KSA’s Industry and Mineral Resources Ministry (MIM) launched the pre-qualification stage for five mining exploration sites in the kingdom, according to a statement. The sites are rich in a variety of minerals including gold, copper, zinc, and lead, the statement notes. The qualification stage will be followed by a proposal stage where international bidders will provide pitches for managing the social and environmental impacts. Licensing for the five sites is expected to be completed by 2Q and 3Q 2023, the Saudi Gazette reports.

Saudi Arabia is pushing its mining industry forward: The kingdom signed an MoU with Standard Chartered Bank last week to assess the requirements for sustainable investments in its mining sector, with a focus on accelerating projects and investments in mining and mining value chains — including green metals and battery components. MIM signed an MoU last month with the Diriyah Gate Development Authority to regulate the country’s mining businesses and exchange geophysical and geotechnical data, as part of determining locations to mine materials.

Dewa is looking at using hydrogen in the UAE’s mobility sector: Dubai’s Water and Electricity Authority (Dewa) signed an MoU with the Emirates National Oil Company Group to conduct a feasibility study to explore the potential of using hydrogen as a fuel in the UAE’s mobility sector, according to Wam. Under the agreement both parties will collaborate on the construction of a hydrogen fueling station in Dubai as part of the Dubai Green Mobility Initiative for 2030.

OTHER STORIES WORTH KNOWING ABOUT THIS MORNING-

  • Six Singaporean companies — including utility company Daily Life Renewable Energy (DLRE) and software developer Graymatics — have been tapped by Abu Dhabi to develop smart city pilot projects to increase energy efficiency across the emirate. The pilot for which DLRE was selected will include a focus on using renewables to power public recreation centers. (The National)
  • Saudi Telecom (stc) and Ericsson have joined forces to recycle e-waste in KSA. The partnership falls under the Ericsson Product Take-Back Program and includes the collection and transportation of stc’s decommissioned equipment to limit its environmental impact through recycling. (Statement)
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