RIYADH: In line with Saudi Arabia’s mining expansion drive, the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority have sealed an agreement outlining the process for granting mining licenses within the area.
Spread over 130,000 sq. km in the north of the Kingdom and extending toward the northern border, the King Salman Royal Nature Reserve incorporates three existing ecological areas: Harrat Al-Harrah Conservation, Al-Tubaiq Natural Reserve, and Al-Khanfah Wildlife Sanctuary.
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer, vice minister of mining affairs. This development represents a pivotal step in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to bolster its mining sector and diversify its economic landscape in line with Vision 2030.
This agreement comes as a response to a royal order aimed at establishing a mechanism that enables the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources to secure the necessary approvals for issuing mining licenses within the royal reserves.
The mining mechanism involves monitoring of various aspects within the reserve, including mining areas, complexes, licenses, mineral belts, and significant mineral and ore sites. These insights will help in shaping the reserve’s future planning and project designs, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s vision for economic diversification.
Furthermore, the mechanism outlines specific requirements for license applicants within the reserve. These include the submission of an environmental impact study, the development of a site rehabilitation plan, and measures to safeguard water, the environment, and wildlife resources against any violations or damage.
The mechanism also determines the statutory procedures resulting from issuing approvals within protected lands, in accordance with the Mining Investment Law and its executive regulations. It emphasizes compliance with mining and environmental laws, as well as any requirements set forth by the reserve authority.
The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority, dedicated to restoring ecosystems and conserving habitats and wildlife, has been officially designated as a government member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
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