RIYADH – Saudi Arabia is organizing its first ever international mining and minerals conference and exhibition in a bid to boost a sector that offers $19 billion worth of opportunities in upstream and downstream projects. According to the latest data from MEED Projects, a leading regional tracking and analysis platform in the Middle East, upstream projects (extraction, mining) under execution or pre-execution is worth $4 billion, while downstream projects (mineral/metal processing plants) under execution or pre-execution is valued at $15 billion. “With the massive size and scale of opportunities involved, Saudi Arabia is keen on strategically developing an industry that will not only help diversify its economy, but also sustainably and strategically utilize its abundant mineral resources to become a leading regional hub and global commodities supplier,” said Edmund O' Sullivan, Chairman, MEED Events, which is organizing the conference component of the Saudi Minerals and Mining 2015 event scheduled to take place on Oct. 27-29, 2015 at the Prince Sultan Grand Hall, Al Faisaliah Exhibition & Convention Centre in Riyadh. The conference will feature local and international experts who will share insights on how key stakeholders can explore the wealth of opportunities within the Kingdom's mining and minerals sector and the extended value chain. It will be keynoted by Ali Al-Naimi, Saudi Arabia's Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, who will be joined by important decision-makers and thought leaders, such as Prince Faisal Bin Turki Bin Abdulaziz, Adviser to the Ministry of Petroleum & Mineral Resources; Dr Zohair A Nawab, President, Saudi Geological Survey (SGS); and Sultan Bin Jamal Shawli, Deputy Minister for Mineral Resources Khalid Al-Mudaifer, President and Chief Executive, Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden). More than 3,000 delegates are expected to attend the event, including government officials, investors, mining specialists, business leaders, mine owners and international operators. Saudi Mining and Minerals 2015 will also host over 50 exhibitors from 10 different countries, including Saudi Arabia, USA, UAE, China, Germany, Finland, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands and Australia, who will be showcasing the latest technologies from leading global suppliers alongside active license holders in the Kingdom. “More importantly, however, we hope to witness a number of announcements that will be made by key stake-holders and government officials regarding mining and surveying operations within the Kingdom throughout the event. This is the first time the event is being organized, with significant involvement from the government given its keen interest in developing the mining and minerals sector as a key pillar of developing the wider Saudi economy,” said Philip McKean, Managing Director, Montgomery Star, the UK-based company in charge of organizing the exhibition component of Saudi Mining and Minerals 2015. Exhibits at Saudi Mining & Minerals 2015 will include machinery, equipment, materials, products, technology, consultancy services, management capability and financial expertise for Saudi Arabia's mining sector, also for supporting infrastructure including building and construction, transport and communications, power and electricity, water and environment. Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden), the Kingdom's leading listed minerals and mining joint stock company, will provide the latest updates on some its projects in the sector which include the $5.6 billion Ma'aden Phosphate Company, a joint venture with Sabic in Ras Al Khair; and the $7.5 billion integrated phosphate project in partnership with Sabic and The Mosaic Company. These facilities are due to begin operations in late 2016 and will be part of King Abdullah Project for Wa'ad Al-Shamal City Development. “Ma'aden will have their procurement staff onsite to explain their approved procurement provider scheme for new to market suppliers - another good reason for those interested in being involved in these massive projects to attend,” added McKean. Saudi Mining & Minerals 2015 is a senior 3-day conference dedicated to providing critical market intelligence, commentary and real insight into the Kingdom's mining opportunities and diversified industrial value chain development. With a stellar expert speaker line up of government ministries, Ma'aden, mine owners, operators, world class service providers the content will reflect the views and inside knowledge of leading market authorities and stakeholders to the current and future challenges facing the Kingdom's mining and minerals sector. A series of keynote presentations and case studies will examine all aspects of the value chain, the full spectrum projects and developing businesses and of opportunities for investors, sustainability and transport & infrastructure. Panel discussions with key stakeholders, CEOs and Business Leaders will also be a feature for exploring many business opportunities within the value chain. Organized under the patronage of Minister Al-Naimi, Saudi Mining and Minerals 2015 is now open for registration. Those interested are encouraged to register online at www.saudi-mining.com for further details. — SG
