Riyadh Set to Host the Sixth Edition of the Future Minerals Forum in January 2027

Future Minerals Forum 2027 in Riyadh

In an exciting announcement by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia, the capital, Riyadh, has been chosen as the location for the sixth edition of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF). This prestigious event will take place from January 12 to 14, 2027, under the theme "Global Collaboration for Resilient Mineral Supply."

The FMF has rapidly become a key platform for discussing the future of the mining industry, attracting governmental representatives, industry leaders, and global stakeholders. The previous edition in January 2026 showcased the event's growing influence, drawing participants from 175 countries, including officials from 91 nations and over 64 governmental and non-governmental organizations. The forum witnessed a remarkable signing of 132 agreements and memoranda of understanding, accumulating a staggering value exceeding $26.7 billion (100 billion SAR). This brings the total of such agreements from the past five editions to 398, totaling over $75.2 billion (282 billion SAR).

The upcoming FMF 2027 will focus on key areas such as mobilizing financial resources, accelerating project developments, and reducing production timelines to enhance mineral supplies and develop value chains within Saudi Arabia and emerging supplier regions. These regions include the super-region encompassing Africa, West Asia, Central Asia, and Latin America.

The forum will be led by a ministerial roundtable, which will bring together governments, industry leaders, multilateral organizations, and financial and academic institutions. A special feature, the "Access to Finance" initiative, will connect investors with scalable projects, while sessions called "State of the Sector" will provide valuable insights into raw materials and market analysis, extending the existing Mineral Futures Barometer. Additionally, Leadership Roundtables and Knowledge Exchange meetings will foster solutions to strengthen supply chains.

The FMF is positioned to advance discussions about the minerals sector from aspirations to partnerships, investments, and projects. It connects Saudi Arabia's mining and industrial opportunities with international capital, technology, and expertise. Over recent years, the FMF has evolved alongside Saudi Arabia's mining sector, where exploration expenditure soared from $54.7 million (205 million SAR) in 2020 to a remarkable $362.7 million (1.36 billion SAR) by 2025, with active exploration companies rising from six to 191.

Recently, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy, Industry, and Mineral Resources, revealed significant discoveries in the Jabal Sayid Rare Earth Elements Project in the Medina region. These studies estimated resources of approximately 114 million tons of ore with high concentrations of heavy rare earth elements.

The FMF 2027 will actively contribute to the objectives of the Comprehensive Mining and Minerals Industries Strategy. A global appeal will be made to diversify mineral supply chains, enhance mining capabilities, and establish a more resilient mineral ecosystem. For registration and further information, please visit futuremineralsforum.com.

For inquiries, contact Mustafa Al Refaie at [email protected] or call +966 55 725 1006.