JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia has initiated a competitive bidding process for 22 gravel and sand quarry sites to guarantee a stable domestic supply of vital materials, supporting the nation’s burgeoning construction industry.
The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources disclosed on Sunday that these sites are situated in the Eastern Province and the Tabuk region. Specifically, 10 sites are in the Eastern Province, comprising five gravel licenses at the Al-Masnah Crushers Complex northeast of Hafar Al-Batin and five ordinary sand licenses at the Northwest Salwa Complex. Furthermore, 12 gravel licenses are up for grabs at the South Wadi Amq Complex, located southeast of Haql in the Tabuk region.
This move is integral to Saudi Arabia’s larger strategy to evolve its mining sector into a third pillar of its industrial foundation, alongside oil and petrochemicals. The Kingdom boasts over 5,300 mineral sites, valued at approximately SR5 trillion ($1.33 trillion), and the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources is dedicated to leveraging these assets to fuel economic expansion.
In line with this, the government has introduced the Accelerated Exploration Program, aiming to efficiently utilize the Kingdom’s mineral riches and foster the mining industry’s growth. This aligns with Saudi Vision 2030 and the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program.
Applications for the quarry site licenses will be open from Dec. 10-19. Potential investors can find more information on the “Taadeen” platform. The competition will progress through four stages: meeting qualification criteria, announcing qualified contenders, bidding on the sites, and unveiling the winning bids. This structured process is intended to ensure transparency and maintain high standards in the mining sector’s investment climate.
Last month, the ministry granted 11 mining exploration permits to both local and international companies for six exploration sites. These sites, spanning an area of 850 sq. km across Riyadh, Makkah, and Asir, were awarded through a competitive licensing process designed to bolster the country's mineral sector. The competition for exploration rights culminated with one national company and five alliances, including 10 local and international firms, securing permits. The ministry underscored that these initiatives are essential for optimizing the value of Saudi Arabia’s mineral resources and establishing mining as a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s economic landscape.
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