Overview
Saudi Arabia has emerged as a global leader in minerals and energy, leveraging abundant natural resources while fostering international dialogue on sustainable mineral supply. Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom has fast‑tracked investment in green technologies, responsible mining practices, and cross‑border partnerships that are transforming the industry. This fifth edition of the Forum, held in Riyadh in January 2026, underscored Saudi Arabia’s continued commitment to advancing international cooperation in the minerals sector.
We were proud to be a strategic insight partner at the Future Minerals Forum 2026.
Our Session
January 14, 15:10 p.m.—15:55 p.m. GST
Building The Minerals Industry Of The Future In Saudi Arabia
This panel examined how Saudi Arabia is building a modern, resilient minerals industry by connecting four mutually reinforcing priorities: the Kingdom’s resource potential, local industrialization, global supply strategies, and ecosystem competitiveness.
Panellists discussed how the accelerated exploration and discovery of both traditional and future-facing minerals (for example, copper, lithium, zinc, and rare earths) are being translated into higher-value economic activity through midstream/downstream processing, strategic international partnerships, and reforms that make the mining ecosystem globally competitive. The conversation focused on practical execution — speed, transparency, and sustainability — and on how each part of the system must be strengthened in practice to deliver jobs, investment, and long-term industrial depth.
Moderator: Frederic Ozeir, partner and IMEA head of manufacturing and mining, Oliver Wyman
Panellists: Hisham Alfouzan, assistant deputy minister for mining investment enablement, ministry of industry and mineral resources; Majed Al-Argoubi, chief executive officer, Saudi Authority for industrial cities and technology zones (MODON); David Awram, chairman and co-founder, SDC Metals/Sandstorm Gold Royalties; Mohammed Al Sultan, vice president of licensing sector, ESNAD, Saudi Mining Services Company; Yahiya Al Shangiti, CEO, Arabian Geophysical & Surveying Company (ARGAS)
January 15, 10:00 a.m.—11:15 a.m. GST
Roundtable Discussion — Value Addition In Minerals
The roundtable tested and refined pragmatic instruments that can convert ambition into bankable projects: targeted concessional finance and blended-finance windows tied to local-content and environmental outcomes; offtake and anchor-tenant structures to underwrite processing plants; transparent fiscal and contracting terms that attract long-term capital; and public investments in strategic enablers (grid capacity, ports, industrial land, training centres).
The discussion covered the key prerequisites for downstream value addition, including competitive advantages such as low‑cost energy, strong industrial and logistical infrastructure, access to local demand, and supportive policies like incentives, talent development, and strategic partnerships. It also examined G2G and B2B partnerships that enable minerals value addition, including collaboration between “mining” and “processing” countries and between companies with complementary capabilities — such as exploration versus processing — and differing forms of access, from financial resources to natural resources. It concluded with practical recommendations for next steps and a proposed roadmap.
Moderators: Frederic Ozeir, partner and IMEA head of manufacturing and mining, Oliver Wyman; Heinz Pley, independent contractor energy and natural resources, Oliver Wyman
Meet The Team
