Saudi Arabia and Kazakhstan have signed a memorandum of understanding aiming to strengthen cooperation in the mining sector, exchange expertise and knowledge in mineral exploration and its latest technologies, and encourage joint mining investments TurkicWorld reports via arabnews
The deal was signed by Saudi Industry and Mineral Resources Minister Bandar Alkhorayef and Kazakhstan’s Industry and Construction Minister Yerlan Nagaspayev, during the Saudi minister’s official visit to Kazakhstan.
Alkhorayef’s visit aims to develop bilateral cooperation in a number of areas related to the mining sector, including mineral exploration, exchange of expertise and knowledge, stimulating joint investments, and strengthening partnerships between Saudi and Kazakh companies operating in the sector.
It seeks to support cooperation in innovation and modern technologies used in mining, and to benefit from mutual expertise to develop mining value chains and raise the efficiency of exploration and mining operations, contributing to achieving the shared interests of both countries.
The MoU comes as part of the Kingdom’s efforts to expand its international partnerships in the mining and minerals sector, and to strengthen cooperation with countries possessing promising mining potential, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030, and to enhance the Kingdom’s position as a global hub for mining and minerals.
Building on this momentum, Alkhorayef affirmed that Kazakhstan is a key and trusted partner in the critical minerals sector essential for the energy transition, and for the electricity, advanced manufacturing, and related industrial systems sectors, noting that its mining partnerships with the Kingdom play a vital role in accelerating the pace of investment, strengthening supply chains, and creating long-term industrial value.
This came during a high-level dialogue session titled “From the Depths of the Earth to the Horizons of Artificial Intelligence: Global Partnerships Shaping the Future of the Mining and Minerals Sector,” held as part of the Astana International Mining and Metals Forum in Kazakhstan, with the participation of a select group of government officials and sector leaders from around the world.
Alkhorayef said that the Kingdom and Kazakhstan share similar economic and industrial ambitions, alongside shared visions on the importance of developing the mining sector, given its pivotal role in supporting long-term economic diversification, enhancing industrial resilience, and achieving sustainable growth that goes beyond traditional reliance on oil and petrochemicals.
Regarding the mining sector globally, he affirmed that its development requires integrating mineral resources, infrastructure, and investment within comprehensive and integrated industrial systems, contributing to supporting the long-term stability of global supply chains.
Alkhorayef explained that building resilient mineral supply chains is not limited to extraction capabilities alone, but requires linking resources with processing facilities, industrial infrastructure, logistics systems, financing mechanisms, and advanced manufacturing systems, in order to support stable and scalable industrial production.
He added: “The global growth of the mining sector in the coming period will increasingly depend on private sector investments, industrial partnerships, and joint international cooperation, supported by governments working to enable investment, develop regulatory frameworks, and reduce obstacles, in order to contribute to building the infrastructure necessary for sustainable industrial growth.”
Alkhorayef pointed out that the Kingdom continues to strengthen its position as a global hub for the minerals sector, linking Africa, Europe, and Asia through integrated mineral value chains, industrial infrastructure, logistics corridors, ports, and railway networks, as well as investment-incentivizing reforms, affirming the Kingdom’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation in the mining and critical minerals sector.
