RIYADH: Saudi Arabia’s mining sector recorded unprecedented growth in 2025, with the number of exploitation licenses soaring by 220 percent and total investments climbing to SR44 billion ($11.7 billion), according to official figures.
A report released by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources revealed that exploration spending more than doubled year on year, rising by 110 percent. At the same time, the sector’s export value reached SR56 billion, with total shipment volumes estimated at approximately 29 million tonnes.
The Kingdom’s industrial sector mirrored this upward trajectory. By the end of 2025, the total number of factories had reached 12,946, including 10,394 operational facilities employing around 903,547 workers. Saudization across the sector stood at 31 percent, underscoring ongoing efforts to strengthen workforce localization.
The data reflects growing momentum behind Saudi Arabia’s drive to unlock its vast mineral wealth and broaden its industrial base as part of Vision 2030. Central to this strategy is the ambition to position mining as the third pillar of the national economy, alongside oil and petrochemicals.
The Vision 2030 framework targets the development of more than $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources, including gold, zinc, and critical battery metals. This push is aimed at diversifying revenue streams while reinforcing the Kingdom’s role in global supply chains.
“Total investment in new factories reached approximately SR76.1 billion, while investments in factories that commenced production amounted to around SR31.2 billion in 2025,” the report stated.
It added: “The total number of jobs in licensed factories reached 903,547, with a Saudization rate of 31 percent by the end of 2025.”
The report further noted that more than 150 industrial investment opportunities were activated following the launch of a second package of standardized incentives designed to attract both local and international investors.
Saudi Arabia also recorded a sharp improvement in the global Mining Investment Attractiveness Index, rising from 104th place to 10th. This advancement was accompanied by several strategic milestones, including the establishment of specialized industrial clusters in Jeddah, Dammam and Al-Kharj, as well as the launch of a Hyundai Motor Co. manufacturing facility with an annual production capacity of 50,000 vehicles — an initiative expected to bolster localization and strengthen supply chains.
Employment in licensed factories reached 903,547 by the end of the year, maintaining a Saudization rate of 31 percent. Meanwhile, capital inflows remained robust, with SR76.1 billion invested in new factories and SR31.2 billion directed toward facilities that entered production during the year.
Digital transformation also played a pivotal role in the sector’s evolution. More than 1,800 factories benefited from Industry 4.0 initiatives, supported by comprehensive assessments carried out by the ministry. These included 1,800 Smart Industry Readiness Index evaluations and 350 advanced factory reviews aimed at improving efficiency, reducing waste, and accelerating the adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies.
By 2025, the ministry reported achieving full progress against its Vision 2030 performance targets, signaling the maturity of its institutional framework and the effectiveness of its development programs. This progress was further recognized through the attainment of the Great Place To Work – Certified accreditation.
Complementing these achievements were targeted talent development initiatives. These included the qualification of 13 graduates through the YGP Graduate Development Program, a series of specialized university outreach tours, and the advancement of 58 high-potential individuals under the Qimam program — efforts designed to cultivate the next generation of industrial and mining leaders in the Kingdom.
