Saudi Arabia prequalifies firms for mines exploration

24 April 2023

Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry & Mineral Resources (MIMR) has announced shortlisting 13 local and international companies for the next exploration phase at the Muhaddad and Ar-Ridaniyah mining sites.

The Muhaddad exploration site, located in Bisha within the Asir geological terrane, covers 139 square kilometres and includes copper, zinc and lead ore deposits.

The Ar-Ridaniyah exploration ⁠site is situated in the Riyadh region within the Al-Dawadmi geological terrane. It spans an area of more than 75 sq km and includes deposits of zinc and silver ore.

Companies that have been prequalified to bid for the two exploration sites are:

  • African Rainbow Minerals (South Africa)
  • Alara Saudi Ventures (Saudi Arabia)
  • Al-Masane al-Kobra Mining Company (Saudi Arabia)
  • Barrick Gold Corporation (Canada)
  • Eurasian Resources Group Arabia (Luxembourg)
  • Moxico Resources (UK)
  • Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden)
  • Yilmaden Holding (Turkey)
  • Vedanta (India)
  • Abdulrahman Saad AlRashid & Sons Company (Saudi Arabia)
  • Ajlan & Bros Mining Company (Saudi Arabia) / Norin Mining Company (Hong Kong)
  • Panoro Minerals (Canada) / Royal Road and MSB Holding Company (Saudi Arabia)

Prequalified bidders have been invited to submit their proposals by the end of May. MIMR expects to announce the winners of the exploration licensing round in June.

Separately, MIMR also invited local and international mining companies to express interest in the prequalification round for three other exploration sites:

  • Umm Hadid (with potential silver, lead, zinc and copper reserves) – 246 sq km
  • Bir Umq (with potential copper and zinc reserves) – 187 sq km
  • Jabal Sahabiyah (with potential zinc, lead and copper reserves) – 283 sq km

MIMR also expects to complete the prequalification process for these exploration sites in June.

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Indrajit Sen
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