Saudi Energy Minister: Working on a National Program to Explore Uranium

The Minister of Energy and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, stated that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is proceeding with the construction of a diverse and sustainable national energy mix, which includes nuclear energy alongside other sources, within a robust regulatory framework that aligns with the Kingdom’s international commitments and the highest standards of security, safety, and nuclear safeguards.

He added, during the Kingdom’s statement at the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), that the world is witnessing rapid growth in energy demand driven by economic, technological, and industrial expansion, making the diversification of energy sources and enhancing their reliability and sustainability an essential requirement to support economic growth and supply security.

He emphasized that Saudi Arabia has, over decades, solidified its position as a reliable energy source and an active partner in stabilizing global markets, while simultaneously implementing a comprehensive vision to enhance the sustainability of the energy sector and develop its various resources.

He noted that the National Nuclear Energy Project is executing an integrated program to explore uranium resources and assess the economic viability of exploiting them through several interconnected pathways, including the extraction of uranium associated with phosphoric acid produced by the phosphate fertilizer industry in northern Saudi Arabia, leveraging the Kingdom’s position as one of the world’s largest producers and exporters of phosphate fertilizers.

He pointed out that pilot operations conducted in cooperation with the French company Orano showed promising economic indicators for extracting uranium from these processes, adding that the collaboration between the two sides was crowned with the signing of a memorandum of understanding during Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to France last August.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman also revealed that exploration and geological studies at the Jabal Sayid project in the Medina region have identified estimated resources of approximately 110 million tons of ore containing high concentrations of rare earth minerals, particularly heavy elements, in addition to promising indicators of uranium presence, placing the project among the leading rare earth development projects globally.

He added that this direction was reinforced through Saudi-US cooperation during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s visit to the United States last November in the field of critical minerals and supply chains, which resulted in industrial partnerships to develop processing and separation capabilities for rare earth elements and co-produced uranium between Saudi company Ma’aden and US company MP Materials.

He affirmed that the Kingdom’s ambition does not stop at exporting raw materials or mineral concentrates; rather, it aims to build an integrated industrial and economic value chain starting from exploration and mining, passing through processing, separation, and refining, and culminating in the production of rare earth oxides and yellowcake, thereby achieving the highest added value for the national economy.

He clarified that countries’ choices in the field of energy and natural resources should be based on their economic conditions, national capabilities, and available resources, noting that what suits one country may not be suitable for another, given differences in resources, industries, and infrastructure.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman stressed that the Kingdom is exercising its inherent right, guaranteed by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, to develop peaceful uses of nuclear energy without discrimination, affirming that its peaceful nuclear program is based on transparency, openness, and international cooperation.

He stated, “The Kingdom is not developing its peaceful nuclear program in isolation from the international community, nor through activities managed in secret hideouts or hidden facilities deep within mountains. Rather, it is doing so through trusted international partnerships that enhance confidence and support the nuclear non-proliferation regime.”

He added that the partnership with the United States exemplifies this approach, noting that cooperation between the two countries encompasses the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, as well as critical minerals and supply chain security, and was recently crowned by the signing of an agreement on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

He affirmed that, in line with its stated policies and transparent approach, the Kingdom has established voluntary nuclear safeguards arrangements within its cooperation with the United States, subject to the oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in accordance with applicable regulations.

Crown Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman reaffirmed the Kingdom’s full support for the IAEA and its commitment to continuing constructive cooperation with member states to enhance international confidence and contribute to achieving a safer, more sustainable, and prosperous future for all.

He also sent a direct message to critics of the Saudi nuclear program, emphasizing that some recent claims reflect a misunderstanding of international agreements and of the Kingdom’s capabilities and national achievements.

He stated that Saudi Arabia operates with full transparency and will continue to develop its programs in collaboration with its international partners and the IAEA, aiming to set a benchmark for the peaceful use of nuclear energy and the harnessing of mineral resources to serve development and humanity, stressing that energy security remains the foundation for economic growth and sustainable development.