The Future Minerals Forum (FMF), convened by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, today released a three-day program for its fifth and largest edition under the theme “Dawn of a Global Cause”, to be held from 13 – 15 January 2026 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. As the world’s leading platform for collaboration on shaping the future of minerals, the FMF is expected to convene more than 500 leaders, including speakers from governments, industry, multilateral organizations, academia, civil society, and across the entire value chain. 

FMF 2026 aims to bring decision-makers together around a common cause, heralding a new era of mineral production for global development and job creation for young people across supplier and customer countries. The program will tackle the most critical issues facing the minerals sector through impact-driven conversations, featuring the: 

• 5th edition of the world’s largest Ministerial Roundtable on minerals, with over 100 government representatives, more than 70 international organizations, industry associations, NGOs, and top-tier mining company CEOs, where policy makers and industry will discuss increasing funding for infrastructure and the role of mining in global development. 
• Inaugural State of the Sector, in partnership with McKinsey, will unpack the inaugural Future Minerals Barometer Report, tracking sector trends, leadership sentiment, mineral outlooks, country performance, and the industry’s reputation. 
• Inaugural Mineral Investment Journey dedicated, closed-door sessions for new and existing investors. 
• Inaugural Gateway to Funding, in partnership with BMO, is an exclusive investor engagement stream that connects family businesses and institutional investors with international mining companies seeking growth capital. 
• Inaugural MinGen Workshops, dynamic workshops for young professionals, women in mining, and leadership networking. 
• Inaugural MinValley Tech and Innovation will explore venture capital, startup pitches, AI deployment, Centers of Excellence priorities, the path to meeting the carbon challenge, and awarding winners of the first Future Minerals Pioneer competition. 
• 3rd edition of the International Geological Surveys meeting, the largest gathering of survey CEOs ever assembled. 
• 2nd Centers of Excellence and Technology meeting, a gathering of experts at the leading edge of minerals research and innovation. 
• 2nd edition of Knowledge Exchange is a space for in-depth sharing of the latest advancements in minerals intelligence, geology, technology, sustainability, and talent development. 
• 2nd edition of Leadership Roundtables, exclusive, unique gatherings of Ministers, CEOs, and global experts to tackle tough challenges facing the minerals sector and make recommendations for action, including on investment, infrastructure, and value addition. 
• 2nd edition of Regional Leadership Roundtables on Africa, Central Asia, and Latin America, uniting supplier nations to create diverse and stable global supply chains. 
• FMF Conference Plenary, with over 400 speakers, 90% C-level, the largest number of CEOs from the minerals and related sectors, addressing today’s and tomorrow’s market and political challenges to deliver the minerals the world needs. 

The Ministerial Roundtable, a high-level, unique government-led meeting, will headline FMF26, setting the stage open for ensuing discussions and activities. “This dynamic and impact-driven platform is one of the key reasons governments and CEOs consistently return to FMF,” said Ali Al-Mutairi, FMF Executive Director. 

He added that the Roundtable addresses the fundamental challenges facing the global mineral supply at both governmental and senior industry leadership levels. “For the past four years, FMF has championed an all-year-long effort to address the sector’s challenges and opportunities. It focuses on enhancing the supply of critical minerals and their pivotal role in helping supplier countries develop by creating local value, funding infrastructure, building capacity, and enhancing transparency.” 

Day one will set the stage with the International Exhibition and interactive Knowledge Exchange sessions, where industry leaders will present insights into the global mineral supply outlook, technological advances, and sustainability frameworks. Audiences will engage directly with experts in Q&A-driven dialogues. 

Fresh voices from the downstream sector will present innovative ways to integrate local communities and economies into the mineral value chain, offering attendees firsthand insights into the future applications of emerging technologies and showcasing the possibilities at the intersection of technology and sustainability. 

Days two and three include the Leadership Roundtables, including a series of Regional Leadership Roundtables for Africa, Latin America, and Central Asia, bringing focus to the opportunities for trade and investment to and from emerging supplier regions. Each session will convene Ministers, CEOs, and industry experts to share their wealth of knowledge on industry-critical issues. 

FMF 2026 features an impressive roll call of industry luminaries who have made an indelible mark on the mineral and industrial sectors, including; 

• Dominic Barton — Chairman, Rio Tinto 
• Bob Wilt — CEO, Maaden 
• Máximo Pacheco — Chairman, Codelco 
• Gustavo Pimenta — CEO, Vale 
• Catherine Raw — Chief Development Officer, BHP 
• Jianfeng Liu — Chairman & CIO, CMOC 
• Iván Arriagada — CEO, Antofagasta Minerals 
• Tristan Pascall — CEO, First Quantum Minerals 
• Xiaoshen Wang — Vice Chairman & President, Ganfeng Lithium 
• Adam Lundin — Chair, Lundin Mining 
• Randy Smallwood — CEO, Wheaton Precious Metals 
• Marna Cloete — President & CEO, Ivanhoe Mines 

These distinguished speakers bring a wealth of expertise from the upstream, midstream, and downstream sectors. Hand-picked for their expertise, they will drive solution-based discussions that span the entire mineral ecosystem.