Morocco and Saudi Arabia continue to strengthen their cooperation in the mining sector. The Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leïla Benali, met on Wednesday in Riyadh with the Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, on the sidelines of the fifth International Mining Conference, held from January 13 to 15 in the Saudi capital.
According to MAP news agency, this meeting provided an opportunity to review the progress of various aspects of bilateral cooperation in the field of mineral resources. Both officials emphasized that this collaboration is based on an already operational memorandum of understanding, the implementation of which has led to several coordination meetings between the technical teams of the two countries.
### Critical Minerals and Skills Development
At the heart of the discussions was the deepening of the partnership in strategic and critical minerals, which have become a central issue in global industrial value chains, particularly for energy transition and low-carbon technologies. The discussions also focused on training and skills development programs, viewed as essential levers to support the upgrading of the mining sector in both countries.
The two ministers further highlighted the increased integration of advanced technologies throughout the mining value chain, from exploration to processing, to enhance productivity, traceability, and the competitiveness of mining activities.
### Digitalization and Innovation at the Core of Priorities
Digital transformation of the sector constituted another major focus of the meeting. Officials stressed the importance of deploying digital solutions and automating mining processes, with a view to optimizing performance, reducing costs, and enhancing environmental and safety standards.
In this context, scientific research and innovation were identified as structural pillars of the partnership. Particular attention was given to the development of mining services, seen as a key vector for creating added value and economic diversification.
### Technical Coordination and Investment Attractiveness
Finally, the two parties agreed to maintain close coordination between their technical teams to ensure effective implementation of the defined orientations. This cooperation aims to strengthen support for the private sector, stimulate investments, and encourage partnerships among training institutions, research centers, and engineering firms specialized in mining professions.
Through these exchanges, Rabat and Riyadh confirm their commitment to positioning mining cooperation as a strategic axis of their economic partnership, against a global backdrop marked by the rising importance of critical resource issues and energy transition.