---
title: "Saudi Arabia Announces 110 Million Tonnes of Uranium-Bearing Ore in Madinah"
url: https://alitoday.com/saudi-arabia-announces-110-million-tonnes-of-uranium-bearing-ore-in-madinah/
date: 2026-09-16
modified: 2026-09-16
lang: en
author: "Alitoday"
description: "RIYADH : Saudi Arabia has announced the discovery of around 110 million tonnes of uranium-bearing ore in the Madinah region, as the Kingdom continues to expand its mineral resources and..."
categories:
  - "Muslim World"
  - "News"
  - "Top Stories"
tags:
  - "KSA"
  - "Madinah"
  - "MBS"
  - "Saudi Arabia"
  - "Uranium"
image: https://i0.wp.com/alitoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/converted-29.webp?fit=840%2C509&ssl=1
word_count: 397
---

# Saudi Arabia Announces 110 Million Tonnes of Uranium-Bearing Ore in Madinah

**RIYADH **: Saudi Arabia has announced the discovery of around 110 million tonnes of uranium-bearing ore in the Madinah region, as the Kingdom continues to expand its mineral resources and develop plans for nuclear power.

Saudi Energy Minister Prince [Abdulaziz bin Salman](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdulaziz_bin_Salman_Al_Saud) announced the discovery on Monday at the International Atomic Energy Agency’s General Conference in Vienna, according to Saudi state television.

Geological studies have identified elevated concentrations of uranium in the Medina region.

[Saudi Arabia](https://alitoday.com/tag/saudi-arabia/) is also assessing uranium that could potentially be recovered as a byproduct of its large phosphate industry.

“Exploration and geological studies at the Jabal Sayid project in Madinah have revealed estimated resources of around 110 million tonnes of ore with high concentrations of rare earth minerals, especially the heavy elements, alongside promising concentrations of uranium,” [Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman said](https://x.com/alekhbariyaeco/status/2099456723194900801?s=46) at the International Atomic Energy Agency General Conference

### 110 million tonnes does not mean

The figure refers to the uranium-bearing ore or material, not the amount of pure uranium contained in it.

The quantity of uranium that can ultimately be recovered will depend on factors including the concentration of uranium in the ore, geological conditions and the economics of extraction.

Identified uranium occurrences do not automatically mean that all of the material is commercially recoverable.

### Saudi Arabia expands nuclear plans

The announcement comes as Saudi Arabia moves forward with plans to introduce **nuclear power** into its energy mix.

In July,[ Saudi Arabia ](https://alitoday.com/tag/saudi-arabia/)and the United States signed a civil nuclear cooperation agreement establishing a framework for American companies to supply nuclear technology and equipment to the Kingdom.

The U.S. Department of Energy described the agreement as the foundation for a long-term, multibillion-dollar nuclear partnership.

Saudi Arabia has historically had no domestic uranium enrichment industry and currently does not produce nuclear power.

Prince Abdulaziz said the Kingdom's nuclear programme would be exclusively peaceful and pursued transparently in cooperation with the IAEA.

### Part of Saudi Arabia’s mineral strategy

The uranium announcement also fits into Saudi Arabia’s wider strategy to develop its mineral sector and reduce its dependence on oil.

The Kingdom is already a major global producer and exporter of phosphate-based fertilizers and has increasingly been exploring opportunities involving critical minerals, rare earth elements and other natural resources.

If commercially recoverable uranium resources are developed, they could eventually become part of Saudi Arabia’s broader effort to use domestic minerals to support its future nuclear-energy programme.