Saudi Arabia is planning to offer several projects to the private sector to tap its massive mineral wealth with a value of more than 40 billion Saudi riyals ($10.6 billion), Zawya reports, citing a local newspaper.
The projects include the construction a copper, zinc and lead smelter, an alumina refinery, the production of phosphorous and its derivatives and other products, the Arabic language daily Aliqitisadia said, quoting a statement by the Saudi Industry and Mineral Resources Ministry, according to the Zawya.
The report added that more projects could be identified after the completion of geophysical surveys in some areas of the Gulf Kingdom for the exploration of Lithium, a metal used in the manufacture of car batteries and other products.
