Saudi Arabia Accelerates Mine Development Through Last-Mile Infrastructure Enablement, launching a Shared-Use Treated Water Transmission Pipeline in the Jabal Sayid Region
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia,—Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has launched the Mining Infrastructure Enablement Initiative in collaboration with the Saudi Industrial Cities and Technology Zones Authority (MODON), on the margins of the Future Mineral Forum 2026. The ministry has also launched a project to provide treated water in the Jabal Sayid mining area in collaboration with the Saudi Irrigation Organization (SIO). These efforts aim to strengthen the competitiveness of the mining sector in the Kingdom by addressing last-mile infrastructure challenges, accelerating the development of mining projects, and establishing shared‑use infrastructure, in alignment with KSA Vision 2030.
A key showcase of the initiative’s impact is the Jabal Sayid mineralized belt in Al Mahd Governorate in Al Madinah Al Munawwara Region, which includes; two active copper and gold mines, one of the largest rare earth deposits globally, and multiple exploration licenses. The belt has an estimated endowment valued at approximately SAR 192 billion (USD 51.3 billion). This positions Jabal Sayid among the world’s most significant mineral belts. The treated water shared-use infrastructure project is being developed to unlock the belt's full potential and supports both existing and future mining operations. This comes in addition to the Ministry of Energy’s efforts to connect the area to the national power grid.
Through this project, the Ministry—working in cooperation with the Saudi Irrigation Organization (SIO)—will provide more than 20,000 cubic meters of treated water per day to the area via a treated‑water pipeline extending over 75 kilometers. This infrastructure will support up to five potential mining sites, while creating opportunities for broader agricultural and municipal use. The potential impact of the project includes: Preserving groundwater and surface water resources while increasing the use of treated water in line with the National Water Strategy, which enhances the sustainability of mining operations in the region. Reducing water costs in the area by up to 60% by replacing water‑transport tankers with treated‑water pipelines, thereby improving the economic viability of extracting and processing mineral resources such as copper, gold, and rare earth elements. ~11 million barrels of oil equivalent (MBOE) saved across the life of the infrastructure through avoided trucking operations. Additionally, around ~4 million tonnes of CO₂e emissions reduction, driven by lower fuel consumption and logistics activity Over ~25% surplus pipeline capacity can be channeled toward agricultural and municipal use.
By delivering last-mile infrastructure closer to mining license (exploitation license) sites, this effort will provide integrated solutions that strengthen Saudi Arabia’s mining sector competitiveness. It aims to elevate the Kingdom’s position in global benchmarks by creating a more reliable, connected, and cost-efficient infrastructure for mining operations. Enhanced infrastructure will streamline logistics, reduce operational barriers, and make Saudi Arabia a top destination for mining investment.
The initiative is anchored around three strategic objectives tailored to address infrastructure in remote areas. The objectives include: Accelerate minerals production and enhance mining projects’ competitiveness Accelerate mining investment decisions by de-risking infrastructure for investors Generate social benefits to surrounding communities and maximize social impact
The initiative will prioritize projects that align with national mining objectives, including the development of strategic minerals, regional economic contribution, and integration across the mining value chain.
The initiative is designed to give investors complete clarity and confidence. With a transparent, streamlined process and clearly defined qualification criteria, investors can easily understand how infrastructure projects are evaluated, allowing investors to plan with confidence and move quickly.
The initiative will serve projects that have obtained, or are in the process of obtaining, Class (A) and (B) exploitation licenses. Projects will be required to identify their infrastructure needs, such as energy and water. The initiative provides investors with full clarity through a transparent and streamlined process with clear qualification criteria, helping support informed investment decision‑making.
By strengthening infrastructure readiness, the Mining Infrastructure Enablement Initiative supports Saudi Arabia’s ambition to move beyond mineral extraction toward a more integrated mine-to-market ecosystem, reinforcing the Kingdom’s position as an investment-attractive, stable, and competitive mining jurisdiction for global investors. The initiative also complements broader national efforts to develop mineral processing capabilities and promote resilient supply chains aligned with global demand for critical and strategic minerals.
For more information about the initiative, please contact: mininginfra@mim.gov.sa