The Middle East is rapidly positioning mining and minerals as cornerstones of economic diversification and the clean-energy transition. Countries from Saudi Arabia to Oman and the UAE are aligning their long‑term visions (e.g. Saudi Vision 2030, Oman Vision 2040, UAE industrial plans) to turn vast, untapped mineral wealth into industrial growth. For example, Saudi Arabia’s reserves are now estimated at SR9.4 trillion (~$2.5 trillion), including phosphate, copper, gold and newly discovered rare‑earths and lithium. The kingdom projects mining’s GDP contribution to jump from ~$17 billion in 2024 to $75 billion by 2030, backed by a $100 billion investment plan targeting critical minerals by 2035. Oman and the UAE have similarly launched strategic mining roadmaps. Oman’s Vision 2040 explicitly calls for leveraging its copper, chromite, gypsum, limestone and silica to diversify output, while the UAE is drafting its first national Mineral Resources Strategy to raise mining’s share of non‑oil GDP to 5% by 2030. In short, resource‑rich Gulf states now treat mining as a “third pillar” of the economy alongside oil and petrochemicals.
UAE officials at the Mining Show 2024 stressed that “lithium, copper, cobalt…are the building blocks of tomorrow’s energy” and announced a new Minerals Strategy to hit 5% of non‑oil GDP by 2030. These energy-transition metals are driving the region’s mining push.
Major strategic drivers are converging. First, economic diversification: with hydrocarbon revenues plateauing, Gulf states are channeling sovereign and private capital into mining. Saudi Arabia alone has attracted over $32 billion in mining projects so far (one-third of its $100 billion target). Dozens of big deals were announced in 2024–25 – for example, nine Saudi agreements totaling SR35 billion (~$9.3 billion) with firms like India’s Vedanta and China’s Zijin, focused on copper, gold, aluminum and phosphate. These link directly to national visions: e.g. Saudi plans to unlock “$2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources” including phosphate and gold, Oman’s Vision 2040 designates mining a growth cluster around ports and processing hubs, and the UAE’s industrialization plans emphasize building downstream industries from mined ores.
Second, energy-transition and critical-mineral demand: surging global demand for batteries, EVs and renewables is calling out for copper, lithium, cobalt and rare-earth elements. The International Energy Agency projects copper demand nearly doubling by 2040 and lithium demand rising almost ninefold. Gulf planners are responding accordingly. Saudi Arabia has a “Future Minerals” initiative and $100 billion roadmap to fast-track critical metals (copper, lithium, nickel, etc.) by 2035. Oman, although having no known large lithium mines, is building a battery materials ecosystem – for example a new RO 188 million ($488 million) lithium‑battery chemical plant in the Salalah Free Zone, aimed at producing lithium‑iron phosphate and related materials. The UAE has even partnered with the US to launch a $1.8 billion Orion Critical Minerals Consortium (UAE, US government and Orion Resource Partners) to invest in global lithium, copper and rare-earth projects that can start producing quickly. These moves reflect a belief that controlling supply chains for “future minerals” is as vital as securing oil.
Third, industrial localization and value addition: beyond raw exports, governments want to capture downstream value. “Vision 2040” for mining envisions entire industrial clusters built around new mines, as in Oman’s plan for a silica‑to-glass cluster around the Mahout Silica project. Mahout contains over 47 million tonnes of ultra‑pure silica sands; experts argue this can feed glass, ceramics and even solar-PV glass lines locally. Similarly, Saudi Arabia is pushing copper smelters (e.g. Vedanta’s $2 billion copper smelter and rod plant) and even an EV battery chemicals complex (Yanbu partnership with EV Metals Group). Oman’s recent agreements include not just copper and chromite exploration, but also projects to make industrial salts, soda ash and hydrated lime from local deposits. The goal is clear: shorten supply chains and industrialize.
Fourth, technology and innovation: Middle Eastern mining is embracing automation, AI and digitization to overcome rugged terrain and workforce gaps. Leaders speak of “Fourth Industrial Revolution” tools in mines. Saudi Arabia has created a dedicated Ministry of Industry & Mineral Resources and a new national geological database, while Oman’s revamped Mining Act (2019) and incentives attract foreign tech partners. Companies like Ma’aden (Saudi Mining Co.) are deploying autonomous drilling rigs and advanced metallurgy, and joint ventures (e.g. Manara Minerals – PIF/Ma’aden) are seeking global tech transfers. Environmental and social governance (ESG) standards are also being embedded early to reduce financing risk (clear EIAs, local community programs).
Fifth, regulatory frameworks and investments: to catalyze mining, Gulf governments are overhauling laws and sweetening incentives. Saudi Arabia launched a new Mining Investment Law and an exploration‑license tender program covering 5,000 sq. km; Oman offers mining concessions with long-term low royalties; the UAE is finalizing its first national Mining Law. New funds and institutions have appeared – e.g. Saudi’s Mining Fund and Manara Minerals, Oman’s Minerals Development Oman (state mining company), and various sovereign‑wealth‑backed venture arms. Foreign investment is pouring in: over 70% of Saudi exploration firms are now international, and recent tender rounds drew bidders from Australia, Canada, China and Europe. In sum, the Middle East is building an investor‑friendly mining regime with clear legal frameworks and public‑private partnerships.
Saudi Arabia has taken the lead: besides the multibillion‑dollar deals above, it has tripled exploration spending (now SAR1.05 billion/$280m in 2024) and raised active exploration firms from 6 to 226 in four years. The Northern Borders (Waad Al-Shamal) holds ~SR4.6 trillion in phosphates and is already boosting Saudi to a top global phosphate exporter. Ma’aden’s flagship projects (phosphate 2&3, aluminum smelter at Ras Al-Khair, gold mines in the Arabian Shield) are on track, and the kingdom is now the first in the Middle East with a domestic lithium chemical plant. It has even established a PIF-Ma’aden JV (“Manara Minerals”) to invest overseas, seeking stakes in mines from Pakistan’s Reko Diq to Vale’s Brazilian base-metals spinoff.
Oman is scaling up modestly from a low base. In 2024 Oman’s mining sector added ~RO219 million (0.6%) to GDP, but Ministerial announcements show big plans: three new exploration agreements (~$500m) for copper, chromium and industrial minerals, plus the GFCL battery chemicals plant (RO 188m) for lithium-based products. Oman is also developing infrastructure (planned rail to Duqm for ore exports) and attracting joint ventures (e.g. with Australia’s Alara for copper). Its geologically rich Hajjar Mountains may yet yield strategic minerals, and the government envisions clustering industry around projects (e.g. a silica sands “Industrial Park” at Mahout).
United Arab Emirates has relatively limited geology but outsized ambition. The UAE has announced massive overseas mining investments (e.g. $1.9 bn in DRC mines, $1.1 bn for Mopani copper in Zambia) and is building domestic capabilities (trading hubs, smelting). It benefits from excellent logistics (Jebel Ali port, rail networks) and aims to turn itself into a Middle East minerals trading and processing hub. By 2023 UAE industrial exports had surged 17% to AED187 billion, showing how fast its non‑oil base is growing.
Other states: Jordan has long mined phosphate and potash; its state phosphate company (JPMC) earned nearly JD8.6 billion from 2018–24 and produced 11.5 Mt in 2024. JPMC is investing ~$1.8 billion by 2030 in expansion and fertilizer projects. Egypt has large gold and phosphate mining, though bureaucracy has slowed development. Iran and Turkey also have major mining sectors, but Western investors remain cautious. North Africa (Morocco) is the world’s biggest phosphate exporter, while Levant countries like Israel and Turkey are beginning to target critical minerals.
The region’s mining future depends on sustaining this momentum. Long‑term success will require continued reforms, skilled workforce development, and global partnerships. If executed well, Middle Eastern governments expect to see a virtuous cycle: new mines attract smelters and factories, creating jobs and technology transfer, which in turn build local industry. In Saudi Arabia, for instance, the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program explicitly links mining discoveries with downstream hubs. By securing both capital (via SWFs and foreign investors) and raw material access (via global deals like the UAE–Orion consortium), the Gulf states are betting that minerals will power the next chapter of their economies.
In summary, the Middle East’s mining sector is entering a transformational phase. The confluence of high global demand for clean‑energy minerals, ambitious diversification agendas, and record investment is remaking a traditionally marginal industry. Strategic choices made today – from licensing reforms to infrastructure investment – will determine whether the Middle East becomes a leading minerals powerhouse of the 21st century.