NIDLP Showcases 19 Startups at Future Minerals Forum 2025

The National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP), in collaboration with Newlab, is participating in the fourth edition of the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh from January 14 to 16, 2025, showcasing 19 global startups and advanced mining technologies. The announcement, released via the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), underscores the Kingdom’s commitment to positioning mining as a cornerstone of its economic diversification strategy under Saudi Vision 2030. The forum, held at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, brings together government leaders, industry executives, and innovators to shape the future of mineral exploration, processing, and sustainable resource management.

Why does this participation matter so much for Saudi Arabia’s industrial ambitions? NIDLP’s presence at the forum is not merely an exhibition; it is a strategic statement of intent. By partnering with Newlab, a global innovation platform headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, the program is bridging local industrial capacity with international entrepreneurial energy. The 19 startups featured in the interactive space represent a cross-section of cutting-edge solutions—from AI-driven exploration tools to autonomous drilling systems—designed to address bottlenecks across the mining value chain. This aligns directly with NIDLP’s mandate to transform Saudi Arabia into a leading industrial powerhouse and global logistics hub, a goal that hinges on technological leapfrogging and cross-border collaboration.

Context and Background

What is the Future Minerals Forum, and why has it become a pivotal event on the global mining calendar? Launched in 2022, the forum has quickly grown into a premier gathering for the minerals industry, attracting ministers, CEOs, and innovators from over 100 countries. The fourth edition, held under the patronage of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, focuses on ‘Transforming Mineral Wealth into Sustainable Development.’ It serves as a platform for Saudi Arabia to showcase its estimated $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral resources, including gold, copper, phosphate, and rare earth elements—critical inputs for the global energy transition.

NIDLP’s involvement builds on an agreement signed with Newlab during the previous edition of the forum. That partnership led to the establishment of Newlab’s regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia, operating as Newlabksa. This entity is designed to foster international collaborations, attract foreign direct investment, and support entrepreneurship in the Kingdom. By facilitating the rapid transition of startups from concept to impactful solutions, Newlabksa mobilizes industry leaders, government agencies, and investors to tackle pressing challenges in energy, mining, logistics, and beyond. The 2025 participation thus represents a tangible follow-through on a commitment made a year earlier, demonstrating the program’s ability to execute strategic partnerships.

Launched in 2019 as part of the Vision 2030 framework, NIDLP operates across four key sectors: energy, mining, industry, and logistics. Its core mission is to maximize economic impact by prioritizing Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and local content development. The program has already overseen billions of riyals in investments, streamlined regulatory processes, and launched initiatives to boost non-oil exports. The mining sector, in particular, has been identified as a ‘third pillar’ of the Saudi economy alongside oil and petrochemicals, with the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources targeting mining’s contribution to GDP to rise from $17 billion to $64 billion by 2030.

Key Details

What exactly will visitors experience at NIDLP’s interactive space? Located within the advanced mining technology exhibition, the area features 19 global startups selected for their innovative potential. These companies are presenting technologies that address challenges across the mining value chain—from geological surveying and extraction to processing, transportation, and environmental remediation. Examples include AI-powered mineral detection platforms, drone-based mapping solutions, and modular processing units that reduce water and energy consumption. The startups hail from countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Chile, and the United Kingdom, reflecting the forum’s international character and Saudi Arabia’s appeal as a testbed for scalable solutions.

The partnership between NIDLP and Newlab is structured to accelerate commercialization. Newlab provides startups with access to prototyping labs, mentorship, and a network of corporate partners and investors. In Saudi Arabia, Newlabksa adds a layer of localized support, including regulatory navigation, pilot project facilitation, and connections to entities like the Ministry of Investment and the Saudi Industrial Development Fund. This ecosystem approach is designed to de-risk entry for foreign innovators while ensuring that their solutions are adapted to the Kingdom’s geological and operational context. For NIDLP, the payoff is a pipeline of technologies that can enhance the competitiveness of Saudi mining and logistics firms.

Beyond the exhibition, NIDLP’s participation includes panel discussions and bilateral meetings. Program officials are expected to outline progress on initiatives such as the Saudi Mining Investment Law, which offers incentives for exploration and processing, and the development of special economic zones like the Ras Al Khair Industrial City. These efforts are part of a broader push to attract $170 billion in mining investments by 2030. The forum also provides a venue for announcing new agreements, with previous editions yielding deals on mineral exploration, training, and infrastructure. While specific announcements for 2025 are pending, the presence of 19 startups signals a strong focus on technology transfer and job creation for Saudi youth.

International and Regional Impact

How does Saudi Arabia’s mining push resonate beyond its borders? The Kingdom sits atop vast mineral reserves that are increasingly vital for the global energy transition. Demand for copper, lithium, nickel, and rare earths is projected to quadruple by 2040 as countries electrify transport and scale renewable energy. By positioning itself as a reliable supplier and a hub for mining technology, Saudi Arabia can become a linchpin in global supply chains, reducing dependence on concentrated sources in Africa and Latin America. The Future Minerals Forum itself has become a diplomatic tool, with ministers from Africa, Asia, and Latin America attending to forge partnerships on exploration, processing, and beneficiation.

Regionally, the forum reinforces Saudi Arabia’s role as a stabilizing economic force in the Middle East. Mining development in the Kingdom can spur cross-border infrastructure projects, such as rail links to Jordan and Egypt, and create opportunities for neighboring countries to participate in value chains. The presence of Newlab, a U.S.-based entity, also signals strong Saudi-American collaboration in technology and innovation—a relationship that extends beyond energy. For international investors, the forum offers a transparent view of Saudi Arabia’s regulatory reforms, including the new mining investment law that guarantees foreign ownership and profit repatriation. This predictability is crucial for long-term capital deployment in capital-intensive mining projects.

Economic and Strategic Significance

What economic dividends can Saudi Arabia expect from its mining ambitions? The sector is central to Vision 2030’s goal of diversifying away from oil. Mining already contributes about 1.5% of GDP, but the government aims to raise this to 5% by 2030, creating over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs. The development of the mining value chain—from exploration to refining and manufacturing—can also feed into other industrial sectors, such as automotive (electric vehicle batteries), construction (steel and aluminum), and technology (semiconductors). NIDLP’s focus on local content ensures that a significant portion of the value is retained domestically, boosting small and medium enterprises and developing a skilled workforce.

Strategically, mining underpins Saudi Arabia’s energy transition and national security. The Kingdom needs minerals like copper and rare earths for its own solar farms, wind turbines, and EV manufacturing. By securing domestic supply, it reduces vulnerability to global price shocks and export restrictions. Moreover, the mining sector complements the Kingdom’s logistics ambitions; efficient ports and rail networks are essential for exporting minerals and importing equipment. NIDLP’s integrated approach—spanning energy, mining, industry, and logistics—creates synergies that amplify economic impact. For example, mining operations in remote areas require energy infrastructure, which can be shared with renewable projects, and logistics corridors that serve multiple industries.

Vision 2030 Alignment

How does NIDLP’s participation in the Future Minerals Forum advance Vision 2030? The program is a direct embodiment of the Vision’s three pillars: a vibrant society, a thriving economy, and an ambitious nation. By fostering a mining ecosystem that attracts global talent and investment, NIDLP helps build a diversified, knowledge-based economy. The focus on Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies ensures that Saudi Arabia is not just extracting resources but also developing the digital and engineering skills of its people. The partnership with Newlab exemplifies international collaboration, a key enabler of Vision 2030, and reinforces the Kingdom’s openness to business and innovation.

Looking ahead, the 2025 forum is a stepping stone toward Saudi Arabia’s goal of becoming a global mining hub by 2030. The technologies showcased by the 19 startups could lead to pilot projects, joint ventures, and commercial deployments in the Kingdom. As these solutions mature, they will enhance the efficiency and sustainability of Saudi mining, making it a model for responsible resource development. The Kingdom’s leadership in convening the Future Minerals Forum also cements its role as a global convener and problem-solver, capable of bridging developed and developing nations. For international observers, the message is clear: Saudi Arabia is open for business, committed to innovation, and determined to shape a prosperous, sustainable future for all.

20 Questions

Q1. What is the National Industrial Development and Logistics Program (NIDLP)?

A1. NIDLP is a Saudi government program launched in 2019 under Vision 2030 to transform the Kingdom into a leading industrial powerhouse and global logistics hub, focusing on energy, mining, industry, and logistics sectors.

Q2. What is the Future Minerals Forum?

A2. The Future Minerals Forum is an annual international event held in Riyadh that brings together governments, industry leaders, and innovators to discuss and shape the future of the global minerals sector, with a focus on sustainable development.

Q3. When and where is the fourth edition of the Future Minerals Forum taking place?

A3. The fourth edition is being held in Riyadh from January 14 to 16, 2025, at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, under the patronage of King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Q4. What is Newlab and how is it involved?

A4. Newlab is a global innovation platform based in New York that partners with NIDLP to support startups. It established its regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia as Newlabksa to foster entrepreneurship and technology transfer.

Q5. How many startups are showcased at NIDLP’s interactive space?

A5. NIDLP, in partnership with Newlab, is showcasing 19 global startups presenting innovative technologies designed to address challenges across the mining value chain.

Q6. What technologies are these startups presenting?

A6. The startups are presenting technologies such as AI-driven mineral exploration, autonomous drilling, drone-based mapping, and modular processing units that enhance efficiency and reduce environmental impact in mining operations.

Q7. What agreement was signed between NIDLP and Newlab?

A7. During the previous edition of the Future Minerals Forum, NIDLP and Newlab signed an agreement that led to the establishment of Newlab’s regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia, known as Newlabksa.

Q8. What are the four key sectors NIDLP focuses on?

A8. NIDLP focuses on energy, mining, industry, and logistics, aiming to maximize economic impact by prioritizing Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and local content development.

Q9. How does NIDLP align with Saudi Vision 2030?

A9. NIDLP directly supports Vision 2030 by diversifying the economy away from oil, creating jobs, attracting investment, and positioning Saudi Arabia as a global industrial and logistics leader.

Q10. What is the significance of the mining sector for Saudi Arabia’s economy?

A10. Mining is considered the third pillar of the Saudi economy after oil and petrochemicals, with the goal to increase its GDP contribution from $17 billion to $64 billion by 2030.

Q11. How does the Future Minerals Forum benefit international participants?

A11. The forum offers international participants access to Saudi Arabia’s vast mineral resources, regulatory reforms, and partnership opportunities, fostering global collaboration in mining technology and investment.

Q12. What role does Newlabksa play in Saudi Arabia?

A12. Newlabksa facilitates international collaborations, attracts investments, and supports entrepreneurship by helping startups transition from concepts to impactful solutions in energy, mining, and logistics.

Q13. What are some examples of challenges addressed by the showcased technologies?

A13. The technologies address challenges such as inefficient exploration, high water and energy consumption in processing, safety risks in drilling, and environmental remediation in mining operations.

Q14. How does NIDLP support local content and job creation?

A14. NIDLP prioritizes local content by requiring companies to source goods and services domestically, which stimulates SME growth and creates skilled jobs for Saudi nationals in industrial and logistics sectors.

Q15. What is the estimated value of Saudi Arabia’s mineral resources?

A15. Saudi Arabia’s untapped mineral resources are estimated at $2.5 trillion, including gold, copper, phosphate, and rare earth elements essential for the global energy transition.

Q16. How does the forum promote sustainability in mining?

A16. The forum emphasizes sustainable development by showcasing technologies that reduce environmental impact, improve energy efficiency, and promote responsible resource extraction and processing.

Q17. What economic benefits can Saudi Arabia expect from mining development?

A17. Mining development is expected to create over 200,000 jobs, boost GDP contribution to 5%, attract $170 billion in investments, and stimulate related industries like manufacturing and logistics.

Q18. How does NIDLP’s participation reflect Saudi Arabia’s global engagement?

A18. NIDLP’s participation demonstrates Saudi Arabia’s openness to international collaboration, its leadership in convening global stakeholders, and its commitment to innovation and sustainable development.

Q19. What are the next steps after the forum for NIDLP and Newlab?

A19. Following the forum, NIDLP and Newlab will continue supporting the 19 startups in piloting projects, forming joint ventures, and commercializing technologies within Saudi Arabia’s mining ecosystem.

Q20. How can international companies engage with NIDLP?

A20. International companies can engage with NIDLP through its website, participate in future forums, or contact the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources to explore investment and partnership opportunities in Saudi Arabia.

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