Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef recently wrapped up a successful official visit to Chile, where he engaged in important discussions with ministers and private-sector leaders to boost cooperation in the industrial and mining sectors. The main topics of conversation included knowledge transfer, innovative mining technologies, and potential mutual investments in the production and processing of minerals, with a focus on lithium, copper, and iron ore.
During his meeting with Chilean Minister of Mining Aurora Williams, Alkhorayef explored opportunities for cooperation in the mining sector and key industrial sectors with high export and import potential, such as chemicals, auto parts, and electronics. He also extended an invitation to Minister Williams to participate in the upcoming ministerial roundtable at the International Mining Conference scheduled to take place in Riyadh in January.
In discussions with Chilean Finance Minister Mario Marcel, Alkhorayef centered on enhancing trade between Saudi Arabia and Chile, as well as the Kingdom’s aspirations to play a leading role in the electric-vehicle (EV) industry. They reviewed the National Industrial Strategy’s sectors and objectives, as well as the Kingdom’s comprehensive mining strategy aimed at furthering economic growth and diversification.
Moreover, Alkhorayef emphasized investment opportunities in Saudi Arabia’s industrial and mining sectors during a meeting with acting Minister of Economy, Development, and Tourism Verónica Pardo. He stressed the potential value that the tourism and mining sectors aim to add under Saudi Vision 2030. The two also discussed the importance of enhancing the export of Saudi phosphate fertilizers to Chile, which is crucial for the agricultural sector and food security.
The strong relations between Saudi Arabia and Chile were commended by Alkhorayef during his meeting with acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Gloria de la Fuente. He noted that these ties pave the way for development in various economic and commercial fields, enabling both countries to benefit from increased cooperation and collaboration.
Participating in a roundtable organized by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources in partnership with the Chilean industrial federation SOFOFA, Alkhorayef engaged with representatives from major Chilean mining companies. One of these discussions included exploring investment opportunities in mineral production and processing, particularly lithium and copper, in collaboration with Chilean mining giant CODELCO, which is one of the world’s largest copper producers.
Alkhorayef also met with leaders of other major Chilean mining companies, such as Antofagasta and SQM, to discuss the high-quality opportunities available in the mining sector, with a focus on copper, lithium, and iron production. These discussions also touched on the role of Manara Minerals in leveraging these opportunities and further enhancing cooperation in the mining sector.
In addition, Alkhorayef engaged with officials from the Advanced Mining Technology Center (AMTC) and the Anglo American Mining Control Center to explore potential avenues for strengthening cooperation in the mining sector. These discussions aimed at finding ways to enhance the sharing of knowledge, technologies, and resources to drive innovation and growth in the industry.
