Saudi Arabia Uncovers Massive Mineral Deposit Worth Billions in the Arabian Shield Saudi Arabia has announced the discovery of an enormous mineral resource containing an estimated 11 million tonnes of high-grade gold, silver, copper, and zinc ores in the western part of the kingdom, marking one of the biggest finds in the country’s modern history. The deposit, located within the Arabian Shield region near the city of Mahd adh-Dhahab (“Cradle of Gold”) and extending across several new exploration zones, was confirmed after years of intensive drilling and geophysical surveys carried out by the Saudi Geological Survey in partnership with international mining firms. Preliminary estimates suggest the site holds: More than 1.2 million tonnes of copper ore Over 800,000 tonnes of zinc Significant quantities of gold (grading up to 18 g/t in some zones) Substantial silver credits At current market prices, the in-situ value of the contained metals is conservatively estimated to exceed $70 billion, though the actual economic benefit will depend on recovery rates and future commodity prices. Mining Minister Bandar Al-Khorayef described the discovery as a “game-changer” for Vision 2030’s goal of diversifying the economy away from oil. “This is not just a new mine — it’s a whole new mining district,” he said during a press conference in Riyadh. “It proves once again that the Arabian Shield is one of the most underexplored greenstone belts left on earth.” The government has already fast-tracked environmental and feasibility studies, with plans to open the first large-scale open-pit and underground operations as early as 2028. A tender for development rights is expected to be launched next year and is likely to attract major global players. The find comes just months after Ma’aden, the kingdom’s national mining champion, announced separate multi-metal discoveries further north, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s push to become one of the world’s top three mining investment destinations by the end of the decade. Analysts say the new deposit could eventually place the country among the top 15 global producers of copper and zinc while adding meaningful new gold and silver supply at a time when demand for battery and renewable-energy metals is surging. For now, the drills keep turning — officials hinted that resource estimates are still growing as exploration continues along the 600-kilometre mineralised corridor.