Saudi Arabia has discovered an estimated 110 million tonnes of minerals and uranium ore in the Medina region, Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman announced at the 70th regular session of the General Conference of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The find was reported by Antena3.
The discovery was made at one of Saudi Arabia's most significant mineral deposits, developed in partnership with the United States.
Geological surveys carried out at the Jabal Sayid site found high concentrations of rare earth elements as well as promising concentrations of uranium, according to the findings cited in the report.
Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman told the IAEA General Conference that surveys and studies at Jabal Sayid, in Medina, had identified reserves estimated at 110 million tonnes of ore, with a high content of rare earth minerals, including heavy elements, along with promising uranium concentrations.
Nuclear cooperation with Washington
The announcement came just months after Washington and Riyadh formally cemented cooperation on civil nuclear energy, signing an agreement on 22 July between US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman.
The US Department of Energy said the agreement provides the legal basis for a multi-year partnership worth billions of dollars and gives American companies broader access to Saudi Arabia's civil nuclear energy programme.
According to the minister, exploration work in the area began after Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the United States in November 2025. During that visit, the two countries agreed to deepen cooperation on critical minerals and supply chains, including a partnership between Saudi state mining company Ma'aden and the American firm MP Materials.
Where Jabal Sayid sits
Jabal Sayid lies roughly 350 kilometres northeast of Jeddah, in the Medina region. The site is already known for holding one of the world's most valuable rare earth deposits.
Rare earth elements are a group of minerals used in technologies such as electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, smartphones and defence equipment, and are considered strategically important because supply is currently dominated by a small number of countries.
Fourth-largest deposit in the world
According to an analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, which cites estimates from Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the state mining company Ma'aden, the Jabal Sayid deposit ranks fourth largest in the world. It is estimated to hold about 552,000 tonnes of heavy minerals such as dysprosium and terbium, plus a further 355,000 tonnes of light minerals including neodymium and praseodymium.
Media reports indicate that the value of Saudi Arabia's mineral deposits was set to reach $100 billion by November 2025, a 90% increase compared with 2018.
