110 MILLION TONS OF RARE EARTHS AND URANIUM DISCOVERED IN SAUDI ARABIA’S MEDINA

Tue 15 September 2026:

Kingdom highlights mineral wealth and stresses transparency as it advances civil nuclear ambitions

Saudi Arabia has identified around 110 million tons of raw materials containing uranium concentrations in the Medina region, Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said Monday.

Speaking at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference in Vienna, the minister said Riyadh was seeking to capitalize on its broad energy and mineral resources as part of efforts to diversify the economy and strengthen long-term supply security.

He said expanding beyond traditional energy resources has become increasingly important for supporting economic growth and ensuring reliable supplies.

Uranium Resources Add to Saudi Nuclear Ambitions

The reported discovery adds a significant resource dimension to Saudi Arabia’s plans to develop a civilian nuclear energy sector. Riyadh has been pursuing nuclear power as part of its broader strategy to diversify its energy mix, develop domestic capabilities and reduce its reliance on hydrocarbons.

Saudi Arabia has also been exploring uranium mining and the possibility of using domestically sourced uranium in its future nuclear fuel cycle.

The kingdom’s nuclear plans have attracted international attention because of its regional security environment and its long-term interest in developing nuclear capabilities. Saudi officials have repeatedly said their program is intended for peaceful purposes.

__________________________________________________________________________

https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22

__________________________________________________________________________

US Nuclear Agreement Under International Oversight

Addressing the kingdom’s civilian nuclear program and its recent agreement with Washington, Prince Abdulaziz said the deal would operate under the US 123 Agreement, “special voluntary safeguard arrangements,” and oversight by the IAEA.

The framework has been closely watched because cooperation between Washington and Riyadh on nuclear technology could have implications for the wider Middle East, where concerns over Iran’s nuclear activities have heightened regional security sensitivities.

Saudi Arabia has previously indicated that it wants greater control over its civilian nuclear fuel cycle, including uranium resources, while maintaining that its nuclear ambitions are peaceful.

Riyadh Rejects Secrecy Concerns

The Saudi minister also sought to address concerns over the kingdom’s nuclear plans, arguing that Riyadh does not intend to pursue its program outside international oversight.

The Kingdom does not seek to develop a nuclear program in isolation from the international community, “nor through activities conducted in secrecy or facilities concealed deep within mountains,” he said, in an apparent reference to Iran’s decades-long underground nuclear activities.

“The Kingdom follows a clear approach founded on transparency, openness and international cooperation,” he said.

Nuclear and Mineral Development Part of Economic Diversification

Saudi Arabia’s efforts to develop uranium resources and civilian nuclear power form part of its broader economic diversification strategy, alongside investments in mining, renewable energy, technology and other non-oil industries.

The kingdom remains one of the world’s leading oil producers, but its Vision 2030 strategy seeks to reduce the economy’s dependence on crude oil revenues.

Saudi officials say developing domestic mineral resources could create new industries, attract investment and strengthen supply chains, while nuclear energy could eventually provide another source of low-carbon electricity alongside the kingdom’s growing renewable-energy sector.

The reported uranium-bearing resources therefore represent not only a potential energy asset but also a strategically important component of Saudi Arabia’s expanding mining and nuclear ambitions.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

__________________________________________________________________________

FOLLOW INDEPENDENT PRESS:

WhatsApp CHANNEL
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAtNxX8fewmiFmN7N22