#Saudi Arabia #Riyadh #Future Minerals Forum #Global Minerals

The Future of Global Mineral Collaboration

On January 14, 2025, a momentous gathering is set to take place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as over 85 governments converge for the fourth Future Minerals Forum (FMF). This event is expected to attract significant global attention, uniting mineral-producing and consuming countries, including 16 members from the top G20 economies. This year, the FMF's Ministerial Roundtable stands out as a key initiative aimed at driving international cooperation in mineral investments and capacity building across major mining regions such as Africa, West and Central Asia.

The Ministerial Roundtable is traditionally the opening event of the FMF, fostering dialogue among various stakeholders concerning the mining sector. This year, 50 ministers and 13 deputy ministers will discuss the tangible outcomes from the previous year’s initiatives, which aimed at developing:

• - An international framework for critical minerals
• - Centers of excellence for capacity building in sustainability, talent development, and technological innovation across Morocco, South Africa, and Saudi Arabia
• - Certification systems to ensure responsible sourcing of minerals

His Excellency Khalid Al-Mudaifer, the Deputy Minister for Mining Affairs at the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, emphasized the significance of this gathering for sustainable development in the global mining sector. He noted, “The meeting offers a vital platform for delivering solutions, establishing laws, and exploring investment opportunities that foster economic and social development in resource-producing countries.”

High-ranking officials from various mineral supply and financing nations, including Brazil, South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo, India, Egypt, Italy, Nigeria, Qatar, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Malaysia, Thailand, Morocco, Indonesia, France, the U.S., and the UK, will engage in discussions on strategies for enhancing international collaboration.

This year's discussions are poised to focus on improving cooperation among governments, industries, and communities to stimulate investments in mineral resources and foster value creation in producing countries. The urgent need for sustainable mining practices, resilient supply chains, and value-driven partnerships within the minerals industry will be highlighted.

Importantly, the results of the Ministerial Roundtable will extend beyond the duration of the event itself, evolving into a year-long initiative. Regional coordination groups will continue driving the implementation of key objectives that emerge from the discussions.

“The FMF is rapidly establishing itself as the premier global hub for collaboration and action in the minerals sector—no other platform gathers ministers and top-level industry leaders at this scale,” Al-Mudaifer concluded.

As more countries and stakeholders recognize the importance of sustainable mineral practices in today’s economy, the forthcoming forum promises to shape policies that will define the future of the mining industry for years to come.