Scale Your Mining Operations in Saudi Arabia with AstroLabs
AstroLabs supports international mining companies establishing a long-term market presence in Saudi Arabia, combining corporate-grade operations support with access to an on-the-ground network.
Why Mining Is Entering a New Era in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia presents exceptional opportunities for mining businesses as the Kingdom positions the sector as the 'third pillar' of its economy. Sitting on $2.5 trillion in untapped mineral wealth, it is actively welcoming international mining companies. AstroLabs provides the on-the-ground expertise to get you licensed, compliant, and fully operational in this rapidly growing sector.
Mining Sector Growth in Saudi Arabia
500%
The surge in mining exploration spending since 2020.
$2.5 trillion
The estimated value of Saudi Arabia's untapped mineral wealth.
32%
Annual increase in exploration spending, significantly outpacing the global average of 6-8%.
20%
The current mining tax rate, reduced from 45% under the New Mining Investment Law.
226
The number of active exploration companies in 2024, up from just 6 in 2020.
66%
Foreign investors' share of total mining investment and winning licenses issued in 2025.
Getting Market-Ready in Saudi Mining with AstroLabs
First Stage: Legal Entity Establishment (1 Month)
- Obtain a MISA Investor License (valid for one year)
- Reserve company name
- Draft & notarize Articles of Association (AoA)
- Secure Commercial Registration (CR) from the Ministry of Commerce
- Register with the Chamber of Commerce (CoC)
Second Stage: Authorization & Hiring (2–3 Months)
- Obtain the official company seal
- Register with the Ministry of Labor
- Enroll with GOSI for employee insurance
- Register the business National Address
- Issue a General Manager (GM) visa
- Register with ZATCA for VAT compliance
Compliance Checklist for Foreign Businesses
Tax Filing with ZATCA
All registered businesses must file annual tax documentation with the Zakat, Tax, and Customs Authority (ZATCA) with full accuracy and timeliness. Corporate tax stands at 20% of adjusted net income, withholding tax varies from 5% to 20%, and Zakat is assessed at 2.5% of the company's Zakat base.
Upating Business Licenses/Permits
International enterprises must update or renew critical permits and documents, including the General Manager's Iqama, Commercial Registration (CR), and MISA license. Several businesses engage regulatory compliance advisors in Saudi Arabia to address this key compliance matter and avoid business interruptions.
Government Platform Management
Organizations must keep precise, current information across vital government portals such as Muqeem, Qiwa, and Mudad. Given the integrated nature of these platforms, lapses in one system often trigger complications throughout other operational areas.
Payroll and HR Compliance
Businesses hiring Saudi employees must process compensation accurately and keep detailed payroll documentation aligned with labor legislation, which undergoes regular updates. Maintaining compliance presents difficulties for organizations new to Saudi HR frameworks.
Saudization (Nitaqat) Requirements
Saudi employment regulations require businesses to satisfy nationalization thresholds determined by company size and industry sector. Failure to meet these benchmarks can result in Red Zone status, triggering operational constraints and monetary sanctions.
Why Expand Your Mining Venture With AstroLabs
Setup Is the Starting Line, Not the Finish
Mining operations require more than a MISA license. National Address registration, GM Iqama, GOSI, ZATCA, Saudization, and corporate banking all need to be in place before you can move. Our 50+ in-country consultants manage the entire chain, so nothing is left outstanding.
Local Intelligence That Saves Time
In a sector where on-the-ground knowledge is everything, AstroLabs provides direct access to the government contacts, industry partners, and regulatory intelligence that reduce your time to operational readiness and inform your market entry strategy from day one.
Your Saudi network starts on day one
AstroLabs connects mining companies to a network of 20,000+ regional decision-makers and a community of 850+ businesses already active in the Kingdom — giving you immediate proximity to the government stakeholders, industrial partners, and sector specialists that matter most when you're establishing a foothold in an emerging market.
AstroLabs Advantage
| Offering | AstroLabs | Corporate Services Companies offering PRO & GRO | Law Firms | In-House |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50+ on-ground local team of experts |  |  | | |
| Government portal management and compliance support | | | | |
| Full management of your company licenses and certificates | | | | |
| Management of registered employees across the employee journey, from hiring to ongoing management | | | | |
| Full suite of support: PRO, GRO, HRs support and access to a pool of Saudi talent | | | | |
| National Address Registration with varied coworking and private office locations | | | | |
| Seamlessly manage GRO services online using a digital platform | | | | |
| Corporate bank account opening | | | | |
| Access to a community of 1000+ high-growth businesses in Saudi Arabia | | | | |
| Extended media and exposure support through press releases, social media coverage and articles | | | | |
| Opportunity-matchmaking with potential partners in governmental entities and corporates | | | | |
| Access to global and regional events such as BIBAN, LEAP, Seamless, etc | | | | |