MUSCAT : The International Mining Conference kicked off on Wednesday in Riyadh with the participation of ministers concerned with the mining sector, senior government officials, global investment leaders, financial sectors, resource companies and institutions, multilateral institutions, non-governmental organisations, and prominent suppliers of mining services and technology.

The Sultanate of Oman’s delegation to the conference is headed by His Excellency Mohammed bin Hamad Al Ramahi, Minister of Energy and Minerals.

The conference was opened on behalf of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, who stressed that the challenge of meeting the growing global demand for minerals has become clear, as a result of trends in the fields of advanced industry, clean energy and zero carbon ambitions.

He said that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia aims through the International Mining Conference, which is launched under the title “The Future of Minerals”, to contribute to responding to the future needs of the mining sector, by bringing together multiple stakeholders, from governments, investors, financial institutions, service providers, manufacturers, and providing A platform for cooperation between them to draw a future road map, aimed at achieving sustainable development for our societies and economies by expanding the contribution of this important and promising sector.

He said, We have today a great opportunity to contribute to the provision of vital minerals, and to benefit from the mining sector, to be a major economic driver in the countries of the region. Especially as it faces the same challenges of the need to increase exploration, provide adequate infrastructure, and attract quality investments.

He called for seizing this opportunity and pushing for the sustainable development of mining in our Arab countries and the entire region.