The Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, in cooperation with the Ministry of Investment, announced the opening of applications for the third round of the Exploration Enablement Program, aimed at supporting mineral exploration activities and reducing the risks facing projects during their early stages.
The third round of the program offers a support package targeting exploration companies and holders of mineral exploration licenses, to reduce exploration risk and help projects move into the development phase.
Financial Incentives to Support Exploration Projects
The program includes cash incentives covering up to 25% of eligible exploration expenditures, including drilling activities, laboratory testing, and geological studies. It also provides support for wage costs of up to 15% for technical employees and experts residing in the Kingdom, as part of its support for activities related to exploration work.
Supporting National Talent and Developing Geological Capabilities
The program provides coverage of up to 70% of the total salary costs of Saudi geological technicians during the first two years, with coverage increasing to 100% thereafter in accordance with program requirements. The initiative helps develop local talent, strengthen exploration expertise, expand Saudi employment, and transfer geological knowledge.
Program Phases Extend Until Publication of Exploration Data in 2027
Applications for the third round opened on January 14, 2026, and the application submission phase continued until March 31, 2026. The application evaluation, approval, and agreement-signing phase took place between April 1 and May 31, 2026, while eligible projects were announced between June 1 and July 31, 2026.
The subsequent phases included the submission of exploration data during the compensation and reimbursement period from September 1 to November 30, 2026. This was followed by the technical and financial verification of work programs and approval of enablement fund disbursements in January 2027. Exploration data was then published on the National Geological Database in April 2027.
Supporting Strategic Minerals and Enhancing Geological Knowledge
The Ministry confirmed that the Exploration Enablement Program focuses on supporting the exploration of strategic minerals identified as national priorities. The program has contributed to enhancing geological knowledge through the provision of updated data that meets international standards. supporting investors in making informed investment decisions, while promoting the growth of national companies and local supply chains.
The launch of the third round coincided with the fifth edition of the Future Minerals Forum, held from January 13 to 15, 2026, which highlighted Saudi Arabia’s mining sector, investor enablement initiatives, and the opportunities available within the industry.
What Does This Mean for Businesses?
The launch of the third round of the Exploration Enablement Program highlights Saudi Arabia’s ongoing efforts to support mineral exploration through incentives that reduce early-stage project risks. The program offers exploration companies and mining exploration license holders opportunities to benefit from support allocated to exploration expenditures and technical expertise, helping projects advance toward subsequent development phases.
As initiatives supporting the mining sector continue, regulatory readiness becomes an important factor for companies seeking to enter mining-related activities or expand their presence within the Kingdom.
Absher Business helps investors enter Saudi Arabia’s mining sector by supporting company formation and clarifying the regulatory requirements needed to launch and expand their operations.
