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Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, January 15, 2026 — The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has announced the successful conclusion of the fifth edition of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF), with a record attendance of 21,500 participants, including investment leaders, heads of major mining companies, experts, and technical specialists from around the world.
The Forum, held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh from January 13 to 15, 2026, witnessed the signing of 132 agreements and Memoranda of Understanding totaling SAR 100 billion. These covered a range of critical areas, including exploration and mining, financing, research and development, innovation, sustainability, value-added supply chains, and mining industries.
In his closing remarks, His Excellency the Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, extended his gratitude and appreciation to the Kingdom’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. He emphasized that this support has enabled the Forum and the Ministerial Roundtable to evolve into a global platform representing the international mining community, moving from dialogue and ideas to action and impact.
Al-Khorayef noted that the unprecedented momentum witnessed over the three days of FMF 2026 reflects progress not only at the event level, but across the global mining ecosystem. He added that, within five years, the Forum has advanced at a remarkable pace, becoming a unifying platform for all stakeholders and laying the foundation for year-round collaboration.
On sector transformation, the Minister explained that real progress is closely linked to accelerating the adoption of mining technologies as a key driver of growth and a means of addressing challenges. He highlighted the Kingdom’s efforts to reform its regulatory framework and improve the investment environment by reviewing procedures and updating regulations to meet international investor needs. These efforts include streamlining licensing processes, providing accessible geological data to enable informed investment decisions, and launching incentive programs to support exploration and attract partners across the entire value chain.
Al-Khorayef lauded the efforts and support of partners, sponsors, participants, and organizing teams, stressing that the achievements to date form a solid foundation for Saudi Arabia to become a global mineral hub, adding that the next phase requires continued collaboration, innovation, and openness.
Over the three days, the Forum featured sessions addressing key themes such as value creation, cooperation across mineral supply chains, infrastructure investment, untapped resources in Africa, West and Central Asia, and Latin America, as well as strategies for building resilient supply chains.
More than 450 speakers, including ministers, ambassadors, heads of delegations, and industry experts, took part in discussions exploring investment partnerships, community development, new mining frontiers, AI-enabled decision-making, and the integration of local economies into the mining value chain to support a sustainable future.
Alongside the conference, the international exhibition featured 274 exhibitors and 13 official country pavilions from Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Sweden, Austria, Brazil, Egypt, Morocco, Pakistan, Sudan, and Mauritania. The exhibition was organized across four main zones:
- An outdoor exhibition for heavy machinery and equipment
- A technology zone showcasing cutting-edge innovations
- An indoor exhibition for major global companies
- An exploration zone dedicated to junior exploration companies and future discoveries
Participants widely praised the fifth edition of the Forum, highlighting the Kingdom’s capabilities and assets that position it as a global hub for mineral processing. They emphasized the importance of FMF’s continued annual convening as a catalyst for sector development and accelerated exploration, particularly amid rising global demand for critical minerals essential to renewable energy and advanced technologies.
About the Future Minerals Forum
The Future Minerals Forum (FMF), launched in 2022, is the world's premier platform for the minerals industry. FMF stands at the forefront of global industry connections, bringing together governments, international organizations, and stakeholders to collectively shape the future of the minerals industry. With 18,000 participants from 165 countries, including 89 government representatives, FMF serves as a catalyst for global collaboration.
The Forum is renowned for its unique and audacious approach, confronting industry challenges head-on through genuine dialogue to promote a responsible and resilient mineral supply chain, enable development, advance global electrification goals, enhance global security, and accelerate the digital revolution.
Through the Ministerial Roundtable, conference, and exhibition, and specialized Mineral Technology and Exploration zones, the global conversation on minerals takes center stage, driving innovation and collaboration toward a sustainable future.