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Saudi Arabia has discovered 110 million tons of ore containing uranium concentrations in the Medina region as the kingdom pushes ahead with plans to add nuclear power to its national energy mix, Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said on Monday.
Speaking at the 70th General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Vienna, Prince Abdulaziz said Saudi Arabia is continuing to explore for uranium while also working to extract associated uranium through the fertilizer manufacturing process.
Exploration and geological studies at the Jabal Sayid project in Medina have identified about 110 million tons of ore with high concentrations of rare earth minerals, particularly heavy rare earth elements, alongside promising concentrations of uranium, according to the Saudi minister.
However, Prince Abdulazizdid not disclose the uranium grade of the newly identified ore, leaving the amount of contained uranium and the quantity that could ultimately be recovered unclear.
Prince Abdulaziz said nuclear energy has become an essential part of Saudi Arabia's planned energy mix as the kingdom seeks to diversify its sources of power, support economic growth and strengthen security of supply.
He described Saudi Arabia as an active participant in global energy markets while highlighting the kingdom's efforts to develop its energy and mineral resources.
The minister pointed to Saudi Arabia's wider mineral wealth, saying the kingdom is working to secure mineral supply chains, develop rare earth discoveries and turn its natural resources into sustainable economic value.
Previously, a 2019 joint survey by the Saudi Geological Survey and Chinese geological institutions identified three inferred uranium deposits in central and northwestern Saudi Arabia that could potentially yield more than 90,000 tons of uranium.
The statement comes less than two months after the United States and Saudi Arabia signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement, giving Riyadh a legal framework for long-term cooperation with Washington on nuclear power.
Saudi Arabia's national nuclear program includes plans for large nuclear power plants, small modular reactors and development of domestic uranium resources.
The kingdom established the Saudi National Atomic Energy Project in 2017 as part of its Vision 2030 strategy, with one of its objectives being greater self-sufficiency in nuclear fuel production.
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