Saudi Arabia Reports 114 Million Tonnes of Rare Earth and Uranium Ore

Saudi Arabia has identified approximately 114 million tonnes of ore containing high concentrations of rare earth elements and uranium in the Madinah Region. The discovery, announced by Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman at the International Atomic Energy Agency conference in Vienna, adds a significant asset to the Kingdom’s expanding minerals portfolio.

The resources were located through geological studies at the Jabal Sayid project, which reported particularly high levels of heavy rare earth elements. This finding places the site among the significant rare earth resource developments currently underway globally, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s strategic push to secure critical mineral supply chains.

Strategic Partnerships Drive Processing Capabilities

This discovery aligns with Saudi Arabia’s 2025 agreement with the United States to cooperate on critical minerals and secure supply chains. The Kingdom is actively developing domestic processing capabilities through a partnership between state mining company Ma’aden and US-based MP Materials. This collaboration focuses on rare earth processing and separation, alongside the production of associated uranium, aiming to maximize the economic value of the identified reserves.

Uranium Recovery Supports Nuclear Energy Plans

Parallel to the rare earth findings, Saudi Arabia is advancing its National Atomic Energy Project to integrate nuclear power into its energy mix. One key track involves recovering uranium associated with phosphoric acid produced during phosphate fertilizer operations in the north. Pilot work conducted with the French company Orano has yielded promising economic indicators for this recovery process.

The Kingdom is also utilizing its Sedimentary Cover Survey Initiative to search for additional uranium deposits from conventional sources. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to diversify energy sources and develop industrial applications for critical minerals, all operating under established regulatory frameworks and international obligations.

Diversified Mineral Portfolio Expands Economic Base

The rare earth and uranium discoveries contribute to a wider portfolio that includes phosphate ores, gold, copper, zinc, silver, bauxite, magnesium, iron ore, lead, nickel, and transition metals. As noted in reports from GN auto stocks/materials: rare earths, these resources are central to Saudi Arabia’s goal of maximizing the benefits of its natural resources for both industrial and energy sectors.