• MINING INDABA
China and Saudi Arabia: Driving exploration While most traditional mining jurisdictions are scaling back exploration, two countries are emerging as the primary drivers of activity: China and Saudi Arabia.
China, with its enormous domestic demand and industrial policy orientation, continues to prioritise securing raw materials for strategic industries. The government has actively supported outbound investment by Chinese firms into Africa, Latin America, and Central Asia, despite the political and logistical challenges. For Beijing, exploration is not simply a commercial activity, but a strategic imperative tied to energy security and global competitiveness.
The war in Ukraine, tensions in the South China Sea, and resource nationalism in Africa and South America are forcing mining companies to rethink where they allocate scarce exploration capital.
Saudi Arabia, meanwhile, is pursuing an aggressive push to diversify its economy under the Vision 2030 framework. Mining is at the heart of this strategy, with the kingdom aiming to become a leading global hub for mineral exploration and production. The Saudi Geological Survey has been undertaking extensive mapping campaigns, and international mining companies are being enticed with incentives ranging from favourable tax regimes to co-investment opportunities. Unlike many
jurisdictions, the kingdom has created a policy environment
that signals long-term stability, which is attractive in the current climate of global uncertainty.
Both the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and China continue to invest heavily in exploration and project development and acquisitions in Africa. This is done to ensure that their domestic demand for
minerals and metals is met and securing future feedstock for their industry. •
Dr Nicolaas C Steenkamp is an independent consultant, specialising in geological, geotechnical and geometallurgical projects and mining project management. He has over two decades of industry experience with global exposure.( ncs. contract @ gmail. com)
Dr Nicolaas C Steenkamp
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34 • African Mining • January 2026 www. africanmining. co. za