AMAK showcases Saudi Arabia’s mining potential

From left: Abdulrahman Al-Belushi, assistant deputy minister for mining enablement; Mohammed bin Manea Aballala, chairman at AMAK; Geoffrey Day, CEO at AMAK; Turki Albabtain, deputy minister for mining development; and Ahmed bin Muhammad Faqih, deputy minister for mining control.
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Updated 20 January 2025
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AMAK showcases Saudi Arabia’s mining potential

Al-Masane Al-Kobra Mining Company highlighted the Kingdom’s emerging position as a global mining hub during the Future Minerals Forum 2025 and announced the addition of three new exploration licenses for base and precious metals after winning the seventh round of the mining bids organized by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources.

Underlining the recent operational achievements that demonstrate the sector’s growth potential, Geoffrey Day, chief executive officer of AMAK, said: “Saudi Arabia has established itself as one of the most progressive and supportive countries for mining development. The Kingdom’s mineral wealth, estimated at SR9.4 trillion ($2.5 trillion) according to the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, combined with supportive government policies and initiatives, along with infrastructure development projects, creates unprecedented opportunities for international collaboration.”

Strategic growth and operational excellence

AMAK has accomplished several significant milestones that accelerate the Kingdom’s mining sector, in line with the goals outlined in Saudi Vision 2030. These include the completion of the Moyeath processing plant within the Al-Masane Mine. The expansion has increased annual ore processing capacity to 1.2 million tonnes, enabling a combined production of 30-40 kt of copper concentrate, 60-80 kt of zinc concentrate, 35-45 koz of gold, and approximately 500 koz of silver.

As part of its 2025 strategic growth plan, AMAK is advancing several key projects. These include the Khutainah Gold Project, and the Nuham Iron Ore Project with more than 7 Mt resources. The company also plans to initiate underground mining operations at the Guyan Gold Mine in 2025, which is expected to reduce gold production costs through higher-grade underground reserves and lower production costs.

Sustainability and national talent

The company’s commitment to sustainable practices includes initiatives to connect its facilities to the national power grid, which will reduce diesel consumption and improve the company’s carbon footprint. AMAK is also expanding its dry tailing storage capacity to accommodate all current and future mineable reserves, supporting both operational growth and environmental sustainability.

In alignment with Vision 2030’s focus on human capital development, AMAK has achieved a 36 percent localization rate in its workforce. The company’s partnership with the Saudi Mining Polytechnic has been instrumental in training Saudi youth for specialized roles in the mining sector. 

Recently, 30 Saudi trainees completed a comprehensive two-year diploma program and are now actively contributing to various operational areas.

“Our growth strategy fully supports the Kingdom’s vision by developing Saudi Arabia’s rich mineral resources while contributing to local economies,” Day said. “The expansion of our operations, combined with our focus on sustainability and national workforce development, demonstrates our commitment to creating long-term value for all stakeholders.”

Transformative potential of mining

Day also highlighted the transformative potential of Saudi Arabia’s mining sector in addressing global mineral supply challenges. “The Kingdom is strategically positioned to become a key supplier of critical minerals essential for the global energy transition. With our expanding operations and focus on innovation, AMAK is well-positioned to support this transformation.”

The company’s strategic approach aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader ambitions to rank among the top 10 mining countries globally. AMAK’s recent investments in exploration and processing capabilities demonstrate the opportunities available within the Kingdom’s mining sector, which is supported by robust infrastructure development, including ports, modern highway networks, and industrial zones.

“What makes Saudi Arabia particularly attractive for mining investment is the combination of geological wealth, strategic location between Asia, Europe, and Africa, and the introduction of the Mining Investment Law,” Day added. “These factors, coupled with the Kingdom’s commitment to developing the sector, create an unprecedented opportunity for global partnerships.”

AMAK’s participation in FMF 2025, marking its fourth consecutive year at the forum, reflects its ongoing commitment to advancing Saudi Arabia’s mining sector. The company continues to implement advanced technologies, including prospectivity mapping and systems for real-time tracking of metals from mine to smelter, positioning itself at the forefront of mining innovation in the region.


Sony expands LED display family with Crystal LED CAPRI

Updated 18 June 2025
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Sony expands LED display family with Crystal LED CAPRI

Sony is expanding its lineup of LED walls with the debut of Crystal LED CAPRI. The new CAPRI series achieves a maximum brightness of 1,500 cd/m2 with a 2.50 mm LED pitch size. Key features include high refresh rates and brightness, a wide color gamut, and anti-reflection. Additional benefits include installation flexibility, familiar structure, streamlined maintenance, and compatibility with Sony’s ecosystem of virtual production technologies. The new models, ZRD-VS25FB and ZRD-VS25FM, are compatible with the Brompton controller and the Megapixel controller, respectively.

The CAPRI models are targeted to a broad range of customers looking to cost-effectively support virtual production applications, including television, feature films, commercials, and broadcast, as well as for rental and staging purposes. The CAPRI series offers options that ensure the high picture quality synonymous with Sony at a more accessible price. CAPRI also complements Sony’s premium flagship Crystal LED VERONA.

The CAPRI series is expected to be available this winter. A sample of the CAPRI was on display on June 11-13 at InfoComm 2025 in Orlando in Sony’s booth.

“With the announcement of CAPRI, Sony is furthering our commitment to the creation of spatial content, such as virtual production, by giving a wider range of users opportunities for flexibly showcasing images in high fidelity,” said Rich Ventura, vice president, professional display solutions, Sony Electronics Inc. “We’ve broadened our lineup to offer more cost-conscious choices, which expand the market in support of high-quality virtual production at every level and ensure the growth of Sony’s distinctive virtual production ecosystem.”

Impressive picture quality

Virtual productions rely on high quality imagery. The CAPRI series combines high refresh rates of up to 7,680 Hz to reduce scanline artifacts and ensure smooth, fluid motion. With a high brightness of 1,500 cd/m2, complemented by coverage of over 98 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut, the displays accurately reproduce lifelike images. Additionally, the new models feature anti-reflection capabilities to mitigate the impact of reflection from lighting equipment.

Fast and easy installation

The latest CAPRI series also takes advantage of recent installation advancements to ensure fast and efficient setup. Offering a 1:1 cabinet optimized for temporary installations, such as virtual production stages, the models can quickly and easily be assembled and dismantled using locating pins for easy alignment and a tool-free lever locking mechanism.

Industry standard control

Through alignment with Brompton’s Tessera SX40 and Megapixel’s HELIOS, the CAPRI models maintain control using the same familiar tools and interfaces already commonly deployed in the industry, alleviating the need for additional training and maximizing uptime.

Streamlined maintenance

To keep virtual productions focused on the creative processes, the CAPRI has thoughtful features that simplify maintenance. LED module blocks can be changed from the rear and feature status indication lights for easily identifying which blocks need service.


Abu Dhabi delegation on US visit seeks healthcare partnerships

Updated 18 June 2025
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Abu Dhabi delegation on US visit seeks healthcare partnerships

A high-level delegation led by the Department of Health — Abu Dhabi, has embarked on a strategic mission to the US from June 14 to 21. The visit reaffirms Abu Dhabi’s global leadership in healthcare innovation and reflects its broader vision for healthcare transformation — driven by innovation, investment, and a deep commitment to global collaboration.

The delegation is visiting key US cities including Boston, Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, in parallel with Abu Dhabi’s participation at BIO International Convention 2025, one of the world’s foremost biotechnology events. The visit spotlights the emirate’s achievements in AI, digital health, genomics, and clinical research and showcases Abu Dhabi’s Health, Endurance, Longevity and Medicine Life Science Cluster, while promoting long-term strategic partnerships with government entities, research institutions, and global innovators.

Dr. Noura Khamis Al-Ghaithi, undersecretary of the Department of Health — Abu Dhabi, said: “This mission reflects our commitment to shaping the future of health through collaboration, innovation, and shared purpose. Our vision is to build a health system that predicts, prevents, acts to restore, and acts to cure, therefore ensuring better outcomes for our communities and beyond. This can only be achieved through meaningful partnerships and a shared ambition to improve lives. We are proud to join our partners in the US to explore new opportunities that advance healthcare, both in the UAE and globally.”

The delegation will conduct over 20 strategic meetings and visits with public and private sector leaders across the US, aimed at knowledge exchange, investment opportunities, and the signing of new agreements that accelerate the adoption of advanced health solutions.

Representing Abu Dhabi’s innovation ecosystem, the delegation includes key stakeholders such as the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Mubadala BIO, M42, Masdar City, KEZAD, PureHealth, and Etihad Cargo.


Deloitte Middle East advances AI integration with launch of Global Agentic Network

Updated 18 June 2025
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Deloitte Middle East advances AI integration with launch of Global Agentic Network

Deloitte has launched its Global Agentic Network, a strategic initiative designed to scale AI-driven digital workforce solutions for organizations around the world, with significant potential to transform business operations across the Middle East.

As AI adoption accelerates in the region, Deloitte’s agentic AI offering provides a future-forward solution that combines intelligent automation with human expertise. Through its global network spanning EMEA, Asia Pacific, and North America — and with a growing regional focus in the GCC — Deloitte is bringing AI-powered agents to enterprises looking to drive operational efficiency, accelerate growth, and reimagine how work gets done.

Agentic AI refers to software agents capable of autonomously executing tasks, orchestrating workflows, and adapting based on input from users or other systems. These agents, powered by large language models and machine learning, are designed to learn and evolve — making them ideal for complex, dynamic business environments.

In the Middle East, where government and private sector agendas alike are emphasizing digital transformation, the Global Agentic Network supports national strategies for AI innovation and economic diversification. Deloitte is already supporting regional clients in sectors such as energy, government, and financial services to implement agentic solutions that streamline decision-making, improve efficiency, and unlock value at scale.

“The Middle East is on a rapid trajectory toward AI-led transformation, and Agentic AI is a game-changer for how businesses operate,” said Yousef Barkawie, Deloitte Middle East Gen AI leader.

“At Deloitte, we’re helping our clients navigate the world of AI transformation by architecting and building the capabilities and trust needed for them to scale out their AI deployments and transform at the core. Our clients are finding new efficiencies in their ways of working, streamlining their operations, and reimagining their entire value chains. This is an exciting moment to help shape what the future of work looks like in our region, especially as governments and industries double down on innovation and future-readiness.”

The Global Agentic Network includes alliances with leading technology platforms and the launch of solutions like Zora AI, Deloitte’s suite of proprietary AI agents that can autonomously perform complex business functions. These tools are already being deployed within Deloitte’s own operations, as part of the firm’s broader ambition to become an AI-fueled organization by 2030.


NEOM Energy and Water Company wins global recognition

Updated 16 June 2025
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NEOM Energy and Water Company wins global recognition

Saudi Arabia’s NEOM Energy and Water Company has been named first runner-up in the Innovative Research and Development Award (International Institutions category) during the fourth cycle of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Global Water Award. The company was recognized for pioneering membrane-based crystallization technology that enables high-efficiency freshwater recovery and mineral extraction from brine.

Held under the umbrella of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Global Initiatives and supervised by the UAE Water Aid Foundation, the $1-million-award supports research institutions developing scalable, sustainable solutions to address global water scarcity through renewable energy and advanced technologies.

The NEOM-developed system replaces traditional energy-intensive thermal evaporation with a membrane-based approach. Using forward-osmosis principles and specially engineered membranes, the technology enables the extraction of valuable minerals such as salt, lithium and bromine, while simultaneously recovering desalinated water from seawater or brackish brine. The system operates at just 7 kWh per cubic meter, compared to 75-80 kWh/ cubic meters in conventional thermal systems.

The process begins with standard seawater reverse osmosis, where chemically embedded membranes capture more than 99 percent of targeted minerals. The brine then passes through a two-stage brackish water reverse-osmosis system that isolates and concentrates the minerals to a purity of 99.5 percent or more.

The pilot plant, located at the Duba Desalination Plant in Saudi Arabia, operates at a capacity of 1,200 cubic meters per day and has demonstrated strong performance under real-world conditions, with a technology readiness level of six. Beyond reducing environmental impact and operating costs, the innovation has the potential to redefine the economics of desalination by enabling mineral recovery at scale.

“The global water crisis threatens health, food security and economic development. By investing in advanced water technologies and fostering collaboration among governments, the private sector and innovators, we can find effective, sustainable solutions for billions affected,” said Dr. Noura Chehab, head of the research and innovation team at the NEOM Water Innovation Center.

“Receiving this award recognizes our team’s years of work and inspires us to continue advancing technologies that enhance ocean water use and help solve critical water challenges for a more sustainable future,” said Dr. Nikolay Voutchkov, executive director of the NEOM Water Innovation Center.


Major infrastructure and transport upgrades boost Hajj experience

Updated 16 June 2025
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Major infrastructure and transport upgrades boost Hajj experience

The Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites significantly enhanced the pilgrim experience during Hajj by implementing advanced infrastructure projects, particularly in the energy and transportation sectors.

In a substantial investment exceeding SR3 billion ($800 million), the commission boosted electricity capacity in the holy sites by 95 percent and distributed more than 7 million cubic meters of water, ensuring robust essential services for pilgrims.

The commission also managed an integrated transportation system involving over 23,000 buses. It launched the General Center for Transport as a unified hub to streamline movement. This center spearheaded the public transportation plan for all stages of the Hajj, in collaboration with the Public Security. Dedicated frequency lanes for buses drastically reduced travel time to just 20 minutes.

In cooperation with the Ministry of Health and Kidana Development Company, the commission increased bed capacity in the holy sites by more than 60 percent and opened an emergency hospital. It also equipped 71 rapid intervention points for the Saudi Red Crescent Authority, shaded over 170,000 square meters of paths with rubber flooring, and planted 23,000 trees in Mina.

Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites CEO Saleh Al-Rasheed commended the tireless efforts of the wise leadership, which he said were instrumental in the success of this year’s Hajj season. He also lauded the continuous cooperation and diligent work of all participating entities.