Saudi Arabia Discovers Massive Rare Earth and Uranium Deposit
Medina, Tuesday, 15 September 2026.
Saudi Arabia has uncovered 110 million tonnes of uranium-bearing and rare earth ore in Madinah, containing an estimated 31,000 tonnes of uranium to power its emerging civil nuclear program.
Announcement at IAEA General Conference
On Monday, 14 September 2026, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman announced the discovery of an estimated 110 million tonnes of uranium-concentrated ore in the Madinah region [1][3]. Speaking at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) general conference in Vienna, the Minister identified the site as the Jabal Sayid project, noting it contains high concentrations of rare earth elements alongside uranium [1][5]. This disclosure marks a significant development in the Kingdom’s strategic pivot toward nuclear energy diversification and mineral resource exploitation [2][4].
Strategic Nuclear Partnership with the United States
The discovery aligns with a landmark civil nuclear cooperation agreement signed between Saudi Arabia and the United States in July 2026 [2][3]. This Section 123 agreement establishes a legal framework for American companies to supply nuclear technology and equipment, potentially including uranium enrichment facilities within the Kingdom [2][4]. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright described the agreements as a commitment to strengthening commercial relations and delivering security to allies [1]. The partnership aims to support Saudi Arabia’s goal of introducing nuclear power into its energy mix, transitioning away from historical dominance by oil and natural gas [4][5].
Resource Valuation and Economic Context
Analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, citing Saudi Ministry data, estimates the Jabal Sayid site holds approximately 31,000 tonnes of uranium alongside significant rare earth deposits [3]. The value of Saudi Arabia’s rare earth element discoveries was reported at $100 billion in November 2025, representing a 90% increase from 2018 levels [3]. Based on this growth rate, the 2018 valuation can be derived as 52.632 billion [3]. This economic expansion underscores the Kingdom’s broader effort to turn mineral resources into a primary pillar of its economy alongside energy exports [2][4].
Technical Uncertainties and Future Outlook
Despite the substantial ore tonnage, the Energy Minister did not disclose the specific uranium grade or contained uranium estimates, leaving commercial viability uncertain [4][6]. Ore tonnage alone does not establish the size of a uranium resource without data on concentration, mineralogy, and recovery rates [2][4]. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi confirmed Saudi Arabia is advancing its nuclear power program with a strong commitment to non-proliferation and transparency [5]. The Kingdom continues to explore uranium recovery as a byproduct of its phosphate industry while assessing the economic utilization of the Madinah deposits [2][5].