From January 11 to January 19, 2025, a delegation led by Cheng Liwei, Party Secretary and President of the China Mining Association (CMA), paid an official visit to Saudi Arabia at the invitation of the host country. During the visit, Cheng Liwei attended the 4th Future Minerals Forum (FMF) and delivered a speech at the Ministerial Roundtable. He also participated in the FMF China Promotion Session and the FMF China Special Session, hosted by the China Mining Association and organized by Zijin Mining Group.
During the visit, President Cheng Liwei and the CMA delegation met with Bandar Al-Khorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia, as well as several deputy ministers. They also held discussions with Dr. Shalamani, Director General of the Saudi Geological Survey, Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chang Hua, senior executives of the Saudi Public Investment Fund, and Mohamed Khaled, Minister of Petroleum, Energy, and Mines of Mauritania. The delegation visited the Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, Ajlan & Bros Holding Group, MSA Saudi Arabia Branch, the Saudi Project Department of the Xi’an Geological Survey Center under the China Geological Survey, and the Saudi Branch of China Geological and Mining Corporation. Through a series of meetings, the delegation reached broad consensus with various parties on strengthening mining cooperation.
During the forum, President Cheng Liwei introduced the China Mining Association, the China International Mining Conference, and the development of China's mining industry. He proposed suggestions for promoting the sustainable development of global energy and mineral resources and safeguarding global energy and resource security. He emphasized that mineral resources are a crucial guarantee for promoting economic and social development by providing energy and raw materials. As the world's second-largest economy, China has become the largest producer, consumer, and trader of mineral products globally, playing a pivotal role in the development of the global mining industry. On the grand stage of the FMF, he called on countries to strengthen policy dialogue, deepen strategic communication, enhance openness, optimize investment environments, deepen practical cooperation, and achieve mutual benefits and win-win outcomes.
The 4th Future Minerals Forum was held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, attracting over 18,000 participants from 165 countries and regions, with 96 sessions organized during the event. Saudi Arabia has been hosting this forum in recent years to promote international cooperation in the mining sector and enhance the industry's influence. In his speech, Bandar Al-Khorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of Saudi Arabia, stated that the Future Minerals Forum has become an important global platform, highlighting Saudi Arabia's position in the mining sector. During this forum, government representatives from 89 countries attended the Ministerial Roundtable.
The CMA delegation included Chen Jinghe from Zijin Mining Group, Dong Jianxiong, Deputy General Manager of Aluminum Corporation of China, Yao Jiang, Vice President of Huawei Digital Energy, and representatives from over 20 enterprises, including China National Gold Group. After the forum, the delegation visited the microgrid project of Huawei Digital Energy in the Red Sea New City. Cong Weike, Supervisor of the China Mining Association, participated in the entire event.
