By now, the messages should be clear. For our future energy transitions, however they unfold, we will require enormous resources in the form of energy, minerals, metals and other materials along with all of the underpinnings. We also will require ample human talent and vast financial commitments.
The purpose of our knowledge paper is to examine the possibilities for an old world geography to lead future development of minerals and metals. The Minerals Heartland, where first use of native metals by humans occurred, reaches from Africa through the Middle East and into Central Asia. Long traditions of harvesting resources along ancient storied trade routes characterize the region. To seize their future possibilities, Heartland countries must build platforms that can support mining industries responding to rapidly changing and advancing technologies that are transforming businesses with deep implications for labor and practices. Of great interest is whether the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (the KSA) could serve as an investment hub for new ventures that stem from the KSA’s own diversification ambitions. Can the KSA capitalize on its global heft in oil, gas and chemicals and its huge financial reserves to help spur expansion of Heartland minerals supply and value chains?
This report was written in partnership with the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) and is available to download here. For more information on FMF and FMF23, please visit https://www.futuremineralsforum.com/.
