Amman, March 6 – The Senate’s Energy and Mineral Resources Committee, chaired by Engineer Farouq Al-Hiyari, discussed the current state and challenges of the mining sector during its meeting today, Thursday, with the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Dr. Saleh Al-Kharabsheh.
Al-Hiyari stated that mineral wealth in the Kingdom represents one of the fundamental pillars supporting economic and social development. It plays a significant role in providing employment opportunities for local workers and meeting the local market’s demand for raw materials, as well as intermediate and final products.
He emphasized that Jordan is rich in mineral resources due to its distinctive geological diversity. This diversity has led to the discovery of various mineral resources, necessitating continued encouragement of investment in national mineral wealth in alignment with the executive program of the Economic Modernization Vision.
For his part, Al-Kharabsheh outlined the key pillars of the National Strategy for Mineral Resources and the investment opportunities available in this sector, with a focus on enhancing value-added industries and increasing reliance on local resources.
He highlighted efforts to expand geological survey activities in Jordan to produce an accurate mineral map using advanced technology, ensuring reliable results that pinpoint the locations and quantities of undiscovered mineral resources.
The minister affirmed that the ministry and various sector institutions are intensifying their efforts to evaluate, develop, and exploit phosphate in the Risha region, as well as potash, copper, gold, associated minerals, and rare earth elements in different parts of the Kingdom. These efforts aim to achieve the desired objectives and boost the sector’s contribution to economic and social development.
Senators, in turn, stressed the importance of utilizing mineral resources, maximizing their added value, and continuing efforts to implement initiatives and projects outlined in the executive program of the Economic Modernization Vision and its related strategy. They also emphasized the need to develop investment-friendly legislation in this field.