Saudi Arabia Announces Major Gold Discovery of 7.8 Million Ounces
Saudi Arabia has made a massive gold discovery. The Kingdom announced it found 7.8 million ounces of gold across four different sites. This marks one of the biggest resource additions in Saudi Arabia's modern mining history. It highlights the huge untapped mineral wealth in the Arabian Shield region.
Maaden Leads Extensive Drilling Campaign
The state-backed mining company Maaden identified these new resources. They conducted an extensive drilling campaign across the country. The campaign covered operating mines, early-stage prospects, and completely new discoveries. Maaden disclosed the findings on January 12, 2026. The company described this program as one of the largest exploration efforts ever conducted within a single jurisdiction.
In a statement, Maaden explained the drilling activities initially defined more than nine million ounces of gold. After standard annual reporting adjustments, including revised cost and commodity price assumptions, the net additions came to 7.8 million ounces. These additions significantly boost Saudi Arabia's gold resources.
Breakdown of the Gold Discoveries
The most substantial increase came from Maaden's flagship Mansourah Massarah operation. Targeted drilling there delivered a net year-on-year increase of three million ounces. Additional exploration at the Uruq 20/21 and Umm As Salam prospects contributed a combined 1.67 million ounces. Meanwhile, Wadi Al Jaww delivered a maiden Mineral Resource estimate of approximately 3.8 million ounces.
Advanced drilling across the Central Arabian Gold Region identified multiple new mineralized zones. Near-mine drilling at the historic Mahd gold mine has expanded the known resource envelope. Maaden said the expanded footprint will now be assessed for a potential extension of the mine's operational life.
Company Leadership Validates Strategy
Maaden's Chief Executive Officer Bob Wilt said the results validate the company's long-term exploration strategy. He stated they justify continued investment in domestic gold resources.
"The results leave no doubt that the company's long-term strategy is working on the ground. This is exactly why we continue to invest heavily in Saudi Arabia's gold endowment," Wilt said.
"The addition of more than seven million ounces through drilling across the four areas demonstrates the scale and ongoing potential of Maaden's gold portfolio. It continues to deliver as we advance exploration and mine development."
He added that this growth directly supports future cash generation. It shows the company remains at an early stage of unlocking the Arabian Shield's gold potential.
Progress Beyond Gold and Detailed Estimates
Maaden also highlighted progress beyond gold. Early-stage drilling at Jabal Shayban and Jabal Al Wakil identified copper, nickel, and platinum group element mineralization. The company said this is consistent with large-scale mineral systems. It supports Maaden's ambition to build a diversified, multi-commodity portfolio.
At Mansourah Massarah, the latest Mineral Resource estimate now stands at 116 million tonnes grading 2.8 grams per tonne. This equates to 10.4 million ounces of gold. Extension and conversion drilling defined an additional 4.2 million ounces. This reinforces the mine's long-life potential with both open-pit and underground opportunities.
Maaden confirmed that mineralization remains open at depth. Drilling will continue through 2026. The company expects further growth as the system becomes better understood.
Strategic Importance for Saudi Arabia
Taken together, these discoveries mark a significant step in Saudi Arabia's drive to expand its mining sector. This expansion is part of broader economic diversification efforts. The discoveries position gold, alongside emerging base metals, as a central pillar of that strategy.
