Rabat – Morocco’s Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, held talks on Wednesday in Riyadh with Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources, Bandar bin Ibrahim Al-Khorayef, on the sidelines of the 5th International Mining Conference, taking place in the Saudi capital from January 13 to 15.
The meeting focused on reviewing progress in bilateral cooperation, following a series of technical discussions held between working teams from both countries. Both sides stressed the strategic importance of deepening cooperation in the mining sector, identifying it as a key area for future partnership.
Discussions covered several priority areas, including developing strategic and critical minerals, strengthening training and capacity-building programs, and accelerating digital transformation through advanced technologies across the mining value chain.
The two ministers also affirmed the need to support scientific research and encourage innovative solutions, with particular attention to mining services as a driver of added value and competitiveness within the sector.
They agreed to maintain close coordination between their technical teams to ensure effective implementation of the agreed priorities, notably in supporting the private sector, boosting investment, and enhancing partnerships between training institutions, research centers, and engineering entities specialized in mining.
In November, Minister Benali signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Marrakech with Moses Michael, Secretary-General of the Africa Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG).
The agreement seeks to strengthen responsible and sustainable mining governance across Africa, with a focus on advancing key initiatives, including a continent-wide ESG framework and the Origination–Transit–Certification (OTC) corridor.
The MoU was signed during the opening of the second Morocco International Mining Congress (IMC 2025), as part of the North African country’s growing role in shaping regional mining strategies.
