Saudi Arabia Reports 110 Million Tonnes of Uranium-Bearing Ore in Madinah
Discovery of uranium and rare earth deposits comes as Riyadh expands its mining sector and pursues a civilian nuclear energy programme.
Saudi Arabia has announced the discovery of an estimated 110 million tonnes of uranium-bearing ore in the Madinah region, highlighting the kingdom’s growing ambitions in mining and nuclear energy as tensions continue to grip the Middle East.
The announcement was made by Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman during an International Atomic Energy Agency conference in Vienna. The minister said geological exploration had identified around 110 million tonnes of ore containing uranium as well as significant quantities of rare earth elements, particularly heavy rare earths.
The figure refers to the total amount of ore and does not mean Saudi Arabia has discovered 110 million tonnes of pure uranium. The kingdom has not yet provided detailed estimates of the uranium concentration or the amount that could ultimately be extracted commercially.
The discovery comes as Saudi Arabia seeks to expand its mining industry under its Vision 2030 economic diversification programme and reduce its dependence on oil revenues. Rare earth elements are considered strategically important because they are used in electronics, renewable energy equipment, advanced manufacturing and other high-technology industries.
The uranium findings could also support Riyadh’s plans to develop a domestic civilian nuclear energy programme. Saudi Arabia has been pursuing nuclear cooperation with international partners and has said it intends to use nuclear technology for peaceful purposes.
The kingdom has previously indicated that it wants to develop uranium resources domestically, including recovering uranium associated with phosphate production. Officials have maintained that its nuclear ambitions are focused on civilian energy and economic development.
The announcement comes against a backdrop of heightened geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, increasing international attention on energy security and competition for critical minerals.
Saudi Arabia is also seeking to build greater domestic control over its mineral resources. The government has identified mining as a key sector for attracting investment and diversifying the economy beyond hydrocarbons.
The reported uranium-bearing deposit and rare earth resources could therefore strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position in the global race for critical minerals while providing potential supplies for its future nuclear and industrial ambitions.
