Methodology and Quality Update

Latest Update on Methodology and Quality

30/11/2025

Statistical Presentation

Data description

Mineral Resources Statistics publication is an annual publication that aims to provide beneficiaries and decision-makers with updated data on the status of the mining sector in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The publication includes detailed indicators on issued mining licenses and the international trade of minerals (exports and imports), as well as spatial data reflecting the geographic distribution of discovered mineralization sites. These indicators are presented in the form of statistical tables and analytical reports.
Mineral Resources Statistics include the following main characteristics:
•    Data on issued mining licenses.
•    International trade data (exports and imports) of minerals.
•    Spatial data on the number of discovered mineralization sites.

Classifications

The following classifications are applied in Mineral Resources Statistics.
The National Classification for Economic Activities (ISIC4):
It is a statistical classification based on the International Standard Industrial Classification of All Economic Activities (ISIC4), used to describe the productive activities of an establishment.
The level of detail used is as follows:

Harmonized System (HS)  (H.S.2022):
A classification issued by the World Customs Organization (WCO), which consists of a schedule for describing and classifying goods. It includes subheadings, their numerical codes, sections, and chapters, in accordance with the Harmonized System Convention for the Classification and Coding of Goods signed in Brussels.
The level of detail used is as follows:

Harmonized System (HS) (H.S.2022)

Statistical concepts and definitions

Terminologies and concepts of Mineral Resources Statistics:
•    Mining license:
A document issued by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources that authorises a person to conduct mining activities in a specific area in accordance with the provisions of the Mining Investment Law and its implementing regulations.
•    Mining activity:
Any operations performed on mineral deposits through prospecting, exploration, exploitation, processing, refining, or any other activities related to mining.
•    Reconnaissance:
A preliminary geological survey conducted to identify the geological environment and surface indicators of the presence of minerals and ores in general, before the start of exploration.
•    Exploration:
A detailed activity that leads to the discovery of deposits using geological, geophysical, and geochemical methods, all types of drilling, or any other suitable method, at any location, for the purpose of determining the existence of those deposits, their extensions, quantities, qualities (or grades), and the feasibility of mining them.
•    Exploitation:
The extraction of ores and minerals (by mining or quarrying), including any direct or indirect activity necessary to achieve this.
•    Processing
The purification of ores, the removal of impurities, or the increasing concentration.
•    Mining:
The process of extracting ores or beneficial mineral formations from the earth or marine areas, or other materials resulting from evaporation from seawater or natural water supplies, including any direct or indirect mining activity necessary for that purpose.
•    Mineral Deposits:
Minerals or ores naturally occurring in place and available in economically indicated quantities.
•    Mining Complexes:
Designated lands for practicing mining activities.
•    Quarries:
Places in mountains or on the ground from which rocks, minerals, or ores are extracted.
•    Minerals:
Inorganic compounds, metallic and non-metallic, have a specific chemical composition and distinctive physical properties and are classified into the following categories:
-    Category (A): Metallic minerals, precious and semi-precious stones, and ores that require advanced processing and concentration operations.
-    Category (B): Non-metallic minerals, industrial minerals, and raw materials.
-    Category (C): Materials used for construction purposes.
•    Quarry License for Construction Materials:
This license grants the investor the right to mine the minerals classified under Category (C) designated for construction purposes.
•    Exploration license:
This license grants the investor the right to explore specific minerals within a designated area through surface mining and geophysical/geochemical analysis. 
•    Exploitation license:
This license covers building materials, mining, and quarries. A Building Materials Quarry License grants the investor the right to exploit minerals classified under Category (C) that are designated for construction purposes. The Mining License, on the other hand, enables the investor to exploit Category (A) minerals, which include metallic minerals and precious and semi-precious stones, as well as Category (B) minerals, which include non-metallic minerals and industrial minerals. Meanwhile, the Small Mine License grants the investor the right to extract ores and minerals from a mine with an area not exceeding one square kilometer.
•    Reconnaissance license:
This license grants the investor the right to conduct preliminary exploration for the target minerals by visiting the selected areas and collecting samples from the designated lands.
•    Surplus mineral ores license:
This license allows the transportation of Category (C) mineral ores outside the site for the purpose of selling them or utilizing them.
•    Mineral exports:
Mineral exports refer to mineral goods that leave the Kingdom’s territory to another economy during the reference period. These exports are measured by the total weight of the commodity as recorded in international trade data, including the metal, impurities, and accompanying non-metallic materials. These values do not reflect the actual metal content, that is, the amount of pure metal within the ore or product.
•    Mineral imports: 
Mineral imports refer to mineral goods that enter the Kingdom’s territory from another economy during the reference period. These imports are measured by the total weight of the commodity as recorded in international trade data, including the metal, impurities, and accompanying non-metallic materials. These values do not reflect the actual metal content, that is, the amount of pure metal within the ore or product.
•    Number of discovered mineralization sites:
This refers to the number of geological locations where indicators or concentrations of minerals have been identified, based on the results of geological, geophysical, or geochemical surveys, or documented mineral exploration activities with the Saudi Geological Survey.
•    Number of mineralization sites by degree of significance:
It refers to the number of geological sites that have been discovered and classified according to their degree of significance (very high, high, medium, low, very low), based on the technical and evaluative criteria approved by the implementing entity and the Project Manager at the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS), and based on the volume of survey work executed at each site.
•    Non-metallic minerals:
These are minerals that do not exhibit the typical properties of conventional metals, such as good electrical and thermal conductivity, and are characterized by being non-malleable and non-ductile.
•    Metallic Minerals:
These are minerals characterized by their hardness, high melting points, malleability, and ductility, and they are considered good conductors of heat and electricity.

Data sources 

Mineral Resources Statistics data rely on two sources:
First source: Register-based data from the following government entities:
•    Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources:
They provide data on issued mining licenses by type of license, and these data are numerical in nature (counts).
•    Saudi Geological Survey (SGS):
The data are obtained through the National Geological Database (NGD), which provides detailed information on the discovered mineralization sites in the Kingdom and their geological characteristics.
Second source: Data from the General Authority for Statistics
•    International Trade Statistics:
They provide data on mineral exports and imports, and these data are quantitative in nature, measured by the total weight of the commodity.

Designing the data collection tool

The administrative data were collected using standardized data request tables sent to the data-owning entities. The aim is to obtain periodic, coordinated, and verified data derived from administrative records related to Mineral Resources Statistics indicators, ensuring data quality and achieving integration across the various data sources.

Questionnaire test (cognitive test)

Not applicable, as the product is registry-based and relies on registry data available from the relevant authorities.

Statistical population

The statistical population for Mineral Resources Statistics consists of all mining licenses issued by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, which represent the regulatory framework for mining activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It also includes the statistical population of international trade data for minerals (exports and imports) as reported under the Harmonized System (HS Codes), in addition to the number of discovered mineralization sites documented by the Saudi Geological Survey.
This population is based on a registry- and administrative-based framework that relies on data from the government entities responsible for regulating and managing mining activities, documenting mineralization sites, and monitoring the international trade flow of minerals within the Kingdom.

Sample Design

Not applicable, as the product is registry-based and relies on administrative data available from the relevant entities, in addition to statistical data from the General Authority for Statistics.

Statistical unit (sampling unit)

It is the entity responsible for producing or recording data related to mining activities and the exploitation of mineral resources, such as the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the Saudi Geological Survey.

Data collection

Data collection from administrative records:
The data for the Mineral Resources Statistics publication are obtained from the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the Saudi Geological Survey through the National Geological Database (NGD), in addition to statistical data from the General Authority for Statistics. These data are then stored within the databases of the General Authority for Statistics. 

Data collection frequency 

The process of collecting Mineral Resources Statistics data is carried out on an annual basis. 

Reference area

The Mineral Resources Statistics publication covers data at three geographical levels: 
•    Administrative regions:
It includes data on the number of discovered mineralization sites, based on the administrative division of the Kingdom into 13 administrative regions.
•    Kingdom level:
This includes data related to the number of issued mining licenses, as well as exports, imports, and aggregated indicators at the level of the Kingdom as a whole.
•    International level:
This includes data related to mineral exports and imports by partner countries in international trade.

Reference period (time reference)

Mineral Resources Statistics data are referenced to the last day of the Gregorian year, in accordance with the reference period adopted for the registry data received from the relevant entities.

Base period

Not applicable.

Measurement unit

•    Kilogram:
A fundamental unit of measurement in the International System of Units, used to measure weight or mass. In this publication, it is used to measure the quantities of mineral exports and imports.
•    Number:
A unit of measurement used to express data that are counted as whole numbers, such as the number of issued mining licenses or the number of discovered mineralization sites.

Time coverage

The data of the Mineral Resources Statistics publication are made available in accordance with the registry data approved by the relevant entities, in addition to the statistical data from the General Authority for Statistics. The publication includes indicators covering the period from 2021 to 2024.

Publication frequency

The results of the Mineral Resources Statistics are published annually in accordance with the approved statistical plan.

Statistical processing

Error detection

Careful procedures are implemented to detect errors in the administrative record data obtained from the relevant government entities, with supportive methods applied to measure quality indicators, following systematic processes that ensure data accuracy and consistency. These included the following:
•    Identifying illogical or out-of-range values, such as numbers of issued mining licenses that are inconsistent with the reference period, or unrealistic export and import quantities compared with previous years.
•    Classifying the data and verifying its accuracy, with reference to the primary data source, whenever any errors or data quality issues are detected.
•    Reviewing internal consistency between variables, such as matching Harmonized System (HS) codes with the type of mineral and comparing them with official customs data.
•    Comparing the current data with previous data to ensure the soundness of the time series before beginning data processing and producing the final results.
•     Reviewing data published by other official sources as supporting data, for comparison and verification of the accuracy of values and statistical trends.

Data integration and matching from multiple sources 

In the Mineral Resources Statistics, spatial data provided by the Saudi Geological Survey through the Web Feature Service (WFS)—which includes the locations of discovered mineralization sites—are integrated with the administrative boundary layer approved by the General Authority for Statistics. This integration aims to accurately determine the number of mineralization sites within each administrative region, ensuring alignment of the geographic results with the Kingdom’s official administrative divisions. It also enhances the accuracy and reliability of the spatial indicators presented in the publication.

Imputation and calibration

Handling missing values (Imputation):
Statistical imputation or calibration methods are not used in the Mineral Resources Statistics, as they rely on complete registry and administrative data. If any gaps or issues are identified in the data, the data-providing entity is contacted directly to complete the missing information and ensure consistency before the data are approved for inclusion in the publication.
Procedures for calculating variables and aggregates:
•    Number of issued mining licenses:
To calculate the total number of mining licenses issued during a given year, the numbers of licenses issued by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources are summed by type (Building Materials Quarry, Exploration, Exploitation, Reconnaissance, Surplus Mineral Ores License) to obtain the total number of licenses granted during the reference period.
   Calculation method:

    Explanation of Symbols:
    i = Represents the type of mining license.
    n = Total number of license types included.
    License(i) = Number of issued mining licenses of type i. 
•    Total mineral exports or imports:
To calculate the total mineral exports or imports during a given year, the quantities of minerals (in kilograms) are summed according to the Harmonized System (HS) codes to obtain the total volume of exports or imports for the reference period.
    Calculation method:

-    Explanation of Symbols:
    i = Represents the Harmonized System (HS) code for each mineral.
    n = Total number of license types included.
    HS(i) = Quantity of the mineral associated with code i (in kilograms).

Seasonal adjustments

Not applicable, as the final results for each year are published based on the registry data from the official sources, in addition to the statistical data from the General Authority for Statistics.

Adjustment of preliminary results 

Not applicable. The results are published in their final form and are not released as preliminary results.

Qualitydimensions

Suitability

A standard that measures the extent to which the product meets the needs of users.

User needs 

The Mineral Resources Statistics product aims to provide fundamental and structural data on mining sector activities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and to build a reliable information base that supports decision-makers and researchers. It also contributes to preparing studies and conducting local, regional, and international comparisons to develop this vital sector.
Key variables that users benefit from include:
•    Number of issued mining licenses by type of license.
•    Data on mineral exports and imports and their manufactured products according to the Harmonized System (HS). 
•    Data on mineral exports and imports and their manufactured products by country.
•    Data on mineral exports and imports, and their manufactured products, by mode of transport.
•    Data on mineral exports and imports by economic activity.
•    Number of discovered mineralization sites by mineral classification (metallic, non-metallic, and metallic & non-metallic), distributed by administrative region and type of mineral.  
•    Number of discovered mineralization sites by level of significance (very high, high, medium, low, very low), distributed by administrative region.
Mineral Resources Statistics data are also used by: 
Internal users in the General Authority for Statistics for Mineral Resources Statistics data:
•    International Indicators Department.
•    National accounts and price statistics.
External users and major beneficiaries of Mineral Resources Statistics data include:
•    Government entities.

Saudi Geological Survey (SGS)    Data on mineral exports and imports 
Ministry of Economy and Planning (MEP)    All data
•    Regional and international organizations.
•    Research institutions.
•    Media.
•    Individuals.

Completeness 

A comprehensive review of the submitted data was conducted to ensure its completeness and alignment with national requirements and international standards, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicators and other relevant indicators. The review aimed to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the data and its alignment with international standards.
 Mineral Resources Statistics data are based on the registry data received from the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the Saudi Geological Survey, as well as the statistical data from the General Authority for Statistics:
Key elements required to be included in the publication:
•    Number of issued mining licenses by type of license.
•    Data on mineral exports and imports and their manufactured products by Harmonized System (HS) codes 
•    Data on exports and imports distributed by country, economic activity, and mode of transport.
•    Number of discovered mineralization sites classified as metallic, non-metallic, and metallic & non-metallic, distributed by administrative region and type of mineral.  
Methodological Note:
During the processing of export and import data according to the Harmonized System (HS) codes, a number of detailed 4-digit and 6-digit codes from certain chapters were excluded, as they represent finished manufactured products or non-mineral derivatives that fall outside the scope of the primary mineral commodities covered in the publication.
This procedure was carried out systematically to ensure that the published indicators are limited to minerals and mineral products only, in line with the objectives of the publication and its conceptual definitions, without affecting the integrity of the aggregates or the accuracy of the final results.
These codes have been documented in an approved reference file that can be used to verify coverage completeness or for future statistical comparison purposes.

Accuracy and reliability 

A standard that measures how close the calculations or estimates are to the exact or true values that reflect reality.

Overall accuracy 

Errors that may be detected and affect data accuracy:
•    Updating administrative records:
Minor differences may exist between the data received from the providing entities (the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and the Saudi Geological Survey) and what is published in annual reports or open data platforms, due to differences in update timing or reference periods.
•    Data aggregation errors:
Totals may not match the details by administrative regions or by Harmonized System (HS) classifications due to differences in aggregation methods or reclassification at the source.
•    Spatial Data:
Differences may appear when spatially linking the discovered mineralization sites with the administrative boundaries due to variations in geographic layers across different sources.
Accuracy and reliability of the data are also ensured through the following procedures:
•    Periodic review and verification of the administrative data received from the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources.
•    Verifying the relationships between variables, such as matching the Harmonized System (HS) codes with the type of mineral, to ensure logical consistency between them.
•    Comparing data over time with previous years to identify any significant changes in values or patterns.
•    Ensuring internal consistency by verifying that national aggregates match the details at the administrative region level, as well as by country and mode of transport.
•    Cross-checking the data with information published by other official sources as supporting data, to compare and verify the accuracy of the data.
•    Applying multi-stage review procedures before approving the final results to ensure the stability and accuracy of statistical outputs.

Timeliness and punctuality 

A standard that measures the time gap between the availability of information and the occurrence of the event.
However, timeliness reflects the time difference between the date of data publication and the target date when it is actually published.

Timeliness 

The General Authority for Statistics is committed to applying internationally recognized standards regarding the announcement and clarification of the time of publishing statistics on its official website, as outlined in the statistical calendar, as well as adhering to the announced time of publication. In the event of any delay, updates will be provided accordingly.

Punctuality 

Mineral Resources Statistics are published according to the approved release dates in the statistical calendar available on the General Authority for Statistics’ website, in accordance with the timeline specified in the statistical calendar.

Coherence and comparability

Statistics should be consistent internally and over time, and logically interconnected across scope and statistical domains, meaning that data should be comparable across regions and countries as well as across different time periods for the same region, and data from diverse sources can be combined and used interchangeably.

Comparability - geographical

Statistical data related to mineral resources are fully comparable geographically across the administrative regions within the Kingdom, as well as at the regional and international levels. This is based on the standards adopted in compiling international trade datasets (Harmonized System – HS) and economic classifications (ISIC4), in addition to the international standards applied to spatial data.
In addition, the geographical distribution of the administrative regions has not undergone any changes during the reference period, ensuring the stability of spatial comparisons and preventing any impact on key indicators or their related variables.

Comparability - over time 

Mineral Resources Statistics are being published for the first time in 2025, making them the starting point for building a time series. The data cover the period from 2021 to 2024, using the same sources and classifications, which enhances the consistency of the series and its comparability over this period.

Coherence- Cross domain

Mineral Resources Statistics data undergo standardized verification and processing procedures. Data consistency is ensured by comparing them with data published in other statistical releases, such as International Trade Statistics, to ensure alignment of indicators and avoid any discrepancies across statistical publications.

Coherence- Sub-annual and annual statistics 

Not applicable, as the Mineral Resources Statistics are annually only.

Coherence- National Accounts 

Mineral Resources Statistics data are integrated with the requirements of the national accounts by adopting approved economic classifications (such as the National Classification of Economic Activities — ISIC4). The results of the publication, particularly the quantities of exports and imports, are used as key inputs for estimating the mining sector’s contribution to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) within the national accounts framework. Continuous coordination with national accounts statistics ensures consistency between the publication's results and macroeconomic indicators.

Coherence- Internal 

The Mineral Resources Statistics publication is internally consistent, as the statistics within a single dataset align in terms of the logical sequencing of values and the consistency of various measures, such as aggregates.
Internal consistency is verified through:
•    Ensuring that data logically align with one another within the overall context of the publication.
•    Matching aggregates with details by administrative regions, stations, and consumption categories.
•    Reviewing the relationships between variables, such as the alignment of Harmonized System (HS) codes with the type of mineral and the consistency of overall aggregates with their sub-details.
•    Verifying the soundness of national aggregates and comparing them with the results derived from administrative sources to ensure the stability and accuracy of the outputs.

Accessibility and clarity

The ability for users to access data, the availability of accurate or complete data, and the availability of a methodology and quality report.

Press releases

The announcements for each publication are available on the statistical calendar as mentioned in 9.1. The press releases can be viewed on the website of GASTAT at the link: 
Press release

Publications

GASTAT is keen to publish Mineral Resources Statistics publications and reports in a manner that serves all types of users. This includes releases in various formats containing data tables, charts of data and indicators, and the methodology and quality report in both Arabic and English.
The results of Mineral Resources Statistics are available at the link:
Mineral Resources Statistics Publication 

Online database

The data is published on the statistical database on the link:
Data confidentiality at the General Authority for Statistics

Microdata accessibility

Not available.

References and standards

Mineral Resources Statistics Framework:
GASTAT carries out all its statistical work according to a unified methodology that aligns with the nature of each statistical product. This methodology is based on the Statistical Business Process Model (SBPM), which is consistent with the operational procedures adopted by international organizations and harmonized with the practices of the relevant national entities.
For more details, you can refer to the attachment. 
Generic Statistical Business Process Model (GSBPM)

United Nations Framework Classification for Natural Resources (UNFC): 
It is a global classification system developed by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE). It is used to describe all types of natural resources, including minerals, energy, and other resources. Its objective is to standardize the language of resource classification among governments, companies, and investors, ensuring that data are comparable across countries.
For more details, you can refer to the attachment.
United Nations Framework Classification for Natural Resources (UNFC)
Mining Investment Law (issued by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources):
It represents the primary national reference for the concepts and definitions used in Mineral Resources Statistics. It has been relied upon to ensure consistency between statistical concepts and terminology and the relevant national legislative and regulatory frameworks.
For more details, you can refer to the attachment.
Mining Investment Law

Quality assurance

GASTAT declares that it considers the following principles: Impartiality, ensuring that the statistical product is user-orientated, maintaining the quality of processes and outputs, enhancing the effectiveness of statistical operations, and reducing the burden on respondents.
Data is validated through procedures and quality controls that are applied during the process at various stages, such as data entry, data collection, and other final controls.

Quality assessment

GASTAT performs all statistical activities according to a national model (Generic Statistical Business Process Model – GSBPM). According to the GSBPM, the final phase of statistical activities is overall evaluation using information gathered in each phase or sub-process. This information is used to prepare the evaluation report, which outlines all the quality issues related to the specific statistical activity and serves as input for improvement actions.

Confidentiality

Confidentiality – Policy

According to Royal Decree No. 23 dated 07/12/1379, data must always be kept confidential and must be used by GASTAT for statistical purposes only.
Therefore, the data is protected in the data servers of GASTAT.

Confidentiality - Data Treatment

Data were displayed in appropriate tables to facilitate their summarization, comprehension, and results extraction. Also, to compare data with other data and extract statistical meanings for the study community. It is also easier to check tables without the need to see any sensitive or confidential data, which violates the confidentiality of statistical data.

Publishing policy

Statistical calendar

Mineral Resources Statistics have been included in the statistical calendar. 
Statistical Calendar

User access

One of the objectives of the General Authority for Statistics is to better meet the needs of its users; therefore, the results of the Mineral Resources Statistics publication are made available to all users immediately upon release.
It also receives questions and inquiries from clients about the publication and its results through various communication channels, such as:
•    GASTAT official website:  www.stats.gov.sa
•    GASTAT official email address:  info@stats.gov.sa
•    Official visits to GASTAT’s official head office in Riyadh or one of its branches in Saudi Arabia.
•    Official letters.
•    Statistical telephone: (199009).