LAS VEGAS – Ma'aden (Saudi Arabian Mining Co.) President and CEO Khalid S. Al Mudaifer presented the company's strategies for growth during a seminar on Saudi Mining hosted by the United States – Saudi Arabia Business Council (USSABC) during the MINExpo 2012 conference and exhibition held in Las Vegas Wednesday. Al Mudaifer was joined by fellow presenters, including James B Smith, US Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Amer Kayani, Minister Counselor for Commercial Affairs at the US Embassy in Riyadh. The seminar outlined new developments in the mining sector in Saudi Arabia and highlighted the numerous opportunities for US-based companies to participate as partners, suppliers and service providers in the Kingdom's growing mining industry. Al Mudaifer said “this is an excellent opportunity for Ma'aden to tell potential new partners about our journey in building a world class minerals company. We are developing multi-billion dollar projects across the Kingdom and need other leading global companies to help us deliver the best value for our shareholders and the Kingdom.” The seminar was attended by numerous representatives of US companies seeking to do business in Saudi Arabia, as well as interested media representatives and conference delegates. Meanwhile, the Missouri University of Science and Technology plans to train Saudi mining engineers. The Rolla School on Tuesday announced a $24 million award from the Saudi government and the Saudi Arabian Mining Co. The five-year grant will be used to create the Saudi Mining Polytechnic and train 200 workers annually. The university will also work with Canadian Petroleum Services, Caterpillar Global Mining, The Doe Run Co., Immersive Technologies, Orica Inc. and P&H Mining. Missouri Science and Technology Chancellor Cheryl Schrader noted the school's “proud heritage of supplying the world with great mining engineers” since its founding in 1870 as the Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy. – SG/AP
