Saudi Arabia has climbed to 10th place in the global Mining Investment Attractiveness Index for 2025, marking a leap of 13 positions in a single year and representing a 14.3% improvement. The Kingdom is the only Asian country to feature in the top 10 of this ranking, a milestone that reflects the transformative impact of Saudi Arabia’s mining sector reforms under Vision 2030.
From 104th to 10th: A Decade of Transformation
The scale of Saudi Arabia’s ascent in global mining competitiveness is striking. In 2013, the Kingdom ranked 104th in the index. By 2024, it had moved up to 23rd place, and the 2025 results now position it firmly in the top 10. This trajectory reflects a deliberate and sustained effort to overhaul mining regulation, governance, and infrastructure in line with Vision 2030’s goal of making the mining sector a third pillar of the national economy alongside oil and petrochemicals.
First Globally in Three Key Metrics
Saudi Arabia ranked first in the world across three sub-indices in the 2025 survey. The Kingdom topped the global ranking for clarity of mining regulations and efficiency of administrative processes, recording an extraordinary 558% improvement in this metric. This was driven by the implementation of the new Mining Investment Law, the restructuring of sector governance, and the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources’ intensified regulatory oversight.
The Kingdom also ranked first globally for regulatory consistency and absence of conflict, as well as for the mining tax regime — two indicators that directly influence investor confidence and long-term capital commitment. Saudi Arabia ranked second globally in environmental regulation clarity and stability, and third in handling land claims and community development, rounding out a top-tier performance across the board.
Licensing and Exploration at Record Highs
The index improvements are matched by equally strong operational metrics. In 2025, Saudi Arabia issued 61 mining exploitation licenses to establish mines, representing total investment commitments of SAR 44 billion — a 221% increase compared to the 21 licenses issued in 2024. The number of active exploration companies rose from just six in 2020 to 226 in 2024, while active exploration licenses reached 1,108 by the end of 2025, up from 500 in 2020, a 104% increase in five years.
Other notable improvements include a 211% jump in the judicial system indicator and 203% growth in the geological database quality indicator, supported by the substantial data added through the Kingdom’s geological survey program. Infrastructure quality also improved markedly, with enhanced access to roads, power, communications, and water reflecting strong government support for sector development. These results collectively position Saudi Arabia as one of the most attractive mining destinations in the world.
