Saudi Arabia is set to welcome the world’s leading figures in the mineral sector to the fourth edition of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF), scheduled to take place from 14th to 16th January 2025. The event, which will be held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, is organised under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.
The FMF, a pioneering government-led initiative by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, has swiftly become the preeminent global platform for discourse and collaboration in the mining and mineral sectors. Since its inception in 2022, the forum has been at the forefront of fostering international cooperation, championing sustainability, and fortifying the supply chain for critical minerals essential to the global economy. The theme for the 2025 edition, “Delivering Impact,” aims to build on these foundational achievements.
His Excellency Mr Bandar Alkhorayef, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, emphasised the forum’s significance, stating that the FMF has evolved into a critical gathering for a diverse array of stakeholders. This includes governments, mining companies, financial institutions, research centres, and academic institutions, all of whom play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the mineral sector.
“The FMF provides an unparalleled platform to address the myriad challenges confronting the mining and minerals sector. It offers opportunities to devise concrete solutions that are applicable at both regional and international levels,” Alkhorayef said.
A key highlight of the forum will be the Ministerial Roundtable on 14th January, which is expected to attract participation from 100 countries. This roundtable will feature working groups comprising government bodies and 40 organisations, including international NGOs and trade associations. These groups will collaborate on implementing strategies and initiatives aimed at driving sustainable development and innovation across the global mineral sector.
Following the Ministerial Roundtable, the conference and exhibition, held on 15th and 16th January, will offer participants insights from leading experts on a range of critical topics. This year’s programme will focus on several key areas, including the role of critical minerals, investment partnerships, and the impact of green technology and AI on the industry.
In anticipation of the event, several prominent figures from the mining, mineral, and industrial sectors have already been confirmed as speakers. These include Tom Palmer, CEO of Newmont Corporation; Jonathan Price, President and CEO of Teck Resources; Dominic Barton, Chairman of Rio Tinto; Mark Cutifani, Chairman of Vale Base Metals; Robert Friedland, Founder and Co-CEO of Ivanhoe Mines; Bob Wilt, CEO of Ma’aden; Jeremy Weir, Chairman and CEO of Trafigura; and Duncan Wanblad, CEO of Anglo American.
The FMF has been instrumental in launching several progressive initiatives, particularly in the regions spanning Africa, Western and Central Asia, and Latin America, collectively referred to as the “Super Region.” Notable achievements from previous forums include the development of a regional critical minerals framework, the establishment of green metals hubs powered by renewable energy, and the creation of centres of excellence focused on capacity building across mineral value chains.
The third edition of the FMF, held in 2023, attracted over 14,000 participants from 133 countries, including ministers, senior government officials, and top executives from global mining and mineral companies. The forum also witnessed the signing of 75 mineral deals, collectively valued at approximately SAR 75 billion.