Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources is set to showcase to the world the mining investment potential of countries across the Middle East, Central Asia and Africa region at its first-ever Future Minerals Summit which kicks off in capital Riyadh next year.

 

To be held from January 11 to 13, 2022, the summit offers a ‘one-stop-shop’ where countries can learn from world-class experts how to build a sustainable industry, and where investors and miners can gain in-depth knowledge about the regions’ tremendous geological potential, said the event organisers.

 

The kingdom also is convening a Ministerial Roundtable in Riyadh the day before the summit sessions, with the aim of defining the future of mining across the MEA and Central Asia. 

 

Ministerial representatives of 25 governments will meet to address key questions and highlight the greatest opportunities across these regions. 

 

The pre-event roundtable will help shape a new era of mining in these dynamic regions, it stated.

 

According to the organisers, a number of ministers and more than 50 world-class speakers have been confirmed for the summit, including mining, investment, technology, manufacturing and sustainability thought leaders Mark Bristow, President of Barrick Gold; Robert Friedland, Founder and Co-Chairman of Ivanhoe Mines; Eric Cantor, Managing Director of Moelis & Company; Andrew Forrest, Chairman of Fortescue Metals Group; Andrew Liveris, Chairman of Lucid Motors; Roy Harvey, President and CEO of Alcoa; Jeremy Weir, Chairman and CEO of Trafigura; Marco Lambertini, General Secretary  of WWF; Thomas Kaplan, Chairman of Novagold; Jeffrey Dawes, CEO of Komatsu Mining Corp; and Peter Leon, Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills and one of the world’s pre-eminent mining lawyers.

 

Khalid Al Mudaifer, Vice-Minister of Mining Affairs, said: "The caliber of speakers who already have committed to summit demonstrates the tremendous interest in the new frontier of mining that includes the MEA and Central Asia region."

 

"This part of the world will play a vital role in meeting the exponential growth in global demand for the critical minerals needed in a low-carbon society," he noted. 

 

Al Mudaifer said the kingdom's ambition was to shape the future of mining and find solutions to industry challenges such as securing supply of future critical minerals.

 

"By bringing together governments, the private sector, multilateral organizations and NGOs, we aim to create a mining sector that does things the right way, sustainably and equitably," he added.

 

In addition to the dozens of confirmed speakers from the mining industry, leaders from multilateral organizations such as the World Bank, International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), and World Gold Council will also share their knowledge and insights with attendees.

 

Given the rapidly growing demand for technologies such as electric vehicles, solar panels and wind turbines, all of which require significant amounts of minerals, summit themes have been developed around the common theme of sustainability. 

 

•Mining’s Contribution to Society – Highlighting the critical role of minerals and mining in enabling a low carbon future

•Reimagining Mining – Shining a spotlight on technology and innovation that will create new and more sustainable ways of mining  

•Lands of Opportunity – Outlining investment and partnership opportunities along the mineral and metals value chains from exploration to manufacturing 

 

Rohitesh Dhawan, CEO of International Council on Mining and Metals, who is one of the key speakers at the event, said: "It is vital for us as an industry to come together with governments and other stakeholders to build the groundwork for the safe, fair and sustainable production of the minerals and metals needed to achieve the UN’s sustainable development goals."

 

"Our research clearly shows that under the right conditions, the mining sector can be a powerful force for national and regional development, and I welcome this important event at a critical time for the industry and the region," he added.-TradeArabia News Service