Saudi Arabia’s Mining Push Is a Challenge for Everyone Else

The kingdom’s emergence will make it even harder for the US and Europe to secure access to commodities.

The drill site at the new zinc and copper open-pit mine about 200 kilometers (125 miles) west of Riyadh.Photographer: Tasneem Alsultan/SAUDI MINING

Welcome to Energy Daily, our guide to the energy and commodities markets powering the global economy. Today, reporter Thomas Biesheuvel looks at Saudi Arabia’s emergence in global mining. To get this newsletter sent straight to your inbox, you can sign up here .

Saudi Arabia’s plunge into the world of mining has caught the industry’s attention as the nation prepares to deploy vast amounts of capital to diversify away from oil and gas.