Saudi Arabia has announced the discovery of an estimated 110 million tonnes of mineral ore containing promising concentrations of uranium and rare earth elements in the Madinah region, marking a potentially significant development in the Kingdom’s energy and mining ambitions. The announcement was made by Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) General Conference in Vienna.
The discovery was reported at the Jabal Sayid project in Madinah, where geological exploration identified high concentrations of rare earth elements, particularly heavy rare earth elements, alongside uranium-bearing material. Saudi officials have described the resource as potentially significant for the country’s growing minerals sector.
One important clarification is that the reported 110 million tonnes refers to ore or raw material containing uranium concentrations, not 110 million tonnes of pure uranium. The exact amount of uranium that could ultimately be recovered has not yet been established, and commercial viability would depend on further exploration, processing and extraction studies.
This distinction is important because uranium-bearing ore must undergo several stages of mining and processing before usable uranium can be produced.
The Jabal Sayid discovery is significant not only because of the uranium content but also because of the reported presence of heavy rare earth elements. These minerals are important for several modern industries, including advanced electronics, renewable-energy technologies and other high-tech applications.
Saudi Arabia has been attempting to expand its mining and minerals industry as part of its broader Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy, reducing its dependence on oil and developing new sources of economic growth.
The discovery also comes at a time when Saudi Arabia is developing plans for a civilian nuclear energy programme. The Kingdom has been pursuing international cooperation to develop nuclear power and domestic capabilities related to nuclear fuel.
Saudi Arabia and the United States signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement in July 2026, adding further significance to the latest announcement about uranium-bearing resources.
Saudi officials have stressed that the country’s nuclear programme is intended for peaceful purposes and that its nuclear activities are being pursued within an international framework.
The discovery could potentially strengthen Saudi Arabia’s position in the global market for critical minerals. Rare earth elements and uranium have strategic importance because countries are increasingly seeking secure domestic supplies of resources needed for energy, technology and industrial development.For Saudi Arabia, developing these resources could support its long-term effort to build a diversified economy beyond oil.
At the same time, the announcement is likely to attract international attention because uranium resources are closely connected to global nuclear non-proliferation concerns. Having uranium ore underground does not automatically mean a country has the capability to produce nuclear weapons; mining, processing and enrichment are separate technical and regulatory stages.
The Jabal Sayid announcement could become an important milestone in Saudi Arabia’s efforts to expand its mining sector. Further geological surveys and feasibility studies will determine how much of the reported resource can actually be economically recovered.
For now, the discovery places Madinah’s mineral resources, Saudi Arabia’s nuclear ambitions and its Vision 2030 diversification programme under renewed international attention.