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Saudi Arabia Unveils $100 Billion Mining Investment To Boost Critical Mineral Production

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 16, 2025

At the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia unveiled an ambitious $100 billion investment aimed at transforming the global mining industry. The kingdom is positioning itself as a key player in the supply of critical minerals essential for energy transition technologies, including lithium, copper, gold, and rare earth elements. This strategic push is part of Saudi Arabia’s broader plan to diversify its economy and reduce dependence on oil.

Khalid al-Mudaifer, Deputy Minister of Mining Affairs, revealed that $20 billion of the planned investment is already advancing through its final engineering phase or is under construction. While details on the full scope of the project remain limited, the focus is on boosting exploration for key minerals such as lithium, copper, zinc, and nickel.

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Earlier in 2024, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources updated its estimate of the value of untapped mineral resources, increasing the figure from $1.3 trillion to $2.5 trillion. This upward revision is largely driven by recent discoveries of these critical resources. In conjunction with this, the Saudi government launched a $182 million incentive program to further encourage mineral exploration and development.

Strategic Partnerships And New Discoveries

Saudi oil giant Aramco has partnered with state-owned mining company Ma’aden to jointly explore and extract minerals essential for the energy transition. Aramco’s collaboration extends to lithium exploration, with the company identifying promising lithium concentrations in its operating regions.

Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman highlighted that Aramco’s involvement in mining, particularly lithium extraction, marks a departure from previous assumptions about the company’s focus. “Aramco can be a diversified company, and its mandate has no limits,” said bin Salman, underscoring the kingdom’s forward-thinking approach.

A key player in this strategy is Manara, a joint venture between Ma’aden and the Public Investment Fund (PIF), designed to invest in mining assets globally and strengthen sustainable supply chains. The venture aims to diversify Saudi Arabia’s mining operations and ensure access to the resources necessary for a successful energy transition.

Ambitious Timeline And Market Impact

The kingdom anticipates lithium production could commence as soon as 2027, with collaborations expected to accelerate the process. Lithium, a crucial component for electric vehicle batteries, is in high demand, and Saudi Arabia aims to become a central hub for processing critical minerals, competing with China, which currently dominates two-thirds of the lithium processing market.

In a breakthrough, Saudi Arabia recently confirmed the successful extraction of lithium from brine samples in Aramco’s oil fields. A joint venture with Ma’aden and local lithium extraction startup, Lithium Infinity, is now working on launching a commercial pilot program for direct extraction.

This bold move signals Saudi Arabia’s determination to play a pivotal role in the future of global mining, tapping into resources that will fuel both its economy and the world’s transition to cleaner energy technologies.

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Electric Vehicle Leaders Urge EU To Maintain 2035 Zero Emission Mandate

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

September 13, 2025

Industry Voices Emphasize the Importance of Commitment

Over 150 key figures from Europe’s electric car sector, including executives from Volvo Cars and Polestar, have signed a letter urging the European Union to adhere to its ambitious 2035 zero emission goal for cars and vans. These industry leaders warn that any deviation could hamper the progress of Europe’s burgeoning EV market, inadvertently strengthen global competitors, and weaken investor confidence.

Evolving Perspectives Within the Automotive Community

This call comes in the wake of a contrasting appeal issued at the end of August by heads of European automobile manufacturers’ and automotive suppliers’ associations. That letter, endorsed by the CEO of Mercedes-Benz, Ola Kaellenius, argued that a 100 percent emission reduction target may no longer be practical for cars by 2035.

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Discussion With EU Leadership on The Horizon

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to meet with automotive industry leaders on September 12 to deliberate the future of the sector. Facing stiff challenges such as the rise of Chinese competition and the implications of US tariffs, the stakes for the EU’s policy decisions have never been higher.

Potential Risks of Eroding Ambitious Targets

Industry leaders like Michael Lohscheller, CEO of Polestar, caution that any weakening of the targets could undermine climate objectives and compromise Europe’s competitive edge in the global market. Michiel Langzaal, chief executive of EU charging provider Fastned, further highlighted that investments in charging infrastructure and software development are predicated on the certainty of these targets.

Regulatory Compliance And The Mercedes-Benz Exception

A report from transport research and campaign group T&E indicates that nearly all European carmakers, with the exception of Mercedes-Benz, are positioned to meet CO₂ regulation requirements for the 2025-2027 period. To avoid potential penalties, Mercedes must now explore cooperation with partners such as Volvo Cars and Polestar.

Conclusion

The industry’s unified stance underscores the critical balance between environmental aspirations and maintaining competitive advantage. With high-level discussions imminent, the EU’s forthcoming decisions will be pivotal in shaping not only the future of the continent’s automotive sector but also its global positioning in the race towards sustainable mobility.