Maaden Highlights Technology Innovation at Flagship Gold Project in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabian mining company Maaden is already seeing the benefits of technology innovation at its flagship Mansourah-Massarah gold mine, where it is developing the region’s first digital mine, supported by global measurement technologies company Hexagon.
The Maaden digital mine Mansourah-Massarah project is intended to serve as a blueprint for the company’s future mining operations, with digitally enhanced workflows expected to be rolled out across Maaden’s broader asset portfolio. At Mansourah-Massarah, Hexagon’s life-of-mine technology solutions are being deployed to integrate sensors, software and autonomous technologies, improving efficiency, productivity, quality and safety across operations.
Through its collaboration with Hexagon, Maaden is embedding advanced digital capabilities into the Maaden digital mine Mansourah-Massarah, leveraging intelligent data and digital reality solutions to enhance operational discipline, performance and long-term sustainability. The partnership aims to establish new benchmarks for intelligent mining in the Kingdom while supporting scalable growth.
Speaking to Mining Weekly at the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Riyadh on January 15, Hexagon Mining President Dave Goddard described Maaden as a strategically important partner.
“Our partnership with Maaden is super exciting, because we’re providing an end-to-end portfolio of products that is being integrated into their daily operations to create the first modern mine in Saudi Arabia,” Goddard said.
He noted that Hexagon is supporting Maaden’s objectives around operational discipline and digital mining from the outset of mine development.
“Maaden is at the forefront of inventing a truly modern mine that leapfrogs several traditional workflows. Applying digital tools at the very beginning allows them to outperform legacy mining operations in terms of productivity,” he explained.
As the Maaden digital mine Mansourah-Massarah continues to evolve, Hexagon expects to incorporate operational feedback into future product development, identifying opportunities for further digital tools and software enhancements.
Resource-Rich Gold Portfolio
On January 12, Maaden reported resource additions of 7.8-million ounces of gold across four key areas in Saudi Arabia, covering operating mines, early-stage prospects and new discoveries. The company continues to build a robust gold growth pipeline within the Kingdom.
“The addition of more than seven-million ounces through drilling demonstrates the scale and ongoing potential of Maaden’s gold portfolio,” said Maaden CEO Bob Wilt. “From operating mines to new discoveries, we are still in the early stages of unlocking the Arabian Shield’s gold potential.”
At the Maaden digital mine Mansourah-Massarah, a three-million-ounce net year-on-year increase was recorded. The project’s mineral resource now stands at 116-million tonnes grading 2.8 g/t, equating to 10.4-million ounces of gold. Maaden notes that the scale and grade support a long-life operation, with additional open-pit and underground potential.
Drilling has confirmed that mineralisation remains open at depth, and exploration is set to continue throughout the year, with further growth expected as geological understanding improves.
Localisation and Skills Development
Alongside technological innovation, Maaden is strengthening localisation efforts by increasing Saudi employment and attracting young talent into the mining sector.
Speaking at the FMF, Abdulrahman Al-Belushi, Deputy Minister for Mining Development at Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, highlighted strong youth interest in natural resources careers, supported by educational reform and industry collaboration.
Initiatives include the launch of a new mining college at King Fahad University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) and curriculum upgrades at King Abdulaziz University, integrating data science, AI and innovation into mining-related disciplines.
Goddard added that Hexagon is set to sign a memorandum of understanding with King Abdulaziz University to provide training, internships and industry exposure for mining students, while also promoting greater participation of women in the mining workforce in Saudi Arabia and Africa.
