Saudi Arabia’s quest for lithium: Exploring domestic extraction and international investments

Saudi Arabia’s commitment to importing lithium from abroad was emphasized by Bandar Al-Khorayef, the country’s Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources. He stated that the country is dedicated to investing in this sector, but efforts to provide these supplies locally are still in their early stages.

According to Al-Khorayef, lithium is crucial in the supply chain, especially for batteries. He mentioned that Saudi Arabia has started exploring the possibility of extracting lithium from seawater and salty discharges from oil fields in partnership with Aramco. However, the success of these initiatives remains uncertain.

Regarding international investments in lithium, Al-Khorayef expressed confidence that Saudi Arabia’s natural resource needs will be met either through domestic products or imports. The Public Investment Fund and Ma’aden have established a joint project to invest in mining assets abroad to secure these resources.

Chilean officials have mentioned potential discussions with Saudi Arabia regarding investments in the mining sector, but Al-Khorayef stated that he was not aware of any specific talks about lithium licenses with Chile. He emphasized the need for further exploration and research to ensure the economic viability of lithium extraction in Saudi Arabia.