Saudi Arabia has extended the timeline for application submission for the "Wave 3 of the Exploration Enablement Program (EEP)" of its mining exploration programme.
The targeted initiative is designed to accelerate mineral exploration, reduce early-stage investment risk, and attract high-quality local and international investors to the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding mining sector, said a Saudi Press Agency report.
The programme is being implemented by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources with the collaboration of Ministry of Investment.
The program is part of Saudi Arabia’s ongoing transformation of the mining sector under Vision 2030, aimed at unlocking the Kingdom’s vast mineral potential and building resilient, end-to-end mineral value chains.
EEP Wave 3 provides a comprehensive enablement package to support exploration companies in strengthening project economics and improving progression from exploration to development.
Key enablement under EEP Wave 3 includes: Up to 25% cash incentives on eligible exploration expenditures, including drilling, laboratory testing, and geoscientific studies; Up to 15% salary cost support for employees residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and coverage of up to 70% of total talent local salary costs during the first two years. Coverage of up to 100% of total talent local salary costs after the first two years, subject to program requirements.
The application submission stage for EEP Wave 3 opened on January 14 and runs until May 3, 2026. The initiative leverages Saudi Arabia’s investment-attractive environment, political stability, streamlined licensing framework, and integrated mine-to-market infrastructure.
EEP Wave 3 Timeline is as follows:
- January 14 – May 3, 2026: Proposal submission.
- May 3 – June 30, 2026: Proposal evaluation, approval, and signing of funding agreements.
- July 1 – July 31, 2026: Awarding and announcement of successful applicants.
- September 1 – September 30, 2027. EEP data submission.
- January 2028: Technical and financial verification of work programs and approval for enablement disbursement.
- April 2028: Publication of exploration data on the National Geological Database.
More information on EEP Wave 3 is available at: https://taadeen.sa/en/exploration-enablement-program
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