Full Breakdown
Saudi Arabia Announces Major Uranium-Bearing Ore Discovery in Madinah
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Discovery Overview
Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman announced that geological work at the Jabal Sayid project in the Madinah region has identified an estimated 110 million tonnes of ore containing high concentrations of rare-earth elements and uranium. The find is described as one of the world’s most significant rare-earth mineral resource sites under development. Saudi officials note that the ore could also yield uranium as a by-product of the kingdom’s large phosphate industry, though the amount of recoverable uranium will depend on ore grade, geology and extraction economics.
Strategic Context
The announcement follows a July 2026 civil nuclear cooperation agreement between Saudi Arabia and the United States, which creates a legal framework for U.S. companies to supply nuclear technology and for potential construction of a uranium enrichment plant in the kingdom. Saudi Arabia currently produces no uranium and has no domestic enrichment capability, according to the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and the IAEA. The discovery aligns with Riyadh’s broader economic diversification plan, which seeks to develop critical minerals and rare-earth supplies alongside its position as the world’s second-largest exporter of phosphate fertilizers.
Official Statements & Verbatim Quote
He emphasized that Saudi Arabia’s nuclear programme is intended solely for peaceful purposes and will be pursued transparently in cooperation with the IAEA. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright described the bilateral pact as reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening commercial relations and delivering prosperity and security to allies.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Saudi state media and the outlet *The National News* cite 110 million tonnes of uranium-bearing ore, while *The Peninsula Qatar* reports an estimate of 114 million tonnes. Sources do not provide detailed ore-grade data or timelines for commercial extraction, leaving the scale of recoverable uranium uncertain.