Critical Minerals Developments in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Mining and mineral processing has been gaining momentum for Arab Gulf states as a means of diversifying natural resources beyond oil and gas. Capital & diplomatic efforts have taken strides and shed light upon on the region as active participants locally and serious partners in the global mining sector.

In the United Arab Emirates, KEZAD Group and UAE-based Titan Lithium have signed a 50-year land lease to build a state-of-the-art lithium processing plant in Abu Dhabi’s Khalifa Industrial Area. With an AED 5 billion (equivalent to $1,361,285,000.00) investment, the plant will produce battery-grade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide, sourced from Zimbabwe. This development positions the UAE as a key player in the global lithium market and supports its innovation and sustainable development goals. The project will create jobs, stimulate the local economy, and align with the UAE’s commitment to increasing electric vehicle adoption by 2050.

Internationally, the UAE was the first Arab nation to establish foreign deals in the extractive sector and has significantly expanded its mining investments across resource-rich regions, particularly in Latin America and Africa. 

Mining in the Gulf region has emerged as a key area of opportunity driven by strong diplomatic and financial support through strategic investments, infrastructure development, and partnerships. The Arab Gulf states, particularly Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are intensifying their focus on the mining sector to secure their economic futures.

Read more on developments in the critical minerals space in the UAE and the other Arab Gulf States here.

You can also engage with leading stakeholders in critical minerals from Middle East and beyond at Mining & Critical Minerals Middle East Conference and Exhibition, a global event to be held in Dubai from 12 - 13 May 2025. More information can be found at https://www.miningcriticalminerals.com/