The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia sits at the heart of minerals crossroad called the Arabian-Nubian Shield; this continent-crossing seam is estimated to contain $1.3 trillion worth of potential minerals across numerous commodities, including copper, phosphate, gold, iron ore and rare earth minerals.
The sixth largest phosphate producer in the world and the largest gold producer in the Middle East, with 20 million ounces of gold reserves below ground, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has invested billions into the sector as part of its plans to reduce its economic reliance on the oil and gas industry. To achieve its ambitious Saudi Vision 2030 plan, it has recognised that it still needs to be partnering with mining experts from across the globe if it is to expand and develop the $17 billion sector.
The recent Future Minerals Forum was an opportunity for KSA to update the mining community on its progress and invite many of the world’s leading experts and exponents of cutting-edge technology. As such, it was a valuable opportunity for Invest Northern Ireland to showcase the country’s world-class innovations in Mining, Quarrying, and Bulk Materials Handling Machinery.
“Investment in mining forms part of the country’s Vision 2030, which aims to make the sector the third pillar of the national industry in compliance with the objectives of the National Industrial Development and Logistics Programme,” explains Amit Jain, Sector Lead – Engineering, Middle East and India at Invest Northern Ireland, following his return from the organisation’s participation at Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Jain tells CMME that the week proved useful in connecting Northern Irish companies with regional stakeholders.
“Invest Northern Ireland is the regional economic development agency for Northern Ireland and is committed to working collaboratively with key partners in the Materials Handling and Mining industry to help companies from Northern Ireland trade more effectively in the region. With our office presence in Jeddah, we support businesses from Northern Ireland explore relevant opportunities and partners in Saudi Arabia,” comments Jain.
He adds that the Northern Ireland industry has specific areas of expertise that are needed for the Saudi Vision 2030 programme, such as mobile crushers and screeners, bulk materials handling systems, stockpilers, remote monitoring sensors for vibrating m/cs, conveyor belts, ultra-fine recovery plants, tailings management, sand and aggregate washing machinery, jaw crusher un-blockers, spare parts, and more.
“Northern Ireland has a lot to offer the mining sector in Saudi Arabia,” adds Jain. “It is a recognised leader in the design and manufacturing of mining and quarrying machinery, particularly in the tracked mobile crushing and screening equipment segment, which accounts for 40% of the total global market. Furthermore, companies like CDE Group, Powerscreen, and Sensoteq – all present during the event,are already well-regarded in their respective fields and ably supported by one of the world’s most successful clusters of over 100 engineering companies, developing state-of-the-art equipment and machinery for exports globally.
“Northern Ireland also has an innovative cluster of companies developing and delivering solutions for the global mining Industry. These successful companies are well-supported by a comprehensive and competitive supply chain. Invest Northern Ireland is assisting them in developing business opportunities in emerging markets and expanding into various regions, including India, the Middle East and Africa.”
Powerscreen, for instance, has supplied Mobile Crushing and Screening machines for Limestone and Gypsum Mining in Oman. Powerscreen’s Regional Sales Manager (ME&EA) Imran Kazi describes the firm’s attendance at the event as presenting opportunities ‘beyond the horizon’ in the Saudi market.
“It was an eye-opener for many and will surely act as a change agent when it comes to perspective on Saudi Arabia’s construction and mining industry; we wouldn’t be surprised to see the event turning into the leading construction and mining industry show of the region in the next couple of years and look forward to attending and participating in the upcoming events. It was a great opportunity and a must-visit show for professionals from all construction and mining industry segments.” comments Kazi.
Fellow Northern Ireland firm CDE Group successfully delivered Silica Sand washing plants to Muadinoon Mining Company in 2021; the Regional Manager for MEA Ruchin Garg stated on their participation: “It was an interesting event showcasing Saudi’s potential in the mining/mineral sector. We truly believe in Saudi Arabia’s potential for our business in the region and will be keen to engage at different levels.”
Speaking of the event, Idir Boudaoud, CEO of Sensoteq, commented: “I had the pleasure of attending the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, which showcased the pace and scale of the region as it embarks on an ambitious mineral growth strategy. The potential for the Kingdom to establish itself as an international mining leader is strengthened by the sovereign wealth (PIF) joint venture with Ma’aden, which will directly invest up to US$3B in international iron ore, copper, nickel, and lithium projects.”
“Sensoteq first entered the Saudi Arabia market in 2022, providing condition monitoring technologies for the Oil and Gas industry. As the Kingdom embarks on strategic growth within the minerals space, we look forward to supporting the digitalisation of new and existing mining operations to facilitate maximum mine machine productivity,” Boudaoud adds.
The January showcase ably demonstrated what Northern Ireland has to offer as a vibrant and highly sophisticated advanced manufacturing and engineering sector to the region.
“Northern Ireland machinery manufacturers can help Saudi mining companies optimise their materials handling operations,” enthuses Jain. “As well as providing a great platform, the event also helped our in-market staff expand their knowledge of the sector and meet potential end-users and equipment distributors in the mining sector.”
We will see greater collaboration between Northern Ireland firms and Saudi stakeholders in the near future,” states Jain. “The preferred route to market is through local Saudi distributors who can offer 24×7 aftermarket support. Invest Northern Ireland will work closely with in-market heavy machinery distributors and Northern Irish manufacturers and help facilitate their introductions for long-term associations.”
