Aramco and Maaden JV to explore copper and energy‑transition minerals in Saudi Transition Zone
- Proposed JV ownership: 51% Maaden and 49% Aramco.
- Exploration area: Zone‑4 (Transition Zone), ~182,000 km² — nearly 10% of Saudi Arabia, in a 100 km‑wide strip parallel to the Arabian Shield.
- Primary target copper; also targeting zinc, lead and rare earth elements.
- JV will combine Aramco’s subsurface data, AI and high‑performance computing with Maaden’s exploration and mining expertise.
Transaction and ownership
Aramco and Maaden signed a shareholders’ agreement to form a joint venture focused on mineral exploration and hard‑rock mining, with Maaden holding 51% and Aramco 49% of the JV. Plans for the JV were first disclosed in January 2025.
Exploration area and targets
The JV would operate across Zone‑4, the Transition Zone within the Arabian Platform, covering approximately 182,000 square kilometres — nearly 10% of Saudi Arabia — along a roughly 100‑kilometre‑wide corridor parallel to the Arabian Shield. Copper is the primary focus, alongside other energy‑transition minerals including zinc, lead and rare earth elements.
Technical approach
The JV intends to combine Aramco’s extensive subsurface geological and geophysical datasets with advanced computational algorithms, artificial intelligence and high‑performance computing, paired with Maaden’s exploration and development expertise, to accelerate screening, target definition and discovery at lower cost.
Market context and conditions
Copper is highlighted as a critical metal for EVs, power networks, storage and renewables, accounting for over 20% of the $1.2 trillion mined metals market; the copper market is cited at about $250 billion today and projected to exceed $400 billion by 2035. The effectiveness of the shareholders’ agreement and JV incorporation is conditional on corporate and regulatory approvals, including antitrust clearance.
Source: Aramco