In a landmark moment for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s mining sector, the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) recently announced a massive resource addition of 7.8 million ounces of gold. This discovery, centered around the flagship Mansourah Massarah mine and several other strategic sites, marks a significant milestone in the Kingdom’s journey to establish mining as the “third pillar” of its economy, alongside oil and petrochemicals.
The announcement, made in January 2026, serves as a powerful validation of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 strategy. It underscores the immense, untapped potential of the Arabian Shield, a geological formation that is rapidly becoming one of the world’s most exciting frontiers for precious and base metals.
A Breakdown of the discovery
The 7.8-million-ounce addition is the result of an intensive, world-class exploration program that utilized advanced drilling and satellite imaging technologies. The resources are distributed across four primary areas:
- Mansourah massarah (flagship): This site alone contributed a net increase of 0 million ounces. The total mineral resource at this flagship project now stands at approximately 10.4 million ounces of gold, with an impressive average grade of 2.8 grams per tonne (g/t).
- Wadi Al Jaww: Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the report is the “maiden” resource at Wadi Al Jaww. Identified in just over a year of drilling, this new discovery added 08 million ounces, proving that the region contains entirely new gold belts yet to be fully mapped.
- Uruq 2/21 and Umm As Salam: These sites collectively added 67 million ounces. Their proximity to existing processing infrastructure at Mansourah Massarah makes them highly economical for rapid development.
- Central Arabian Gold Region (CAGR): Beyond the core sites, drilling in the CAGR has identified new mineralized zones and potential extensions for historic mines like Mahd Ad Dahab, the Kingdom’s oldest operating gold mine.
Technology and innovation: the “digital mine”
The scale of this resource addition is not merely a stroke of luck; it is the product of Ma’aden’s aggressive digital transformation. The Mansourah Massarah site is the Kingdom’s first “Digital Mine,” employing a suite of advanced technologies:
- Pressure oxidation (POX): Mansourah Massarah is equipped with sophisticated POX technology, allowing for the processing of refractory ores—complex ores that are typically difficult to extract gold from. This capability is crucial for maximizing the yield from the high-grade discoveries recently reported.
- Autonomous operations: the mine utilizes IoT sensors and digital twin technology to monitor operations in real-time, improving safety and efficiency in the harsh desert environment where temperatures can exceed 50°C.
- Sustainability: to power these operations, Ma’aden has integrated a 58 MW hybrid power plant, combining traditional engines with massive solar PV arrays. This reduces the carbon footprint of gold production, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s “Green Initiative.”
Strategic significance: mining as the third pillar
Under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabia is seeking to diversify its GDP away from hydrocarbons. The mining sector is targeted to contribute $75 billion to the economy by 2030.
Economic diversification
At current market prices (roughly $2,400 to $2,700 per ounce in early 2026), the 7.8 million ounces of gold represent a potential value of over $20 billion. While this value will be realized over decades of production, it provides the “cash cow” necessary to fund further exploration into base metals like copper, nickel, and lithium—minerals essential for the global energy transition.
Strengthening the supply chain
By increasing domestic gold production, Saudi Arabia enhances its position in the global precious metals market. The discovery also attracts foreign direct investment (FDI). Ma’aden’s joint ventures with international giants like Ivanhoe Electric and Barrick Gold are already bringing global expertise and cutting-edge exploration tools (like the Typhoon geophysical system) to the Kingdom.
Job creation and regional development
Large-scale mining projects like Mansourah Massarah act as economic engines for remote regions. They require thousands of skilled workers, from geologists and engineers to logistics and environmental specialists. Ma’aden has committed to high “Saudization” rates, ensuring that the local workforce is the primary beneficiary of this mineral wealth.
Looking ahead: the “next gold rush”?
Ma’aden’s CEO, Robert Wilt, has noted that these discoveries are likely “just the tip of the iceberg.” The 2026 exploration program remains in full swing, with a focus on extending the depth of current pits and exploring the 125 km strike along the Mansourah Massarah trend.
| Feature | Mansourah Massarah Details |
| New Resource Addition | 3.0 Million Ounces (Net) |
| Total Gold Resource | 10.4 Million Ounces |
| Average Grade | 2.8 g/t Au |
| Annual Production Capacity | 250,000 Ounces |
| Technology Used | POX, Carbon-in-Leach, Digital Twin |
The discovery of 7.8 million ounces is more than just a corporate success for Ma’aden; it is a signal to the global mining industry that the Arabian Shield is a world-class Tier 1 mining jurisdiction. As exploration continues and more “maiden” resources like Wadi Al Jaww are defined, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is well on its way to becoming a global heavyweight in the gold industry.
