Overview
The Mining License (Exploitation License) is issued by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources under the Mining Investment Law and is processed through the ministry's electronic platform, Ta'adeen. It grants the holder the right to mine and exploit Class A minerals (strategic minerals such as gold, copper, zinc, phosphate, bauxite, and rare earth elements) and Class B minerals (industrial minerals such as silica sand, gypsum, limestone, salt, and clay), to transport and sell the extracted ore, and to exercise full operational rights over the licensed area. The exploitation license is granted for a period not exceeding 30 years and is renewable, while the small-mine license for Class A and B minerals runs for up to 20 years and is renewable for a further period of up to 20 years.
Mining is a priority sector of Saudi Vision 2030, and foreign investors may own up to 100% of a mining venture. Under the Investment Law (issued by Royal Decree M/19 of 1444 AH and effective in 2025), the international investor first registers with the Ministry of Investment (MISA) and then applies for the sector license on Ta'adeen. The license is the legal foundation for opening the mine, importing equipment, hiring technical staff, and selling ore domestically or for export; it also carries binding obligations, including an approved environmental and social impact management plan, a mine rehabilitation and closure plan, and ongoing financial consideration (royalties and surface rent) and periodic reporting to the ministry.
Activities covered
Extraction of precious and base metals such as gold, silver, copper, and zinc from a defined ore body.
Mining of strategic Class A minerals including phosphate, bauxite, and rare earth elements.
Mining of Class B industrial minerals such as silica sand, gypsum, limestone, salt, and clay.
On-site crushing, screening, and primary processing of the extracted ore.
Transport and sale of mined ore to domestic buyers or for export.
Operation of a small-scale mine for Class A and B minerals under the small-mine license.
Who is it for?
Mining companies and investors seeking to extract Class A minerals such as gold, copper, phosphate, or rare earths, or Class B industrial minerals, in the Kingdom.
International mining groups that already hold an exploration license and want to convert their findings into a producing operation.
Industrial and downstream investors needing secured local feedstock for processing, smelting, or manufacturing.
How we issue it for you
MISA registration & structuring
We register your entity with the Ministry of Investment (MISA) and structure the company to allow up to 100% foreign ownership of the mining venture.
Technical & feasibility file
We prepare the economic feasibility study, the environmental and social impact management plan, and the rehabilitation and closure plan to the ministry's standard.
Ta'adeen application
We file the exploitation license application on the Ta'adeen platform, linking it to your valid exploration license and the licensed area.
Ministry review & response
We manage the ministry's technical review, respond to any clarifications, and follow up until the license is approved and issued.
Issuance & compliance setup
On issuance we hand over the license and set up your financial-consideration payments and periodic reporting obligations so you stay compliant.
Requirements
A valid exploration license covering the same area, with the exploitation site falling inside that area.
An economic feasibility study for exploiting the targeted ore and minerals.
An approved environmental and social impact management plan together with a mine rehabilitation and closure plan.
Proof of the applicant's technical competence and financial capability to operate the mine.
Cost & timeline
Government fees vary by license type, mineral class, and area, and include application charges plus surface rent and royalties payable to the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources; these are paid at cost and confirmed by your consultant. As a guide, issuance of an exploitation license typically takes from a few weeks to several months once the feasibility and environmental files are complete, with the duration driven mainly by the technical review. We provide a fixed quote for our services and a clear estimate of government costs before we begin.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Mining is open to full foreign ownership. The investor registers with MISA under the Investment Law, then we secure the exploitation license from the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources on Ta'adeen.
In most cases, yes. The exploitation site must fall within a valid exploration license area, and the feasibility study relies on the exploration data. If you do not yet hold one, we can secure the exploration license first.
Both cover Class A and B minerals. The standard exploitation license is for larger operations and runs up to 30 years, while the small-mine license suits smaller deposits and runs up to 20 years, renewable for a further period of up to 20 years.
Holders pay surface rent and royalties to the ministry, submit periodic technical and production reports, and must carry out progressive rehabilitation of mined areas under the approved closure plan. We set up these processes for you at handover.