RIYADH: Industrial technology company Hexagon has made a significant investment in King Saud University to help train the next generation of mining talent in the Middle East, according to a top official.

Speaking to Arab News on the second day of the Future Minerals Forum, which is being held in Riyadh from Jan. 14 to 16, Dave Goddard, executive vice president of mining at Hexagon, explained that the training would utilize advanced digital tools and software.

The agreement, finalized during the forum, builds on Hexagon’s ongoing collaboration with mining ventures in the region. This follows a landmark deal in 2024 with Saudi Arabian Mining Co. to launch the region’s first-of-its-kind digital mine.

The initiative also aligns with the Kingdom’s broader efforts to position mining as the third pillar of its industrial economy.

“One of the things that’s important for us is to give back to the mining community and ensure the long-term viability of the mining industry,” Goddard said. “And the only way that happens is people retire every year, and college students come into the environment as well.”

He continued: “So, what we’ve done is we’ve made a partnership with the universities in order to provide them some digital tools that the mining companies use, so that when they graduate, and they go into industry, they are already digital natives. They already have the skills and attributes necessary to enter into the digital mining realm. And so that’s what we’re really doing: investing in the future of mining by investing in the future leaders of mining.”

Goddard also elaborated on the firm’s partnership with Ma’aden.

“We have a partnership agreement with Ma’aden, our primary customer here in Saudi Arabia. And we have a partnership with them to build a digital mine, where we’re providing the tools, materials, and software to digitalize their mining operations in order for them to be an optimal miner and a world-class miner, which they currently are,” he said.

Regarding the mining process, Goddard described it as breaking down large rocks into smaller pieces to extract valuable minerals or compounds.

“You have a mine plan that has a digital representation of what that ore looks like inside the ground, and then you have a digital representation of the truck that is carrying that mineral around, and you have a digital representation of the drill that is drilling through the material,” Goddard explained.

“When you take that software and those digitalization parameters, what you’re really doing is reflecting the real world in a digital model and allowing yourself to model an optimal process to extract that real-world material in a digital manner,” he added.

He also mentioned the company’s drill assist product, which helps equipment drill 30 percent faster than a human.

“In terms of a fleet management system, we can provide the same material flow rate using 20% fewer trucks if you use our fleet management system. So, if you think about it, there’s not only the cost savings, but there’s also an energy savings because you’re using less material,” Goddard said.

“And that energy savings correlates to less impact on the environment, a lower carbon emission, and a smaller carbon footprint. So, we help our mining customers address not only their operational challenges but also their sustainability challenges as well,” he added.

Goddard further highlighted how mining influences global wealth and standards of living.

“Knowing that the world around us would not exist without mining and the natural materials that mining provides, as the wealth of the world grows and people enjoy richer lifestyles, demand for mineral resources will increase. And we want to be in the middle of that, providing the tools necessary to optimize the extraction of those resources,” he said.

He also discussed Hexagon's approach to providing digital solutions for mining operations.

“What we have are two different portfolios,” Goddard explained. “One is a planning portfolio that allows mining companies to optimize the extraction sequence in order to maximize the material that comes out of the mine. The second portfolio is our operations portfolio, which helps them optimize equipment and material movement during the actual mining operations and extraction activities.”

RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and the UK are deepening mining ties as the British government seeks to secure critical minerals for industries such as artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. 

On Jan. 14, the two nations signed an agreement to collaborate on mineral resource development, emphasizing sustainable practices, technology transfer, and economic growth. 

In an interview with Arab News on the sidelines of the ongoing Future Minerals Forum, the UK Minister for Industry, Sarah Jones, highlighted the growing collaboration between the two Kingdoms. 

She emphasized the importance of partnerships in the critical minerals sector, which are vital for advancements in AI, green energy transitions, and emerging technologies. 

“The quantity of critical minerals we’re going to need in the future is significantly bigger than we have today, and I think Saudi Arabia has taken quite a leadership role with the Future Minerals Forum, convening so many countries to come together and talk about this,” Jones said. 

The minister outlined the challenges and opportunities as both countries work to address the surging global demand for essential minerals. She expressed confidence in the potential of the UK-Saudi partnership to tackle these challenges effectively. 

The UK’s expertise in mining finance, as well as it universities — renowned for research and technical knowledge — position it as a valuable partner for Saudi Arabia in mining and exploration.

Jones emphasized that Britain’s focus on mining finance, combined with its global academic reputation, strengthens the collaboration. 

“We wanted to have a relationship where we work together on some of these challenges, and I think this is the start of what will be a strengthening relationship going forward,” she said. 

The minister expressed excitement about future collaborations, including sustainable mining practices, innovative financing structures, and technological advancements to meet the growing demand for critical minerals. 

The UK government, under Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is taking a proactive approach to shaping its industrial future, especially in sectors integral to the global green transition and technological progress. 

“We’re looking at things slightly differently,” said Jones. “We’re trying to be more proactive in devising what are the industries of the future that we need in the UK. Where do we get our supply chains from? How do we make sure we’re secure?” 

As part of its new industrial strategy, Britain is prioritizing critical minerals, recognizing their essential role in advanced manufacturing, green energy, and AI. 

Jones highlighted the government’s determination to position the UK as a key player in the global minerals market and equip domestic industries for future demands. 

“We’re setting the directions of all of our companies and our businesses know the sectors that we want to grow and the direction that we want to go in,” she said. 

To support this strategy, the British government has established funding mechanisms like the National Wealth Fund and UK Export Finance to mitigate risks associated with critical minerals mining, technology development, and sustainable practices. 

In addition to the UK-Saudi partnership, Jones discussed opportunities for joint investment in mining projects in third countries. 

She proposed collaboration on initiatives in Africa, where both nations have significant interests and could combine resources to meet growing mineral demands. 

“Can the UK and Saudi Arabia have a project in an African country? We have several kinds of ideas, thoughts that we could do together,” she said. 

Jones also highlighted the rising interest in mining within the UK, citing developments such as lithium and tin mining in Cornwall, which could support both the UK’s industrial needs and the global green transition. 

The conversation touched on the ethical and environmental challenges associated with mining. Jones acknowledged the industry’s troubled history, including issues of worker mistreatment, environmental damage, and resource mismanagement. 

As demand for minerals grows, she stressed the need for mining practices to evolve, becoming more sustainable and equitable. 

“Historically, mining has been difficult in terms of the way that countries and people have been treated,” Jones said. “We’ve got to make sure where mining is sustainable and helping the countries that are supporting those mines, we have to make sure we’re creating wealth there and these things are hard, and that’s why countries need to work together.” 

She concluded by emphasizing the importance of global cooperation in addressing critical mineral challenges. 

“I think we can talk to each other between Saudi Arabia and ourselves about how some of these funding mechanisms work, how we support each other’s companies, and how we develop and help other countries to, to develop what they need as well. But it’s a huge challenge and that’s why we’re here,” Jones said.