JEDDAH: Jordan signed two agreements to explore mineral resources in Wadi Abu Al-Buraq and Samra Al-Taybeh in the southern part of the country, aiming to attract investment and create jobs. 

The first memorandum of understanding allows prospecting for base, precious, critical and strategic minerals — including rare earth elements — across 13.9 sq. km in the Jabal Samra Al-Taybeh area for a period of 67 weeks, the Jordan News Agency, also known as Petra, reported. 

The second MoU covers the exploration of gold ore, as well as base, precious, critical, and strategic minerals, and rare earth elements, over 106 sq. km in the Jabal Abu Al-Buraq area for 98 weeks. 

Mining is a central pillar of Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision, which aims to raise the sector’s contribution to gross domestic product to 2.1 percent by 2033, expand employment to 27,000 workers and lift exports to 3.4 billion Jordanian dinars ($4.8 billion).

The government estimates untapped opportunities at about $1.14 billion, including in calcium phosphate and specialized phosphate products. 

The deals were signed by Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Saleh Kharabsheh and Bassam Fakhouri, director general of the Chemical and Mining Industries Co. 

“At the signing ceremony, Kharabsheh said the step will strengthen the mining sector’s contribution to the national economy and support investment, knowledge transfer, and job creation under an integrated national program to develop and utilize Jordan’s mineral resources,” Petra reported. 

He added that the MoUs support the government’s strategy to expand responsible investment and foster partnerships with qualified national and international firms, facilitating technology transfer and creating jobs for Jordanians. 

The minister said the agreements build on earlier MoUs covering gold, copper, rare earth elements, phosphate and lithium, with three additional agreements currently under negotiation. 

Jordan’s mining industries currently export to 61 countries, with India accounting for 44 percent of shipments, followed by Indonesia, China, Egypt and Brazil, according to a Jordan Chamber of Industry report cited by Petra. Exports rose 12 percent in the first nine months of the year to 859 million dinars. 

The sector, which includes phosphate, potash and chemical minerals, employs around 8,000 people directly and supplies most of Jordan’s domestic demand.