Saudi Arabia Unveils Massive Uranium and Rare Earth Ore Discovery in Madinah Region

Saudi Arabia has discovered 110 million tonnes of ore containing uranium, marking one of the most significant rare earth discoveries globally, according to Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.

Speaking at the IAEA General Conference in Vienna on Tuesday, Prince Abdulaziz stated that the discovery in Madinah is part of the kingdom's broader initiative to increase investments in its energy and mining sectors.

Exploration and geological studies at the Jabal Sayid project in the Madinah region have revealed ore containing high concentrations of rare earth elements, particularly heavy rare earth elements, alongside promising concentrations of uranium, the minister announced.

This positions the project among the most significant rare earth mineral resource sites currently under development globally. As the largest Arab economy, Saudi Arabia continues to invest in diversifying its energy and mineral resources by building domestic capabilities and fostering effective international partnerships, as reported by Al Arabiya TV.

The announcement follows a recent US-Saudi deal for a civilian nuclear programme in the kingdom. Signed in July alongside a bilateral protection pact, the agreement establishes the foundation for a long-term partnership.

Developing the domestic mining sector remains a core pillar of Saudi Arabia's economic diversification agenda, further supported by recent co-operation frameworks and partnerships involving entities like Ma’aden and MP Materials to process rare earth minerals and produce associated uranium.