Saudi Arabia Forges Sustainable Mining Future with Green Initiatives
As Saudi Arabia’s mining sector undergoes significant transformation to enhance its role in economic diversification, the Kingdom is employing a strategic approach that balances optimal natural resource exploitation with a strong commitment to environmental responsibility to foster a sustainable mining future and establish itself as a global mining and minerals hub.
The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources is spearheading a series of initiatives focused on environmental preservation within the mining sector, and enabling responsible mining practices across the entire value chain. These efforts prioritize enhancing environmental sustainability in mining projects, conserving water resources, developing vegetation cover, and reducing emissions to ensure the long-term sustainability of mining operations.
A cornerstone of the ministry's green mining strategy is the rehabilitation of mining sites. A prime example is the Saudi Arabian Mining Company's (Maaden) initiative, launched in 2013 around Al-Jalamid Phosphate Mine. This ambitious project successfully reclaimed mining lands and planted over three million native trees adapted to local climatic conditions. The initiative has resulted in the establishment of a thriving nature reserve, providing vital vegetation cover that protects the soil from erosion and offers a crucial food source for wildlife. Maaden is also integrating renewable energy into its operations, as demonstrated by the development of a 6-megawatt solar power plant to power the Mansourah-Massarah gold mine, diversifying the energy mix and significantly reducing the carbon footprint of its mining activities.
In its efforts to reduce carbon emissions, the ministry is actively pursuing the implementation of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies at selected sites. The Waad Al-Shamal power plant stands out as an exemplary model by combining an integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) system with highly efficient gas-fired generation technologies, directly contributing to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and supporting the Kingdom's overarching climate goals.
Furthermore, increasing green spaces within mining complexes and their surrounding areas is deemed a crucial step toward enhancing environmental sustainability. The ministry has overseen several impactful afforestation projects, including the planting of 130,000 trees in mining complexes, with 30,000 in Al-Urma complex and 100,000 in Al-Samman complex. These initiatives aim to improve the local climate and strengthen environmental sustainability within these industrial zones.
