Saudi Arabia Strengthens Mineral Wealth with 7.8 Million Ounce Gold Discovery

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Saudi state-owned mining company Ma’aden has announced the discovery of an additional 7.8 million ounces of gold reserves across four key exploration areas. This significant find, announced on January 12, 2026, spans both existing operational mines and newly identified sites, reinforcing Saudi Arabia’s position as a growing global player in mineral production. 

The centre of this discovery is the Mansourah-Massarah mine, which saw its reserves surge by 3 million ounces over the past year. The site now holds a massive 116 million tons of ore with a high gold grade of 2.8 grams per ton, bringing its total resources to 10.4 million ounces.

Beyond the primary hub at Mansourah-Massarah, the exploration campaign yielded impressive results in three other strategic locations. The Wadi Al Jaww area contributed a confirmed 3.08 million ounces in its first resource update, while the Uruq 20/21 and Umm As Salam prospects added a combined 1.6 million ounces. Exploration teams also identified a new gold vein in the northern Ar Rujum area and confirmed the presence of copper and nickel at Jebel Shaaban and Jebel Al Wakil. 

Ma’aden CEO Bob Wilt noted that these results validate the company’s massive ongoing investments in exploration, which are a cornerstone of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 economic diversification plan. With drilling operations set to continue through the end of 2026, experts anticipate further discoveries in the deeper layers of the Arabian Shield.