Riyadh to Host Sixth Future Minerals Forum in 2027

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia, Oct. 5, 2026 /CourierPR/ -- The sixth edition of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) is set to take place from January 12 to 14, 2027, in Riyadh, under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. This event, which was held in January 2026, attracted government representatives from 91 countries and more than 64 governmental and non-governmental organizations, alongside 21,500 participants from 175 countries. The forum saw the signing of 132 agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth more than USD26.7 billion (SAR100 billion), bringing the total across five editions to 398 agreements and MoUs valued at over USD75.2 billion (SAR282 billion).

The FMF has grown alongside the Kingdom's mining sector. Saudi Arabia's exploration expenditure has significantly increased, rising from USD 54.7 million (SAR 205 million) in 2020 to USD 362.7 million (SAR 1.36 billion) in 2025. The number of active exploration companies has also grown, from six to 191. His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Energy and Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, recently announced that studies at the Jabal Sayid Rare Earth Elements Project in the Madinah Region had revealed estimated resources of 114 million tons of ore, particularly heavy rare earth elements.

FMF 2027 will focus on mobilizing finance, accelerating project development, and shortening the time to production to increase mineral supply and develop value chains in the Kingdom and emerging supplier regions, including the Super Region spanning Africa, West and Central Asia, and Latin America. The forum will feature a government-led Ministerial Roundtable, connecting governments, industry leaders, multilateral organizations, and financial and academic institutions. Expanded 'Gateway to Funding' activities will facilitate connections between investors and scalable projects, while 'State of the Sector' sessions, an extension of the Future Minerals Barometer, will provide commodity outlooks and market insights. Leadership Roundtables and Knowledge Exchange meetings will develop solutions to strengthen supply chains.

The FMF has helped move discussions on the future of minerals from ambition to partnerships, investment, and projects, connecting Saudi Arabia's mining and industrial opportunities with international capital, technology, and expertise. The forum's growth reflects the Kingdom's commitment to diversifying mineral supply, developing mining capabilities, and building a more resilient minerals ecosystem.