(Kitco News) – More than 85 governments from key mineral-producing and consumer nations are gathering in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the fourth annual Future Minerals Forum (FMF) beginning Tuesday, Jan. 14, and Kitco News will be on site to conduct exclusive interviews with high-level participants.
Delegates from 16 of the leading G20 economies are among the 50 ministers and 13 vice ministers who will participate in the 2025 FMF Ministerial Roundtable on Jan. 14. The three-day global event will also include the participation of more than 50 international organizations, as well as top mining industry leaders.
“The meeting is an important step towards achieving sustainable development in the mining and minerals sector globally,” said Khalid Al-Mudaifer, Saudi Arabia's Vice-Minister for Mining Affairs.
He added that the Ministerial Roundtable is an ideal platform for “delivering concrete solutions, developing legislation on best practices in the field of sustainable mining, and exploring ways to invest in mining projects to achieve economic and social development in producing countries.”
The Ministerial Roundtable is a multi-stakeholder, government-led initiative to increase investment in mineral supply and build capacity in the Super Region of Africa, Western and Central Asia, and other supply regions.
Discussions will be centered around the three ongoing Ministerial Roundtable initiatives: Development of an International Critical Minerals Framework that provides guidelines for building resilient and transparent supply chains; Establishment of Centers of Excellence spanning the Super Region; and Advancements in Certification Systems to ensure responsible mineral sourcing.
Al-Mudaifer highlighted the strategic importance of these initiatives. “Establishing a network of Centers of Excellence will drive research, technology transfer, and the adoption of responsible mining practices,” he said. “This will attract investment, equip a new generation with valuable skills, and support the creation of a modern, high-tech industry that benefits local communities.”
Kitco Senior Mining Editor and Anchor Paul Harris will be on site at the Future Minerals Forum, where he will conduct exclusive interviews with key government officials and high-level industry representatives.
“FMF is rapidly emerging as the largest global hub for minerals collaboration and action – no other platform brings together government ministers and senior industry leaders at this scale,” Al-Mudaifer added. “Together, we are shaping the future of the minerals sector, not just as a key enabler of the energy transition, but also one of economic development.”
Watch exclusive interviews with FMF participants on the Kitco Mining YouTube channel, and stay on top of all the key developments in mining and metals markets with Kitco News.
