Driving sustainable progress in the UAE's mining sector

In a keynote address at The Mining Show in Dubai, H.E. Saif Ghubash Almarri, Assistant Undersecretary for Petroleum, Gas & Mineral Resources at the UAE's Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, laid out an ambitious vision for the future of the country's mining industry.

Almarri emphasised that this event is "more than just a conference" - it is a "call for action" that brings together government, businesses, and innovators to collaborate on building solutions to global challenges.

“Our world is at a turning point. The demand for minerals, particularly energy transition minerals, is soaring, driven by our collective ambition to embrace clean energy and a sustainable future,” he said.

“Lithium, copper, cobalt-these are no longer just elements on a periodic table. They are the building blocks of tomorrow's energy, powering electric vehicles, renewable grids, and technologies that will shape the next century.”

Growth of the sector

The strategic goals outlined by Almarri are nothing short of transformative. The UAE aims to increase the presence of mining companies by 10%.

This builds on impressive recent achievements, including a 61% rise in the UAE’s industrial exports reaching US$187bn by the end of 2023, and a 55% contribution from the sector to GDP growth over the past three years, hitting US$205bn.

However, Almarri made it clear that the focus extends far beyond just the numbers.

"Progress with environmental responsibility" is the true north star, he stated. The keynote emphasised that the mining industry's impact spans exploration, materials, investments, and ultimately, the demands placed on countries, communities, and the planet as a whole.

To address this multifaceted challenge, Almarri promised that the discussions at The Mining Show would delve into "extreme insights" and cutting-edge technologies. The goal is to find innovative ways to meet the industry's environmental responsibilities while harnessing the power of today's capabilities.

Underlying it all is a call for renewed collaboration. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the UAE aims to catalyse solutions that balance economic progress with environmental stewardship - a model that could have far-reaching implications for the global mining sector.