Latest news with #NorthernBorders
Arab News
07-07-2025
- Arab News
Saudi traditional container keeps its cool — and makes a cultural comeback
RIYADH: As part of Saudi Arabia's Year of Handicrafts, a traditional handmade leather container used to store food before the advent of refrigeration is making a comeback in the Northern Borders region. For generations, Al-Samil played a vital role in desert life as a simple storage container for food and water. Now the traditional items are being celebrated as a lasting emblem of Bedouin heritage, Saudi Press Agency reported. Al-Samil is handmade from tanned livestock skin using time-honored methods, and can preserve the quality and taste of ghee, yogurt, and water for extended periods without the need for cooling. At Arar's traditional market, local artisans display Al-Samil alongside other crafts, including sadu weaving, spinning tools, and embroidered garments. More than just functional, Al-Samil reflects a self-sufficient way of life and craftsmanship passed down through generations. Today, interest in Al-Samil is being reived at heritage festivals and handicraft exhibitions held across cities and governorates in the region. The container is still valued for storing wild ghee and fermented yogurt, with the leather adding a distinct flavor. Many rural homes and farms still use it. At Arar's traditional market, local artisans display Al-Samil alongside other crafts, including sadu weaving, spinning tools, and embroidered garments. The market has become a key attraction for both residents and tourists looking to experience the region's cultural heritage firsthand, the SPA reported.
Arab News
05-07-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia's $2.5tn mineral reserves fuel industrial push
JEDDAH: Saudi Arabia is accelerating the development of its mining sector as a central pillar of economic diversification, with the Kingdom's mineral wealth now estimated at SR9.4 trillion ($2.5 trillion). The surge in value is driven by discoveries of rare earth elements, base metals, gold, phosphate, and titanium — a strong, lightweight metal with high-value applications in aviation and turbine manufacturing. A major catalyst for this growth is the Northern Borders region, home to SR4.6 trillion in resources and a key hub for phosphate production. Developments in Waad Al-Shamal have helped position the Kingdom among the world's top phosphate exporters. In alignment with Vision 2030 and the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program, the mining sector is projected to boost its contribution to gross domestic product from $17 billion in 2024 to $75 billion by 2030. It generated $400 million in revenue in 2023 and is now backed by a $100 billion investment plan targeting critical minerals by 2035. Speaking to Arab News, Saurabh Priyadarshi, a geologist and adviser for mining and metals at Geoxplorers Consulting Services, highlighted that Saudi Arabia's substantial reserves of gold, copper, phosphate, rare earth elements, and lithium position it as a potential global leader in the industry. 'Saudi Arabia can foresee itself becoming a key player in the global minerals supply chain. Calling these minerals critical is a different matter altogether,' he said. Priyadarshi added that one of the strongest diversification drivers is rising global demand for battery metals and industrial minerals that power electric vehicles and renewable energy infrastructure. 'As global markets push toward decarbonization, Saudi Arabia, too, can and should leverage its $2.5 trillion mineral resource base to power the next phase of industrial growth,' Priyadarshi said. Saudi Arabia is also prioritizing domestic resources and talent, promoting public-private partnerships, and adopting Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies to drive sustainable, long-term growth. Minerals central to 2030 plan Mansour Ahmed, an independent economic adviser, described mineral development as a strategic cornerstone of Vision 2030. He said Saudi Arabia's untapped reserves are 'critical to the global energy transition.' Ahmed stressed that growing the sector would expand non-oil GDP, generate employment, and drive regional development. He highlighted the importance of mining cities and downstream hubs 'to maximize local value and build integrated, resilient supply chains.' Both Priyadarshi and Ahmed noted Saudi Arabia's alignment of mining with advanced manufacturing and innovation. Priyadarshi pointed to Ras Al-Khair's aluminum smelter and the planned battery chemicals complex in Yanbu, developed in partnership with EV Metals Group, as examples of the Kingdom's industrial leap forward. Investments in automated mining technologies, AI-driven exploration, and ESG-focused practices reflect Saudi Arabia's ambitions to become a global hub for sustainable resource extraction. Saurabh Priyadarshi, geologist and adviser for mining and metals at Geoxplorers Consulting Services Saudi Arabia has also secured lithium processing capabilities, becoming the first Middle Eastern country to establish a battery materials supply pipeline. 'The government is leveraging its Public Investment Fund to finance mining and battery production, ensuring long-term supply chain resilience,' Priyadarshi said. He also cited strategic global moves, such as acquiring stakes in Vale's base metals division and developing domestic copper smelting, as reinforcing the Kingdom's ambitions in critical minerals. According to the Vision 2030 Annual Report for 2024, mining has been prioritized as a key sector for economic diversification. The report highlights significant reforms introduced to support this strategic shift, including the Comprehensive Mining Strategy and the Mining Investment Law — both designed to create a more attractive and transparent regulatory environment. Institutional support was reinforced through the establishment of the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources. Furthermore, the Saudi Geological Survey and the National Geological Database were launched to strengthen geological mapping and resource assessment capabilities. New entities such as Manara Minerals, the Mining Fund, and the Nuthree Exploration Incubator were also created to stimulate investment, innovation, and entrepreneurship in the sector. ESG and AI integration Priyadarshi emphasized that sustainability is integral to this transformation, with AI-driven exploration minimizing environmental impact, automation improving productivity and energy efficiency, and blockchain tools ensuring compliance with ethical, environmental, social, and governance standards. Saudi Arabia is also investing heavily in renewables to power its industrial base. Priyadarshi pointed to the Kingdom's $235 billion commitment to solar, wind, and hydrogen, including NEOM's $5 billion green hydrogen facility and a $35 billion phosphate and bauxite processing expansion at Ras Al-Khair. Ras Al-Khair Industrial City is home to Ma'aden's phosphate and ammonia plants, aluminum smelters, and steel production facilities such as Hadeed — showcasing the Kingdom's ability not only to extract, but also to process and add value to its mineral resources. The city is rapidly emerging as a strategic node in global supply chains. Priyadarshi noted that the Kingdom's strategy extends beyond resource extraction. He underscored the importance of integrating mining with downstream industries such as aluminum smelting, phosphate processing, and electric vehicle battery production to reinforce supply chains and develop high-value sectors that move beyond the export of raw minerals. 'Investments in automated mining technologies, AI-driven exploration, and ESG-focused practices reflect Saudi Arabia's ambitions to become a global hub for sustainable resource extraction,' he said. When asked about the most strategically important minerals for the Kingdom, Ahmed identified phosphate, rare earth elements, and gold as critical. He explained that phosphate is essential for food security and serves as a key driver of industrial exports, while rare earth elements such as neodymium, praseodymium, and dysprosium are vital for manufacturing EVs, wind turbines, defense technologies, and high-tech electronics — making them central to future-proofing the clean energy economy. 'Gold continues to hold significant financial value and remains an important mineral for the Kingdom. Copper and bauxite closely follow, given their growing importance in global electrification,' Ahmed added. Global rankings According to the Vision 2030 report, Saudi Arabia has achieved top international rankings in the mining sector. The Kingdom secured first place for mining investment growth, as reported by MineHutte and the Mining Journal. It also ranks among the top 10 countries for mining financial policies and holds the second position globally for efficient license issuance — taking approximately 90 days to issue a mining license. The report adds that Saudi Arabia's advanced legislative framework has attracted significant interest, with 290 local and international companies operating in the sector as of 2024. The National Geological Database has dramatically expanded its coverage from just 1.7 percent in 2021 to 51 percent by last year, enabling better resource identification. Investor confidence remains high, with 30 proposals submitted for the Kingdom's largest-ever mining tender in 2024, covering valuable mineral sites containing gold, silver, copper, and zinc.
Leaders
03-07-2025
- Leaders
Northern Borders' Exhibition Showcases Creative Legacy
Northern Borders's Society for Culture and Arts has inaugurated a permanent heritage exhibition highlighting the region's creative legacy, according to the Saudi Press Agency. In line with the 2025 Year of Handicrafts, the exhibition features a curated selection of arts and crafts documenting over seven decades of history. The permanent event highlights a variety of artistic pieces created by the creative hands of women and artists of the region. 'Sadu' represents one of the most prominent artifacts in the exhibition, with 17-meter Sadu textile woven in a meticulous manner and adorned with decorative lines and harmonious heritage colors. Moreover, the exhibition boasts various artistic corners that reflect social and economic aspects of popular life, such as a miniature exhibition on the historic Tapline. Director of the Society for Culture and Arts, Khalaf Al-Qaran, told SPA that the exhibition represents a vital window into the Northern Borders' rich heritage. Related Topics: 'Redrawing the Boundaries' Exhibition Explores Gulf's Modern Art Evolution Makkah's Hajj Gifts Ritual Exhibition Attracts over 25,000 Visitors Saudi Arabia Showcases Islamic Mosques at Jakarta's Jusoor Exhibition Short link : Post Views: 3 Related Stories
Arab News
03-07-2025
- Arab News
Turaif: Historical, cultural mosaic tracing back to pre-Islamic eras
TURAIF: Located in Saudi Arabia's Northern Borders region, Turaif governorate stands as a crossroads of ancient civilizations and historical events, serving as a gateway to Iraq and the Levant. The governorate is home to a range of culturally and historically rich heritage sites, many of which date back to pre-Islamic times. Among the most prominent heritage landmarks is the archaeological site of Qasr Duqrah, situated 40 kilometers southwest of the governorate. Adjacent to it lies a mountain known as 'Aqran,' also referred to as Duqrah Mount, which has been recorded under the Comprehensive Archaeological Survey Program. Saudi Historical Society member Zahi Al-Khalawi stressed that the site known as 'Duqrah' is among the Kingdom's most significant archaeological locations, given the discovery of material evidence indicating human settlement since the Stone Age. He noted that habitation at the site continued through the later Roman period (2nd to 6th centuries CE) and persisted into the Umayyad era (661 to 750 CE). Another landmark is the Trans-Arabian Pipeline (Tapline), one of Saudi Arabia's most significant industrial heritage sites. The pipeline stretches from the east of the Kingdom to its north, passing through Turaif, and has been registered in the National Industrial Heritage Register. It is the first officially documented industrial heritage site in the Kingdom, representing the early stages of Saudi Arabia's oil industry and its developmental and economic significance. Also noteworthy is the site of Qaru Turaif, a water source developed by the Tapline Company in the 1950s to help settle nomadic communities by order of the late King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al-Faisal Al Saud. The site has been listed as part of the governorate's cultural heritage. To the east of Turaif, about 25 kilometers away, stands Jabal Umm Waal, a historic landmark and northern gateway into the Arabian Peninsula. The mountain tells the stories of Bedouin life and the passage of trade caravans and pilgrims traveling from the Levant and Iraq. For centuries, it served as a safe route for travelers making their way southward.
Arab News
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia completes departure of Iranian pilgrims
RIYADH: The Ministry of Interior has completed departure procedures for Iranian Hajj pilgrims leaving through the Jadidat Arar border crossing in the Northern Borders region. This was done following directives from King Salman and based on a recommendation from Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday. The aim was to support Iran's pilgrims amid the current circumstances in their country and provide necessary services until they can safely return home after completing Hajj. The ministry, through its sectors and affiliated entities, deployed all human and technical resources to facilitate the pilgrims' movement, the SPA reported. It coordinated with relevant authorities to ensure smooth and organized transport to the border within an integrated service and security framework. Alireza Bayat, head of the Hajj and Pilgrimage Organization in Iran, recently praised Saudi Arabia for assisting the pilgrims, noting the quality organization and services at border crossings and other locations. He said Iran's pilgrims were satisfied with the support they had received and for the excellent organization of the Hajj.
