Saudi Arabia is set to host its first ever international mining and minerals conference and exhibition in a bid to boost a sector that offers $19 billion worth of opportunities in upstream and downstream projects.

 

The Saudi Minerals and Mining 2015 event will run from October 27 to 29 at the Prince Sultan Grand Hall, Al Faisaliah Exhibition and Convention Centre in Riyadh.

 

According to the latest data from MEED Projects, a leading regional tracking and analysis platform in the Middle East, upstream projects (extraction, mining) under execution or pre-execution is worth $4 billion, while downstream projects (mineral/metal processing plants) under execution or pre-execution is valued at $15 billion.

 

Edmund O'Sullivan, chairman, MEED Events, the organiser, said: “With the massive size and scale of opportunities involved, Saudi Arabia is keen on strategically developing an industry that will not only help diversify its economy, but also sustainably and strategically utilise its abundant mineral resources to become a leading regional hub and global commodities supplier."

 

The conference will feature local and international experts who will share insights on how key stakeholders can explore the wealth of opportunities within the Kingdom’s mining and minerals sector and the extended value chain. 

 

Ali Al-Naimi, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, will give the keynote address and will be joined by important decision-makers and thought leaders, such as Prince Faisal bin Turki bin Abdulaziz, Adviser to the Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources; Dr Zohair A Nawab, president, Saudi Geological Survey (SGS); and Sultan bin Jamal Shawli, Deputy Minister for Mineral Resources Khalid Al-Mudaifer, president and chief executive, Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden).

 

More than 3,000 delegates, including government officials, investors, mining specialists, business leaders, mine owners and international operators, will attend the event.

 

It will also host more than 50 exhibitors from 10 different countries, including Saudi Arabia, US, UAE, China, Germany, Finland, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands and Australia, who will showcase the latest technologies from leading global suppliers alongside active licence holders in the kingdom.

 

The exhibits will include machinery, equipment, materials, products, technology, consultancy services, management capability and financial expertise for Saudi Arabia’s mining sector, also for supporting infrastructure including building and construction, transport and communications, power and electricity, water and environment. - TradeArabia News Service