Ministry of Industry issues over 140 mining licenses YTD: Al-Mudaifer

Khaled Al-Mudaifer, Vice Minister for Mining Affairs, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources

Khaled Al-Mudaifer, Vice Minister for Mining Affairs, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, said more than 140 mining exploration licenses were issued since the beginning of 2021, Al Eqtisadiah newspaper reported.

He added that local and international investors submitted more than 580 applications for mining exploration.

The value of industrial investments registered with the ministry reached nearly $4.7 billion in the first quarter of 2021, which is four times higher than the same period of 2020.

Mining witnesses great demand due to its importance, Al-Mudaifer said, indicating that mining includes two parts; the first is building materials, while the second is gold, aluminum, phosphates, etc.