#Saudi Arabia #Riyadh #Innovation #Future Minerals

The Future Minerals Pioneers Bootcamp: A New Era in Mining Innovation

On January 8, 2026, a significant event unfolded in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Under the esteemed patronage of His Excellency Mr. Bandar bin Ibrahim AlKhorayef, the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, the first edition of the Future Minerals Pioneers Bootcamp was inaugurated. This bootcamp marks a pivotal moment in the global minerals innovation landscape, set against the backdrop of the Future Minerals Forum.

The Future Minerals Pioneers Bootcamp was initiated to gather 356 qualified participants from 32 countries on a global stage. These participants were selected from a staggering 1,812 applications submitted from 57 nations, demonstrating the international scope and interest in the competition. Remarkably, Saudi participants comprised 68% of the cohort, with the remaining 32% representing various countries across the globe.

Running from January 8 to January 10, 2026, the bootcamp serves as a platform for these innovators to tackle pressing challenges within the minerals sector. The event's ultimate goal is to pave the way for the announcement of the competition winners on January 14, 2026, during the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh.

During the opening session, His Excellency Eng. Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer, the Deputy Minister for Industry and Mineral Resources for Mining Affairs, toured the bootcamp facilities. He engaged with the participants, evaluating their innovative solution prototypes and exploring their project presentations. His visit also included insight into the results of interactive workshops and participation in mentoring sessions that further enriched the learning experience.

Participants faced off in three core areas, dealing with six strategic challenges. These areas included:

• - Smart Technologies: Focusing on intelligent compliance solutions for mining complexes and enhancing mineral exploration processes.
• - Safety and Security: Developing proactive solutions for risk mitigation at mining sites and strengthening workforce health and safety.
• - Resource Sustainability: Addressing challenges related to circular mining practices and improving water usage efficiency throughout mining operations.

Crucial partnerships have formed the backbone of this initiative, with the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) leading as the main partner. Additionally, the Saudi Mining Services Company (ESNAD) acts as the main partner for the national competition phase. This collaboration extends to numerous national and international institutions that contribute to designing challenges, providing mentorship, and supporting the participating teams.

The bootcamp also hosts an array of esteemed local and international experts, along with jury members representing over 16 public and private sector organizations. This diverse pool of expertise significantly enhances the quality of evaluation and outcomes from the competition.

The bootcamp's program is rich with workshops and mentoring sessions dedicated to developing and evaluating solutions that align with real-world challenges faced in the mining and minerals sectors. The Future Minerals Pioneers Bootcamp represents the final phase of the Global Minerals Innovation Competition, integrating hands-on development, expert guidance, and cooperative efforts between innovators, experts, and partners. This collaboration will culminate in the selection and announcement of winners during the Future Minerals Forum 2026.

Over the past four years, the Future Minerals Forum has established itself as a crucial global platform to address pressing challenges within the mining sector. It aims to accelerate investments and promote responsible minerals supply chains, thereby reinforcing the Kingdom's growing role as a leading architect of the future of minerals worldwide. For more details about the Future Minerals Forum, visit www.futuremineralsforum.com.


This bootcamp embodies the spirit of innovation and collaboration vital for overcoming the contemporary challenges in the mining industry, setting the stage for future developments that will benefit not just Saudi Arabia but the global minerals sector as a whole.