The fourth edition of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF), to be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from January 14 to 16, is expected to play a key role in expanding and enhancing discussions on sector challenges, and providing practical solutions by bringing together key stakeholders, including governments, international organisations, business federations, investors, sector leaders and investors.

This was highlighted by Saudi Arabia Industry and Mineral Resources vice minister Khalid Al-Mudaifer on December 17, speaking during a briefing outlining the FMF’s 2025 programme.

The FMF is organised by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Al-Mudaifer pointed out that Saudi Arabia has adopted international cooperation frameworks to meet the needs of energy transitions in the world and to achieve sustainable development.

These frameworks include establishing effective partnerships between mineral producing and consuming countries to address challenges such as attracting investment, advancing technologies, developing necessary infrastructure and ensuring responsible exploration and production of minerals, he explained.

Al-Mudaifer emphasised that the FMF and its accompanying Ministerial Roundtable would play a key role in augmenting this work.

He pointed out that the transformation of the global mining landscape requires intensified global efforts to address rising challenges and adopt sustainable solutions through strategic investments, innovations and advanced technologies.

Al-Mudaifer outlined key challenges as including insufficient investment and activity in exploration, as well as market disruptions and demand volatility, compounded by geopolitical, regulatory, legislative and technological shifts, which he said makes it difficult to forecast yearly mineral demands.  

There are also mounting environmental, social and governance pressures, as well as a shortage of skills that need to be addressed.

However, despite challenges, Al-Mudaifer highlighted that there are considerable opportunities to be capitalised on, with technology and innovation expected to facilitate enhanced exploration, skills development and more sustainable and efficient industry practices.

He posited that evidence from the previous editions of the FMF has shown that the Ministerial Roundtable has been pivotal in launching global discussion and ideas that greatly impact the trajectory of the mining and minerals sector.

He acclaimed that it remains the world's only government-led platform, uniting stakeholders in the field and fostering international cooperation to achieve sustainable development while preserving the environment.

Moreover, he said it enhances global and regional investment to provide greater access to strategic minerals that contribute to industrial growth and economic development.

Further, he highlighted the transfer of knowledge and expertise on modern technology and human capacity development.

FMF 2025
Al-Mudaifer said the FMF has achieved growth in global reputation and significance, which has led to the evolution of its programme, topics, agenda and activities, as well as an increase in the number of participating countries and speakers in both the Ministerial Roundtable and other sessions.

This year, the Ministerial Roundtable is expected to feature representatives from 85 countries, both mineral producers and consumers, Al-Mudaifer highlighted, alongside more than 50 international organisations, trade unions and civil society groups. 

For the second time, the forum will host the International Geological Survey Meeting, aimed at strengthening geological capacities in the mining corridor, stretching from Africa to West and Central Asia, he said.  

For the first time, a Centres of Excellence and Technology meeting will be held on the margin of the forum, with the participation of academic institutions, research centres and universities specialised in the field, Al-Mudaifer informed. 

He expanded that this initiative was aimed at creating a regional and global network to build capacities and accelerate technological applications in the global mining sector, to guarantee development and the availability of necessary tools.

Further, the forum will, for the first time, feature a Knowledge Exchange day on January 14 to provide a specialised platform to share development for sharing mineral information, including technology, sustainability and current development. This will enhance cooperation and exchange of expertise on the global level, Al-Mudaifer averred. 

There will also be an inaugural leadership roundtable – a gathering of Ministers, CEOs and global experts to discuss investment, infrastructure, value addition and processing hub creation.

The forum will also host pioneer regional leadership roundtables on Africa, Central Asia and Latin America, aimed at uniting supplier nations to create a unified global minerals movement.

The FMF conference plenary, meanwhile, will feature the largest number of CEOs from the minerals and related sectors addressing today’s market and political challenges to deliver actionable impact. Speakers include CEOs from eleven of the top 20 global mining companies and ten ICMM member companies.

The forum will host more than 250 speakers, including international and Saudi ministers and officials.

These sessions will address issues such as financing new project, promoting future mining regions, the role of technology, the role of minerals in developing societies, and discussions around sustainability.

For the first time, the forum will feature panel debates to address critical and controversial issues in the sector that are of interest for people in the field.