22 hrs ago
Saudi Arabia Reports 110 Million Tonnes of Uranium-Bearing Ore
Saudi Arabia says it found a very large amount of rock containing uranium near Madinah.
The amount is about 110 million tonnes of ore, not 110 million tonnes of pure uranium.
Scientists have not yet said how much uranium is inside the rock.
They also found rare earth elements, which are useful for electronics and clean-energy equipment.
Saudi Arabia wants to develop mining as part of its Vision 2030 economic plans.
The country also wants to build a civilian nuclear energy program.
Officials say their nuclear plans are for peaceful purposes.
The discovery could help Saudi Arabia obtain more minerals at home and rely less on oil.
Other countries are watching because uranium and rare earths are important strategic resources.
Saudi Arabia says geological exploration identified about 110 million tonnes of uranium-bearing ore in the Madinah region.
The reported figure refers to total ore, not 110 million tonnes of pure uranium.
Officials have not disclosed uranium concentrations or how much could be commercially extracted.
The deposit also contains significant rare earth elements, especially heavy rare earths.
The findings may support Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 mining goals and planned civilian nuclear energy program.
- Who
- Saudi Arabia, represented by Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, announced the finding.
- What
- Geological exploration identified an estimated 110 million tonnes of uranium-bearing ore and significant heavy rare earth elements.
- Where
- The ore was identified in Saudi Arabia’s Madinah region, and the announcement was made in Vienna.
- When
- The announcement was made during an International Atomic Energy Agency conference; the article does not provide a specific date.
- Why
- The discovery could support Saudi Arabia’s mining-sector expansion, economic diversification, critical-mineral strategy and planned civilian nuclear energy program.
Key facts
- Reported ore volume
- Approximately 110 million tonnes
- Location
- Madinah region, Saudi Arabia
- Additional resources
- Significant quantities of rare earth elements, particularly heavy rare earths
- Uranium estimate
- The uranium concentration and commercially recoverable amount have not been disclosed
- Economic framework
- Vision 2030 economic diversification program
- Potential uses
- Future civilian nuclear energy, electronics, renewable-energy equipment and advanced manufacturing
- Announcement venue
- An International Atomic Energy Agency conference in Vienna
Sources
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