Saudi Arabia launches SAR 777 mln geological maps project for Arabian Shield

The project inauguration

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources and Chairman of the Saudi Geological Survey Bandar bin Ibrahim Alkhorayef inaugurated today, May 28, the detailed geological maps project for the Arabian Shield region, which will be implemented in partnership with the Chinese Geological Survey, at a value of SAR 777 million.

In his speech at the inauguration ceremony, Alkhorayef said that the geological maps project is the largest comprehensive strategic initiative for the mining sector in terms of the nature of the works, the volume of outputs and the coverage area. He added that it comprises the core of the General Program of Geographical Survey, a key element in achieving the objectives of Vision 2030 in the mining sector, and a first step towards making it the third pillar of the Saudi industry.

Moreover, the project will contribute significantly to determining the detailed digital geological data of the Arabian Shield and understanding the origin of the mineral deposits formed in this region, in addition to collecting important data that will strengthen the national geological database and the national library of drilling samples.

Furthermore, all the collected data will provide Saudi and international investors with comprehensive understanding of mining sector investment opportunities, the minister added.

The detailed geological mapping project aims to produce 271 geological reports and maps of the Arabian Shield at a scale of 1:100,000. It will also contribute detailed digital geological data to the National Geological Database (NGD), enabling a better understanding of mineral deposits and identifying and exploring new reservoirs to attract investments in the mining sector.