Saudi Arabia is planning to more than triple the contribution of its mining industry to national wealth as measured by GDP by 2030, according to the Minister of Energy Khalid al-Falih. The Kingdom is finalising a mining strategy aimed at raising annual mining revenues from SAR64bn (USD17bn) to SAR240bn (USD64bn) by 2030, Al-Falih said, adding that the recent discovery of gas reserves on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast, where many of the country's mineral reserves are located, would help fuel the mining expansion. "The ministry will develop this vital sector... double the number of work opportunities in the sector and boost exploration activities.” (Reuters)