacity of 11 million tons, the mine supplies the Ma'aden Phosphate Industrial Complex in Ras Al Khair, which produces high-quality fertilizers for global agricultural markets. This large-scale operation not only bolsters Saudi Arabia’s role as a leading exporter of phosphate but also underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to supporting sustainable global food production.
Waad Al-Shamal Industrial City represents a pivotal development in Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to strengthen its position as a global leader in the mining industry. The city’s significant investments, its advanced industrial ecosystem, and the cultivation of a skilled, local workforce all play a crucial role in ensuring the Kingdom’s continued success in the global mining sector. Through strategic projects like Waad Al-Shamal, Saudi Arabia is reinforcing its commitment to Vision 2030’s goals of economic diversification, sustainable development, and maximizing the potential of the Kingdom’s natural resources. This makes Waad Al-Shamal not just a mining hub, but a vital part of Saudi Arabia’s future as a global industrial powerhouse.
