Policies

Exploration Enablement Program

Last updated: 27 June 2024

As part of Saudi Vision 2030, the Government of Saudi Arabia through the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources has developed an Exploration Enablement Program (EEP) focusing on mineral exploration projects within the first five years of their licence. With a budget of SAR 685 million for the period 2024–2030, the enablement is designed to encourage and increase investment in exploration for Class A minerals as listed in Annex 1 of the Mining Investment Law such as copper, lithium, and nickel. 
The EEP will support programs that:

  •  Present sound technical rationale. 
  • Apply innovative thinking and methods. 
  • Address important geoscience knowledge gaps. 
  • Contribute to the discovery of critical and strategic minerals in Saudi Arabia. 
  • Transfer skills and knowledge to Saudi nationals.

The EEP provides funding for up to SAR 7 million per application, divided into two sections: Technical and Talent/Labour. The programme targets the discovery of critical and strategic minerals, providing up to SAR 4 million for technical costs like drilling and geoscience studies, and up to SAR 3 million for talent and labour costs. The programme gives priority to projects that address geoscientific knowledge gaps, use innovative exploration techniques, and contribute to the local skills and capabilities in the minerals sector. Applications must focus on greenfield exploration and are preferred if they propose accelerated timelines and prompt data sharing.
Moreover, applicants are expected to maintain the following standards throughout the programme: 

  • Provide information to the Government of Saudi Arabia that enables collaboration, innovation, and exploration, through shared and open datasets and reports. 
  • Ensure all activities are undertaken with care for the safety and welfare of workers, local communities, and the environment. 
  • Maintain a social licence to conduct activities by demonstrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance. 
  • Demonstrate capability and capacity building of local talent and labour. 
  • Ensure understanding of, and compliance with, all regulatory requirements and Laws.

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