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Open in the explorerOrganisations (5)Events

Production, refining and reserves

CommodityMetricValueWorld rank · shareSource
CopperMine production 202276,000 t Cu content#25 · 0.3%USGS Minerals Yearbook 2022 (copper), table 20
MagnesiteMine production 2023340,000 t gross weight magnesite—USGS MCS 2024
MagnesiteReserves 20232.8 million t gross weight magnesite#13 · 0%USGS MCS 2024
ZincMine production 202326,000 t Zn content#31 · 0.2%USGS Minerals Yearbook 2023 (zinc, tables-only release), table 16
BauxiteMine production 20255.7 million t bauxite (dry equivalent weight)#9 · 1%USGS MCS 2026
BauxiteReserves 2025180 million t bauxite (dry equivalent weight)#10 · 0.6%USGS MCS 2026
AluminaRefinery production 20251.9 million t alumina (calcined equivalent weight)#7 · 1%USGS MCS 2026
AluminiumRefinery production 2016740,000 t primary aluminium (smelter production)—USGS MCS 2017
Titanium spongeRefinery production 202512,000 t titanium sponge metal#5 · 3%USGS MCS 2026
Phosphate rockMine production 202510 million t marketable phosphate rock (gross weight)#6 · 4%USGS MCS 2026
Phosphate rockReserves 20251,000 million t marketable phosphate rock (gross weight)#11 · 1%USGS MCS 2026
UraniumResources 202346,100 t U content#20 · 0.6%NEA/IAEA Red Book 2024 (Uranium 2024), Table 1.2a, <USD 260/kgU
SulfurRefinery production 20257.2 million t S content#4 · 9%USGS MCS 2026
FeldsparMine production 2025650,000 t feldspar#10 · 2%USGS MCS 2026
Nitrogen (ammonia)Refinery production 20255.2 million t N content (ammonia)#6 · 3%USGS MCS 2026
GypsumMine production 20253.8 million t gypsum#15 · 2%USGS MCS 2026
Pumice and pumiciteMine production 2025980,000 t pumice and pumicite#4 · 5%USGS MCS 2026
SaltMine production 20252.4 million t salt#20 · 0.9%USGS MCS 2026
Sand and gravel (industrial)Mine production 20252.1 million t industrial sand and gravel#20 · 0.5%USGS MCS 2026

Policies and export measures

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  • 2025-11-18 · agreement

    United States–Saudi Arabia Critical Minerals Framework (November 2025)

    During the Saudi Crown Prince's visit to Washington, the United States and Saudi Arabia concluded a Critical Minerals Framework intended to deepen collaboration and align national strategies to diversify critical-mineral supply chains. The White House describes it as building on similar frameworks agreed with other trading partners.

    Source: The White House

  • 2025-05-13 · agreement

    United States–Saudi Arabia Memorandum of Cooperation on critical minerals (May 2025)

    The US Secretary of Energy and Saudi Arabia's Ministers of Energy and of Industry and Mineral Resources signed a memorandum of cooperation setting a framework to strengthen and secure supply chains for critical-minerals mining and processing. It anticipates joint ventures, investment in refining and processing facilities, and cooperation on workforce development and research institutions.

    Source: U.S. Department of Energy

Trade in critical minerals

Exports 2024$4.2 bn

  1. Copper$2.0 bnto China 45%, India 19%, United Arab Emirates 10% · 34 more
  2. Aluminium$1.4 bnto India 27%, South Korea 12%, Japan 8% · 58 more
  3. Titanium sponge$183 mto United States of America 50%, Japan 31%, Singapore 5% · 10 more
  4. Lead$167 mto United Arab Emirates 36%, Türkiye 18%, Pakistan 16% · 16 more
  5. Alumina$142 mto Egypt 37%, Malaysia 25%, United Arab Emirates 20% · 14 more
  6. Zinc$141 mto China 38%, Spain 30%, South Korea 15% · 15 more
  7. Nickel$55 mto India 33%, United Arab Emirates 32%, China 16% · 16 more
  8. Manganese*$35 mto United Arab Emirates 60%, Oman 21%, Spain 7% · 12 more

and 25 more commodities

Imports 2024$2.8 bn

  1. Copper$1.5 bnfrom Dem. Rep. Congo 58%, Congo 27%, Zambia 7% · 24 more
  2. Aluminium$510 mfrom Bahrain 68%, United Arab Emirates 8%, Russia 5% · 60 more
  3. Zinc$192 mfrom India 31%, Spain 22%, Belgium 14% · 24 more
  4. Barite$121 mfrom India 48%, Laos 35%, China 13% · 9 more
  5. Titanium (ilmenite)*$85 mfrom Mozambique 59%, Australia 32%, Kenya 7% · 9 more
  6. Alumina$58 mfrom United States of America 29%, Belgium 18%, France 16% · 23 more
  7. Manganese*$56 mfrom India 48%, South Africa 33%, Norway 9% · 15 more
  8. Chromium$44 mfrom China 63%, United Arab Emirates 13%, India 4% · 21 more

and 36 more commodities

Trade values in current US dollars (ores, concentrates, intermediates, chemicals and refined metal), not prices. * Includes HS codes that also cover other products. Source: CEPII BACI (HS22), Etalab Open Licence 2.0 — details.

Fiscal regime for mining

InstrumentApplies toRateLegal basis
RoyaltyTitanium (ilmenite)Class (A) 'financial consideration for exploitation' (called severance fee in the official English text) from Annex 2; licensee exempt for the first 5 years from licence issue (Art. 111). Payable in addition to income tax, or to an income-tax-equivalent amount for persons not subject to income tax4.5%net value of the mineral at the extraction point (revenue at the valuation point, i.e. first saleable product/first supply/export, less post-extraction costs, Arts. 114-117); Class (A) mineralsImplementing Regulations of the Mining Investment Law (Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministerial Decision dated 9/5/1442H), under the Mining Investment Law (Royal Decree M/140 of 19/10/1441H) · Art. 111; Annex 2in force 2021-01-01
RoyaltyIron ore, Phosphate rockClass (A) 'financial consideration for exploitation' (called severance fee in the official English text) from Annex 2; licensee exempt for the first 5 years from licence issue (Art. 111). Payable in addition to income tax, or to an income-tax-equivalent amount for persons not subject to income tax. Iron ore with Fe > 40% (iron ore Fe < 40% is Class B at SAR 2.5/t)4%net value of the mineral at the extraction point (revenue at the valuation point, i.e. first saleable product/first supply/export, less post-extraction costs, Arts. 114-117); Class (A) mineralsImplementing Regulations of the Mining Investment Law (Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministerial Decision dated 9/5/1442H), under the Mining Investment Law (Royal Decree M/140 of 19/10/1441H) · Art. 111; Annex 2in force 2021-01-01
RoyaltySand and gravel (industrial)Class (A) 'financial consideration for exploitation' (called severance fee in the official English text) from Annex 2; licensee exempt for the first 5 years from licence issue (Art. 111). Payable in addition to income tax, or to an income-tax-equivalent amount for persons not subject to income tax. Silica with quartz content > 95%3.5%net value of the mineral at the extraction point (revenue at the valuation point, i.e. first saleable product/first supply/export, less post-extraction costs, Arts. 114-117); Class (A) mineralsImplementing Regulations of the Mining Investment Law (Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministerial Decision dated 9/5/1442H), under the Mining Investment Law (Royal Decree M/140 of 19/10/1441H) · Art. 111; Annex 2in force 2021-01-01
RoyaltyNiobium, Rare earths, Titanium (rutile), Thorium, TinClass (A) 'financial consideration for exploitation' (called severance fee in the official English text) from Annex 2; licensee exempt for the first 5 years from licence issue (Art. 111). Payable in addition to income tax, or to an income-tax-equivalent amount for persons not subject to income tax. Same 3% rate for serpentinite (gemstone variety)3%net value of the mineral at the extraction point (revenue at the valuation point, i.e. first saleable product/first supply/export, less post-extraction costs, Arts. 114-117); Class (A) mineralsImplementing Regulations of the Mining Investment Law (Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministerial Decision dated 9/5/1442H), under the Mining Investment Law (Royal Decree M/140 of 19/10/1441H) · Art. 111; Annex 2in force 2021-01-01
RoyaltyBauxite, Chromium, Garnet (industrial)Class (A) 'financial consideration for exploitation' (called severance fee in the official English text) from Annex 2; licensee exempt for the first 5 years from licence issue (Art. 111). Payable in addition to income tax, or to an income-tax-equivalent amount for persons not subject to income tax. Bauxite with Al2O3 > 40%; garnet group (precious stones); same 2.5% for gemstones and semi-precious stones and jasper2.5%net value of the mineral at the extraction point (revenue at the valuation point, i.e. first saleable product/first supply/export, less post-extraction costs, Arts. 114-117); Class (A) mineralsImplementing Regulations of the Mining Investment Law (Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministerial Decision dated 9/5/1442H), under the Mining Investment Law (Royal Decree M/140 of 19/10/1441H) · Art. 111; Annex 2in force 2021-01-01
RoyaltyNickel, Tungsten, Zinc, Zirconium (zircon)Class (A) 'financial consideration for exploitation' (called severance fee in the official English text) from Annex 2; licensee exempt for the first 5 years from licence issue (Art. 111). Payable in addition to income tax, or to an income-tax-equivalent amount for persons not subject to income tax2%net value of the mineral at the extraction point (revenue at the valuation point, i.e. first saleable product/first supply/export, less post-extraction costs, Arts. 114-117); Class (A) mineralsImplementing Regulations of the Mining Investment Law (Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministerial Decision dated 9/5/1442H), under the Mining Investment Law (Royal Decree M/140 of 19/10/1441H) · Art. 111; Annex 2in force 2021-01-01
RoyaltyCopper, Gold, CadmiumClass (A) 'financial consideration for exploitation' (called severance fee in the official English text) from Annex 2; licensee exempt for the first 5 years from licence issue (Art. 111). Payable in addition to income tax, or to an income-tax-equivalent amount for persons not subject to income tax1.5%net value of the mineral at the extraction point (revenue at the valuation point, i.e. first saleable product/first supply/export, less post-extraction costs, Arts. 114-117); Class (A) mineralsImplementing Regulations of the Mining Investment Law (Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministerial Decision dated 9/5/1442H), under the Mining Investment Law (Royal Decree M/140 of 19/10/1441H) · Art. 111; Annex 2in force 2021-01-01
RoyaltyLithium, Manganese, Molybdenum, Platinum-group metals, Tantalum, Uranium, Vanadium, Beryllium, Hafnium, Lead, Asbestos, Diamond (industrial)Class (A) 'financial consideration for exploitation' (called severance fee in the official English text) from Annex 2; licensee exempt for the first 5 years from licence issue (Art. 111). Payable in addition to income tax, or to an income-tax-equivalent amount for persons not subject to income tax. Same 1% rate for agate, corundum, diaspore, leucoxene, pyrite and xenotime1%net value of the mineral at the extraction point (revenue at the valuation point, i.e. first saleable product/first supply/export, less post-extraction costs, Arts. 114-117); Class (A) mineralsImplementing Regulations of the Mining Investment Law (Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministerial Decision dated 9/5/1442H), under the Mining Investment Law (Royal Decree M/140 of 19/10/1441H) · Art. 111; Annex 2in force 2021-01-01
RoyaltyPotashClass (B) financial consideration per tonne, Annex 3. Other Class B amounts (SAR/t): fluorite 15, trona 15, magnesite 38, wollastonite 39, perlite 37, diatomite 35, high-grade silica sand 7.5, bentonite 4.5, feldspar 4.5, salt 4.5, kaolin 3.25, gypsum 3, zeolite 3, bauxite (Al2O3 < 40%) 2.5, iron ore (Fe < 40%) 2.510 SAR/trevenue from disposing of the mined ore or mineral, per tonne (Class B)Implementing Regulations of the Mining Investment Law (Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministerial Decision dated 9/5/1442H), under the Mining Investment Law (Royal Decree M/140 of 19/10/1441H) · Art. 112; Annex 3in force 2021-01-01
RoyaltyFluorspar, Soda ashClass (B): fluorite and trona (mapped to soda-ash)15 SAR/tper tonne of ore or mineral mined (Class B)Implementing Regulations of the Mining Investment Law (Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministerial Decision dated 9/5/1442H), under the Mining Investment Law (Royal Decree M/140 of 19/10/1441H) · Art. 112; Annex 3in force 2021-01-01
RoyaltyMagnesiteClass (B) financial consideration38 SAR/tper tonne of ore or mineral mined (Class B)Implementing Regulations of the Mining Investment Law (Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministerial Decision dated 9/5/1442H), under the Mining Investment Law (Royal Decree M/140 of 19/10/1441H) · Art. 112; Annex 3in force 2021-01-01
RoyaltyWollastoniteClass (B) financial consideration39 SAR/tper tonne of ore or mineral mined (Class B)Implementing Regulations of the Mining Investment Law (Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministerial Decision dated 9/5/1442H), under the Mining Investment Law (Royal Decree M/140 of 19/10/1441H) · Art. 112; Annex 3in force 2021-01-01
RoyaltyPerliteClass (B) financial consideration37 SAR/tper tonne of ore or mineral mined (Class B)Implementing Regulations of the Mining Investment Law (Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministerial Decision dated 9/5/1442H), under the Mining Investment Law (Royal Decree M/140 of 19/10/1441H) · Art. 112; Annex 3in force 2021-01-01
RoyaltyDiatomiteClass (B) financial consideration35 SAR/tper tonne of ore or mineral mined (Class B)Implementing Regulations of the Mining Investment Law (Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministerial Decision dated 9/5/1442H), under the Mining Investment Law (Royal Decree M/140 of 19/10/1441H) · Art. 112; Annex 3in force 2021-01-01
RoyaltyBarite, Graphite (natural), Kyanite and related minerals, Mica (scrap and flake), Talc and pyrophylliteAnnex headed 'Class (C)' in the English text but listing industrial minerals with a % of sales: barite, graphite, kyanite/andalusite/sillimanite, mica, olivine (other uses), pyroxenite, talc and unlisted industrial minerals, all 5%5%salesImplementing Regulations of the Mining Investment Law (Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ministerial Decision dated 9/5/1442H), under the Mining Investment Law (Royal Decree M/140 of 19/10/1441H) · Arts. 112-113; Annex 3/4in force 2021-01-01
Corporate income tax (mining)All mineralsGeneral rate for resident capital companies (non-Saudi share) and non-residents with a permanent establishment; no mining-specific rate (oil and hydrocarbon producers pay 50-85%, natural gas investment 20%). Saudi/GCC shareholders pay zakat (2.5%) instead20%tax base (taxable income)Income Tax Law (Royal Decree M/1 of 15/1/1425H), as amended up to Royal Decree M/153 of 5/11/1441H · Art. 7(a)in force 2004-03-06
OtherAll mineralsClass (A) licensee not subject to income tax (i.e. Saudi/GCC-owned share subject to zakat) pays an amount equal to the income tax it would owe, less zakat due, as a financial consideration (Law Art. 50(1)(a)); computation in Regulations Art. 129—Mining Investment Law (Royal Decree M/140 of 19/10/1441H) · Art. 50in force 2021-01-01

Rates and terms as set in the cited law or regulation; agreements with individual projects can differ. Not legal or tax advice.

Deals and financing (5)

  1. 2025-11-19 · Joint venture · announced

    Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) → MP Materials; U.S. Department of War · Saudi rare earth refinery

    Ma'aden, MP Materials and the US Department of War agreed to develop a rare earth refinery in Saudi Arabia, with Ma'aden holding at least 51% and MP plus the Department jointly 49%.

    official release

  2. 2024-09-16 · Acquisition · signed · US$1,100 m

    Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) → Alcoa Corporation · Ma'aden aluminium joint venture (Ras Al Khair bauxite mine, alumina refinery and smelter)

    Alcoa agreed to sell its 25.1% interest in the Ma'aden aluminium joint venture to Ma'aden for about USD 1.1 billion, comprising about 86 million Ma'aden shares (USD 950 million) and USD 150 million in cash.

    official release

  3. 2024-07-09 · Joint venture · signed

    Obeikan Group (Obeikan Investment Company) → Critical Metals Corp. · Arabian New Energy lithium hydroxide plant (Saudi Arabia)

    Critical Metals Corp took over European Lithium's joint venture with Saudi Arabia's Obeikan Group and signed a shareholders' agreement for Arabian New Energy, a planned lithium hydroxide plant in Saudi Arabia.

    official release

  4. 2024-04-30 · Acquisition · signed · US$1,500 m

    Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) → The Mosaic Company · Ma'aden Wa'ad Al Shamal Phosphate Company (MWSPC)

    Mosaic agreed to exchange its 25% stake in Ma'aden Wa'ad Al Shamal Phosphate Company for 111 million new Ma'aden shares valued at about USD 1.5 billion.

    official release

  5. 2023-01-11 · Joint venture · completed · US$126.4 m

    Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma'aden) → Ivanhoe Electric Inc. · Ma'aden Ivanhoe Electric Exploration and Development (Arabian Shield)

    Ma'aden bought 9.9% of Ivanhoe Electric for about USD 126 million and the two formed a 50:50 joint venture to explore about 48,500 km2 of the Arabian Shield for copper, nickel, gold and silver using Typhoon surveys.

    official release

Mines and facilities (10)

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