Digital buyer journeys
What digital buyer journeys means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Event overview
Overview
The Future Minerals Forum 2027 is a pivotal event bringing together governments, industry leaders, and investors to shape resilient and sustainable mineral value chains. Scheduled from January 12 to 14 at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, this forum serves as a global platform for collaboration and dialogue on critical issues facing the minerals sector.
Future Minerals Forum takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Venue: King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center.
TL;DR
- 1Dates and Venue: Future Minerals Forum 2027 runs from January 12 to 14 at King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- 2Scale and Focus: The forum is a global platform for governments, industry leaders, and investors to discuss sustainable mineral value chains.
- 3Organiser: The event is hosted by Future Minerals Forum, with registration available on their official website.
- 4Buyer Authority: Attendees include government officials, industry executives, and investors shaping the future of minerals.
- 5Entry: Registration is open now for delegates to secure their participation.
Why visit
Attending the Future Minerals Forum provides invaluable insights into the evolving minerals landscape, with opportunities to network with key stakeholders and participate in high-level discussions. Engage with industry leaders and policymakers to understand the challenges and opportunities in securing sustainable mineral supply chains.
Why exhibit
Exhibiting at the Future Minerals Forum allows organizations to showcase their innovations and solutions to a global audience of decision-makers. The forum is a global platform for governments, industry leaders, and investors to discuss sustainable mineral value chains. Attendees include government officials, industry executives, and investors shaping the future of minerals.
Attendees, exhibitors & solutions
Who this event is for
Visitor profile
Typical attendee groups you can expect to meet.
Mining and metals executives (CEO, COO, country manager level) from majors, mid-tiers and junior explorers active in Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East
Government delegations: mining and energy ministries, geological surveys and state-owned mining companies setting licence, royalty and offtake policy
Sovereign wealth funds, private equity, streaming and royalty financiers underwriting mineral projects and processing capacity
Battery and EV supply chain buyers sourcing lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, rare earths and manganese
Steel, aluminium, phosphate and fertiliser producers buying iron ore, bauxite, coking coal and phosphate rock
Exploration and mine development service providers: drilling contractors, assay labs, geophysics and mine planning consultancies
Mining equipment, processing and METS technology vendors evaluating Middle East and African projects
Legal, tax, ESG, permitting and advisory firms supporting cross-border mineral transactions
Academics, think tanks and trade press tracking critical minerals policy and supply security
Exhibitor profile
Main supplier and exhibitor segments present at the show.
Exploration and mining companies presenting projects, resources and reserves to investors and offtakers
State-owned mining and minerals development companies promoting licensing rounds and joint ventures
Drilling contractors, assay laboratories, geophysics and mine-planning consultancies selling technical services
Mining equipment manufacturers: haulage, drilling, ventilation, comminution and materials handling
Mineral processing, smelting, refining and battery-material producers positioning midstream capacity
METS and digital mining vendors offering automation, fleet management, remote operations and mine software
Engineering, procurement and construction firms plus infrastructure and logistics providers for remote sites
ESG, permitting, water and tailings management specialists, and legal and financial advisers structuring deals
Product categories
Key solution areas showcased across the event.
Exploration technology: drilling rigs and consumables, core logging, geophysics, geochemistry and assay services
Mine development and operations equipment: haul trucks, excavators, loaders, drills, ventilation and ground support
Comminution and beneficiation: crushers, grinding mills, flotation cells, gravity and magnetic separators
Smelting, refining and hydrometallurgy equipment and process engineering
Battery raw materials and precursor production: lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, manganese and rare earth processing
Bulk commodities and steelmaking inputs: iron ore, bauxite and aluminium, coking coal and ferroalloys
Industrial minerals and fertiliser feedstocks: phosphate rock, potash, sulphur and derivatives
Mine decarbonisation: solar and wind plus storage, electrified fleet, low-carbon power purchase arrangements
Water management, tailings storage, dust control and mine closure and rehabilitation services
Digital mining: fleet management systems, autonomous haulage, remote operations centres and resource modelling software
Project finance, royalty and streaming structures, insurance and risk advisory for mineral projects
Government investment promotion: licence areas, geological survey data, fiscal terms and industrial zone incentives
Location & Facilities
Venue
King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Facilities
Parking
King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center in Riyadh typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Food options
On-site catering
On-site diningParking: King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center in Riyadh typically provides on-site or adjacent visitor parking during major trade fairs; confirm daily rates, payment methods and hall access on the organiser or venue website before travel.
Gate: Follow organiser signage to the main visitor entrance at King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center for badge collection; allow extra time for security screening during peak morning arrival.
Attend
Entry & tickets
Intelligence
Market context
Key market insights, trends, news and related events to help you understand the bigger picture.
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Why it matters
On 2027-01-12 to 2027-01-14, Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh covering Mineral exploration technologies, Sustainable mining practices, Mineral processing and refining solutions, Investment op gives trade buyers a single calendar window to compare suppliers, validate specs on the stand, and book follow-ups before the next buying cycle - especially when your roadmap matches the published exhibitor profile.
Industry trends
Key trends shaping this market and its wider industry.
Sustainability in procurement
What sustainability in procurement means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Automation and labour efficiency
What automation and labour efficiency means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Regional supply-chain resilience
What regional supply-chain resilience means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Hybrid engagement models
What hybrid engagement models means for buyers and exhibitors in this sector.
Plan your trip
Travel & logistics
Local currency · SAR
Arrival airports
Choose from the following airports, with convenient access to the event and venue.
Riyadh
Primary international gateway serving Riyadh.
to venue
by car
Hotel tiers
A range of accommodation options near the venue and across key areas.
Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers
4-star
Central Riyadh4.5
USD 150–190 / night
Approx. SAR 560-715 per night (USD 150-190) for the 12-14 January 2027 window, estimated from a captured Google Hotels quote and converted from the local listing. Pool and free parking, which suits delegates driving to the conference center. Recheck live rates for your exact dates.
Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention by IHG
5-star
Riyadh4.7
USD 230–265 / night
Approx. SAR 860-995 per night (USD 230-265) for the same window. Convention-style property with spa and hot tub facilities, practical if you need meeting space alongside the show. Estimate based on a captured Google Hotels quote for 12-14 January 2027.
Holiday Inn Riyadh - Al Qasr by IHG
5-star
Riyadh4.4
USD 215–250 / night
Approx. SAR 805-940 per night (USD 215-250), a slightly lower band than the neighbouring IHG full-service property. Facilities include spa and hot tub per the captured listing. Confirm the exact nightly rate and cancellation terms directly with the hotel.
Marriott Riyadh Diplomatic Quarter
4-star
Diplomatic Quarter, Riyadh4.5
USD 165–205 / night
Approx. SAR 620-770 per night (USD 165-205). Diplomatic Quarter location is convenient for government and embassy meetings arranged around the forum. Band derived from a captured Google Hotels quote for 12-14 January 2027 and marked as an estimate.
InterContinental Riyadh by IHG
5-star
Riyadh4.5
USD 240–280 / night
Approx. SAR 900-1050 per night (USD 240-280). Full-service property commonly used for corporate delegations; expect forum-week premiums. Rate band is an estimate from a captured Google Hotels quote for 12-14 January 2027, not a confirmed block rate.
JW Marriott Hotel Riyadh
4-star
Riyadh4.3
USD 175–215 / night
Approx. SAR 655-805 per night (USD 175-215). The captured Google Hotels set showed this as the highest-quoted property of the six for the 12-14 January 2027 window. Treat as a top-of-range indication and recheck availability before committing a delegation.
Local transport
Get around the city with these convenient transport options.
taxi
Estimated costApprox. SAR 90-140 metered taxi for the 51-59 km run (estimate; confirm the fare with the driver or rank before departure)
Best forKing Khalid International Airport (RUH) to King Abdulaziz International Conference Center
Captured drive times of 40-47 minutes via Northern Ring Road, Route 40 and Route 80. Airport ranks are the simplest option with luggage and sample cases.
ride-hail (app)
Estimated costApprox. SAR 80-130 app quote, higher during peak arrival waves (estimate; confirm the in-app price before booking)
Best forRiyadh (RUH) to King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center
Ride-hailing is widely used in Riyadh and usually undercuts a rank taxi outside surge periods. Pick-up points at the terminal are designated, so follow airport signage to the app pick-up zone.
metro + feeder bus
Estimated costApprox. SAR 4-8 for a single end-to-end public transport journey (estimate; confirm current fares and card rules)
Best forRUH airport to the venue via Riyadh Metro Line 4 and connecting lines
Captured routing shows about 1 hour 24 minutes using Metro 4, Metro 1, Metro 2 and bus 380, or 1 hour 34 minutes using Metro 4 and bus 730. Cheapest option but slow with luggage; not practical for heavy exhibition freight.
taxi (hotel to venue hop)
Estimated costApprox. SAR 25-55 for a 10-20 minute cross-district taxi ride (estimate; varies with traffic and hotel location)
Best forCentral Riyadh and Diplomatic Quarter hotels to the conference center
The short hotel-to-venue leg is the one most delegates take daily. Agree the meter or a fixed price before setting off, and allow extra time on the opening morning.
metro (city trips)
Estimated costApprox. SAR 4-6 per single metro trip within the city (estimate; confirm fare bands by zone)
Best forCentral Riyadh hotel cluster to stations serving the venue corridor
Riyadh Metro gives a cheap, air-conditioned way to move between the Diplomatic Quarter, KAFD and central hotel districts, but the final approach to the venue usually needs a taxi or bus. Check walking distances in advance.
private car / parking
Estimated costApprox. SAR 0-30 per day where a paid venue-area car park is used (estimate; venue tariffs not published in captures)
Best forSelf-drive to the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center
Major Riyadh conference venues are built for car access and normally offer on-site or adjacent parking. Confirm delegate parking validation, gate entrances and hall access with the venue before driving.
Weather
Riyadh in mid-January sits in the cool season. Expect daytime highs around 20-23 C and nighttime lows near 8-10 C, with occasional colder snaps after a northern wind. Rain is infrequent but short showers can occur, and dust or haze is possible when winds pick up. Conference halls are heavily air-conditioned, so a jacket or light layer is useful indoors as well as after dark. These are climatological bands, not a forecast: check a current Riyadh forecast in the week before travel.
Plan for the climate
Check temperatures and pack accordingly
Venue connectivity
Saudi Arabia has fast mobile data on national networks including STC, Mobily and Zain, with prepaid tourist SIMs sold at the airport and in city stores; bring your passport for registration at the point of sale. Travellers with an eSIM-capable handset can usually buy a Saudi data plan before departure. Hotel and venue Wi-Fi is standard for delegates, but treat public networks as untrusted for deal documents and use a VPN or mobile hotspot for confidential material. Power is 220-230 V at 60 Hz with type G sockets, and type A or B plugs also appear, so pack a universal adapter for laptops and stand equipment.
Ride-hailing
Taxis
Public transit
Car rentals
Cultural notes
Useful information to help you have a smooth and respectful visit.
Business dress and conduct
Conservative business dress is expected: suits or smart separates, with shoulders and knees covered. Handshakes are normal in corporate settings, but allow a Saudi counterpart to initiate where you are unsure. Business cards are exchanged with the right hand and a brief exchange of pleasantries before commercial detail.
Weekend, working hours and prayer times
The Saudi weekend is Friday and Saturday, so schedule calls home and internal meetings accordingly. Government offices and some businesses observe shorter hours and pause around prayer times; meetings scheduled late morning or after mid-afternoon usually run more smoothly around the conference programme.
During the forum week
The conference center is a professional, mixed-gender environment with international delegates, and photography of people should be by consent. Alcohol is not served in Saudi Arabia, including at hotel receptions, so plan hospitality around dinners and majlis-style meetings rather than evening drinks.
Riyadh practicalities
Tipping is not obligatory but rounding up a taxi fare or leaving 10 percent in a restaurant is appreciated. Cards are widely accepted, though cash helps at taxi ranks and small shops. The city is car-oriented and distances between districts are long, so group meetings by area rather than assuming you can walk between venues.
Practical guides
Visitor & Exhibitor Essentials
Everything needed to arrive prepared, navigate the event, and make the visit productive.
Flights
Destination: RUH
Riyadh is served nonstop from most Gulf and European hubs, and the captured fare spread for a 12 January 2027 departure shows how wide pricing can be on the same day. On the short DXB-RUH corridor, flyadeal was quoted at about SAR 720 one way against roughly SAR 910 on Emirates, with a flight time of about 2 hours 25 minutes. Long-haul examples in the same capture include Gulf Air from Singapore via Bahrain at about SAR 2,703 (11 hours 50 minutes), nonstop Saudia from Tokyo Narita at about SAR 3,304 (13 hours 55 minutes), Royal Jordanian from New York JFK via Amman at about SAR 4,045, nonstop Saudia or Delta from JFK at about SAR 6,473, Qatar Airways with Virgin Australia from Sydney via Doha at about SAR 8,679, and a much slower one-stop Sydney routing via Manila at about SAR 6,469 with 41 hours 45 minutes total travel. Dubai fares were flagged as currently typical and Singapore as currently high. These are indicative quotes for one date, not event-week pricing, so re-run searches for 10-12 January 2027 and book early because Riyadh hotel and air capacity tighten around forum week.
Transport
Get to the venue and around the city with these options.
Airport → venue: Primary gateways: Riyadh (RUH): Primary international gateway serving Riyadh.. Allow road or rail time to King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center; on-site parking is usually available at major exhibition venues.
Hotel → venue: Precinct hotels near King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center: Central Riyadh: Sheraton Riyadh Hotel & Towers; Riyadh: Crowne Plaza Riyadh RDC Hotel & Convention by IHG; Riyadh: Holiday Inn Riyadh - Al Qasr by IHG.
Ride-hail: Ride-hailing apps, chiefly Uber and Careem, operate across Riyadh and are the default for delegates moving between hotels, the conference center and evening meetings. App pick-ups at King Khalid International Airport use designated zones away from the taxi rank, so follow signage rather than accepting the first approach from a driver inside the terminal. Expect surge pricing when delegations land together on 11 and 12 January and when sessions end, and confirm the plate number in the app before getting in. Some drivers prefer cash for short hops, so keep small Saudi Riyal notes available.
Public transit: Riyadh Metro opened its six-line network in late 2024 and is complemented by a bus network, giving delegates a cheap air-conditioned alternative to taxis for city trips. Captured routing from the airport to the conference center uses Metro Line 4 from the terminal, changes onto Lines 1 and 2 with feeder bus 380 for about 1 hour 24 minutes, or Line 4 with bus 730 for about 1 hour 34 minutes. Fares are a few riyals per journey, and stored-value or app-based ticketing is standard. The metro is excellent for reaching central districts and the King Abdullah Financial District, but the last leg to the venue usually needs a taxi or bus, so check station-to-venue walking distances before committing.
Parking: The King Abdulaziz International Conference Center is designed for car access and major Riyadh conference venues typically provide on-site or adjacent parking, with overflow into surrounding lots during large events. Delegate parking validation, daily tariffs and hall-level entrances for the 2027 edition are not published in the material captured for this listing, so confirm with the venue or organiser before driving, and allow 15-20 minutes to park and clear security during the opening morning. If you are staying at a hotel with free parking, leaving the car there and taking a taxi for the 10-20 minute hop is often quicker.
Weather
Plan and pack for the event climate.
Month: January 2027
Temperature: Approx. 8-10 C at night rising to about 20-23 C by day (Riyadh January climatology; confirm the actual forecast before travel)
Seasonality: January falls in Riyadh's cooler season and is one of the wetter months of the year by local standards, though rainfall is still low and usually arrives as short showers rather than sustained rain. Dust or haze is possible when northern winds lift desert material, and temperature swings between day and night are wide.
Packing: Pack for cool mornings and evenings plus mild afternoons: a jacket or light coat, layers that work in strongly air-conditioned conference halls, and comfortable shoes for the large venue campus. Add sunglasses, a light scarf for dust, high-factor sunscreen, a refillable water bottle and a universal power adapter for type G sockets. Formal business dress with covered shoulders and knees covers both the conference and most government meetings.
Plan your trip
Planning
Best day to visit: Day 2 (mid-show)
Mid-show days at Future Minerals Forum usually combine full exhibitor attendance with scheduled B2B meetings, before early pack-down on the final day.
T-14
Confirm your registration status on futuremineralsforum.com and check that your badge confirmation has been issued. FMF approval is not instant, so chase the organiser if you have no confirmation email.
T-13
Book flights into King Khalid International Airport (RUH) aiming to land on 11 January so you are in Riyadh before the opening day and can absorb any schedule change.
T-12
Secure a hotel in the central Riyadh or Diplomatic Quarter corridor. Forum week is a peak period for Riyadh room rates, and the best-connected properties fill first.
T-11
Submit or finalise your Saudi visa application, whether a host-sponsored business visit visa or an eVisa where your nationality is eligible, and keep the reference number to hand.
T-10
Assemble the documents you may be asked for at immigration and at badge collection: invitation letter, hotel booking, return ticket and company ID.
T-9
Build a target meeting list of ministries, state mining companies, project owners and downstream buyers, then send meeting requests rather than relying on the show floor.
T-8
Download the programme and mark the ministerial sessions, country spotlights and technical panels that match your commodity or service line.
T-7
Decide your ground transport. Taxi or ride-hail from RUH runs roughly SAR 90-140 and 40-47 minutes; the Metro plus feeder bus costs a few riyals but takes about 1 hour 24 minutes.
T-6
Prepare for cool evenings and heavily air-conditioned halls with a jacket or light layer, and plan conservative business dress for government meetings.
T-5
Sort payments and connectivity: some Saudi Riyal cash for taxis and tips, a card that does not block Gulf transactions, and either roaming or a local eSIM.
T-4
Produce a one-page company profile plus English and Arabic business cards, since introductions to ministries and state companies often move quickly.
T-3
Confirm meeting times and locations. The conference center campus is large, so allow 15-20 minutes to move between halls and build that into your diary.
T-2
Arrange travel insurance, save your embassy contact and note that the Saudi weekend is Friday and Saturday when planning calls back home.
T-1
Reconfirm your airport transfer, download offline maps of Riyadh, and read the organiser's arrival and security guidance before leaving for the venue.
Sample visitor itinerary
Route-optimised day
Day 1 · morning
Registration and hall orientation at King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center
Day 2 · core sessions
Supplier meetings and product demos
Day 3 · wrap-up
Final negotiations and follow-up
Networking spots
2Future Minerals Forum registration concourse
King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center
Central meeting point before and between hall appointments during show days.
Organiser B2B lounge (if offered)
King Abdul Aziz International Conference Center
Hosted matchmaking and buyer programmes when published by the organiser.
Budget
Costs & budget
Build your working budget
Adjust the inputs below to create a directional event budget.
Estimated budget
Live estimate
- Hotel × 2 nightsSAR 190.00
- Per diem × 2SAR 150.00
Estimated totalSAR 340.00
This is a directional estimate. Please verify live rates before booking.
Decision
Visit, exhibit, or skip?
Should you go?
Use this quick check to decide whether Future Minerals Forum fits your visit, exhibit or skip plan.
QUESTION 1 OF 6
For Future Minerals Forum, what is your primary role on the show floor?
Decision matrix
Compare participation options side by side to choose the best fit for your objectives.
visit
Your category focus and target suppliers align with the official exhibitor profile.
Best for
Buyers, engineers, and delegates sourcing Mineral exploration technologies and Sustainable mining practices solutions and benchmarking suppliers at Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh.
Min. budget
$2,630.00
Timeline
4-8 weeks before opening day for registration, hotels, and travel.
Risks
Session times and ticket tiers may change - confirm the official agenda before booking.
exhibit
You have a defined lead-generation or distributor recruitment goal for this market.
Best for
Brands and manufacturers launching Mineral exploration technologies and Sustainable mining practices products who need qualified meetings with the event's trade audience.
Min. budget
$11,835.00
Timeline
3-6 months for stand booking, freight, staffing, and pre-show marketing.
Risks
Booth pricing and corner premiums vary by hall - confirm with the organiser sales team.
skip
Audience, geography, or commercial goals do not justify travel and stand costs this cycle.
Best for
Teams with weak category fit, budget constraints, or overlapping commitments during the Riyadh show week.
Timeline
N/A
Risks
Skipping may mean missing buyer meetings if competitors exhibit or attend the same week.
FAQs & glossary
Answers
Frequently asked
When and where is the next Future Minerals Forum?
The 2027 edition is scheduled for 12-14 January 2027 at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Because the venue campus is large, confirm your hall assignments and final dates on futuremineralsforum.com before booking travel.
What is Future Minerals Forum and who runs it?
Future Minerals Forum is a Riyadh-hosted gathering of governments, mining companies, financiers and downstream buyers focused on mineral supply chains across Africa, the Middle East and Central and West Asia. It is convened with Saudi government backing through the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, and combines a policy and ministerial track with a commercial conference and exhibition.
Who attends Future Minerals Forum?
Expect mining and metals executives, ministers and geological survey teams, state-owned mining companies, sovereign funds and mining financiers, battery and EV supply chain buyers, steel and fertiliser producers, METS and equipment vendors, and the advisory firms that structure cross-border mineral deals.
Is Future Minerals Forum open to the public or trade-only?
It is a business and policy event rather than a consumer show. Registration is approved by the organiser, and delegates are typically asked to provide company details and a professional role when applying. Press accreditation runs through a separate media channel listed on the organiser site.
How do I register for Future Minerals Forum 2027?
Register through the official site, futuremineralsforum.com, using a corporate email address and your company profile. Approval is not instant, so apply well ahead of the January dates and keep the confirmation email, which is usually needed at badge collection in Riyadh.
Is there an exhibition as well as the conference?
Yes. Alongside the plenary and panel programme there is an exhibition floor where mining companies, equipment suppliers, laboratories, governments and service providers take stands. Exhibition and sponsorship packages are handled by the organiser's commercial team rather than through the delegate registration form.
What does it cost to exhibit or sponsor?
Space, sponsorship and stand pricing is not published on the pages captured for this listing. Request the 2027 exhibitor and sponsorship prospectus from the organiser, and treat any figure you have not received directly from futuremineralsforum.com as unconfirmed.
Which minerals does the programme focus on?
The agenda spans energy transition minerals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, rare earths and manganese, plus copper, aluminium and bauxite, iron ore and steelmaking raw materials, and phosphate and potash for fertilisers. Processing, refining and downstream manufacturing capacity in the super region is a recurring theme.
What is the 'super region' everyone refers to at FMF?
It is the mineral-rich corridor running from Africa through the Middle East into Central and West Asia. The forum uses it to frame cooperation on exploration, infrastructure, processing and offtake between resource-holding countries and capital or manufacturing hubs in the Gulf.
Will government ministers be at the forum?
Future Minerals Forum is known for a ministerial and government segment alongside the commercial programme, and country delegations typically host their own sessions and meeting rooms. Check the published 2027 programme for confirmed participating ministries rather than assuming a specific country is represented.
How do I get from Riyadh airport to the venue?
King Khalid International Airport (RUH) is roughly 51-59 km from the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center, about 40-47 minutes by car depending on route. A metered taxi or ride-hail app is the simplest option at an approximate SAR 90-140; the Metro plus a feeder bus takes around 1 hour 24 minutes for a few riyals.
Where should I stay for Future Minerals Forum?
Central Riyadh and the Diplomatic Quarter corridor have the densest concentration of 4 and 5-star hotels with meeting facilities, and they are the practical base for the venue. Rates rise during forum week, so book early and confirm whether your hotel offers a shuttle or whether you will rely on taxis.
What is the weather like in Riyadh in January?
January is Riyadh's cool season: daytime temperatures typically sit around 20-23 C, with nights dropping to roughly 8-10 C. Rain is infrequent but short showers and dusty winds are possible, so pack a light layer for air-conditioned halls and cool evenings.
Do I need a visa to attend in Riyadh?
Most international business visitors need a Saudi visa. Options usually include a business visit visa sponsored by a Saudi host entity or, for eligible nationalities, a tourist eVisa. Apply early, carry your invitation letter and hotel booking, and verify the current rules for your passport on the official Saudi visa portal.
What should I wear and how should I behave in meetings?
Conservative business dress is the norm: suits or smart separates for meetings, with shoulders and knees covered. Handshakes are common in business settings but let a Saudi counterpart initiate where you are unsure. Alcohol is not served, Friday and Saturday form the weekend, and meetings may pause around prayer times.
Is parking available at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Center?
Large conference venues in Riyadh normally provide on-site or adjacent parking, and the venue is built for car access. Daily parking charges and delegate validation rules for the 2027 edition are not published in the material captured here, so confirm with the venue or organiser before driving.
What currency and payment methods are used in Riyadh?
The Saudi Riyal (SAR) is the local currency and cards are widely accepted in hotels, malls and restaurants. Keep some cash for taxi ranks, tips and small purchases, and tell your bank you are travelling so that card payments are not blocked.
Glossary
- Critical minerals
- Minerals judged essential to energy transition, defence or industrial policy where supply concentration or geopolitical risk makes disruption costly. At Future Minerals Forum the term usually covers lithium, nickel, cobalt, graphite, rare earths and high-purity manganese, alongside copper and aluminium.
- Super region
- Future Minerals Forum's framing of the mineral belt running from Africa through the Middle East into Central and West Asia. It groups resource-rich jurisdictions that share geology, infrastructure corridors and, increasingly, joint policy and downstream-processing ambitions.
- Upstream
- Exploration, resource definition, mine construction and extraction. Upstream companies occupy the first stage of the value chain and supply raw ore or concentrate to processors.
- Midstream
- Beneficiation, smelting, refining and precursor or cathode production that converts concentrate into a tradable intermediate. Midstream investment is a recurring theme at FMF because Gulf states are building refining and battery-material plants.
- Downstream
- End-use manufacturing: battery cells, cathodes, magnets, steel, aluminium products, fertilisers and the OEMs that buy them. Downstream buyers attend FMF to secure feedstock and negotiate offtake.
- Offtake agreement
- A contract under which a buyer commits to purchase a defined volume of future production, often at a formula price. Offtake is frequently the bankable condition a project needs before lenders release construction finance.
- JORC Code
- The Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. A JORC-compliant statement is the disclosure standard investors and exchanges expect for resource and reserve figures.
- NI 43-101
- Canada's National Instrument 43-101, the technical disclosure standard for mineral projects listed on Canadian exchanges. It sets who may act as a qualified person and what a technical report must contain.
- Resource versus reserve
- A mineral resource is a concentration with reasonable prospects of economic extraction; an ore reserve is the economically mineable subset of a measured or indicated resource after applying modifying factors such as cost, recovery and permitting.
- Beneficiation
- Physical and chemical upgrading of run-of-mine ore into a higher-grade concentrate, typically by crushing, grinding, flotation, gravity or magnetic separation, before smelting or refining.
- Tailings
- The residual fine waste left after valuable minerals are extracted. Tailings storage facility design, water recovery and closure liability are among the highest-profile ESG issues discussed by operators and financiers.
- Royalty regime
- The fiscal mechanism under which a government takes a percentage of gross or net revenue from mineral production. Royalty, tax and free-carried state equity terms are usually set in the mining law and licence agreement.
- Greenfield versus brownfield
- A greenfield project is built from scratch on an undeveloped deposit; a brownfield project expands or restarts existing infrastructure. Brownfield assets are generally faster to permit and finance, which shapes deal flow discussed at the forum.
- MOU and JV
- A memorandum of understanding records intent to cooperate and is non-binding; a joint venture is a binding vehicle with defined equity, governance and funding obligations. Many government-to-business announcements at mining forums begin as MOUs.
- Battery-grade specification
- The purity thresholds a mineral must meet to enter cell manufacturing, for example battery-grade lithium carbonate or hydroxide. Meeting specification, not just producing volume, is what converts a resource into a supply contract.
- Mine life (LOM)
- Life of mine: the scheduled period over which a deposit is expected to be mined at planned production rates. LOM underpins reserve valuation, offtake tenor and closure provisioning.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Also known as
Alternate names and search phrases for this event.
- Future Minerals Forum 2027
- Future Minerals Forum Riyadh 2027
- Riyadh Saudi Arabia
- Mining & Minerals Riyadh 2027
- Mineral exploration technologies
- Sustainable mining practices
- Mineral processing and refining solutions
- Investment opportunities in mineral resources
- Mining & Minerals Conference Riyadh
- digital transformation expo
1 more alternate names hidden
Digital business cards for the show floor
Display a free company card at your booth, or share your professional card on the show floor.