The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM), in collaboration with the Ministry of Investment, has launched Wave 3 of the Exploration Enablement Program (EEP) application submission stage, a targeted initiative designed to accelerate mineral exploration.
The EEP application initiative will also reduce early-stage investment risk and attract high-quality local and international investors to the Kingdom’s rapidly expanding mining and mineral sector.
The EEP Wave 3 provides a comprehensive enablement package to support exploration companies and license holders, strengthening project economics and improving progression from exploration to development.
Up to 25 percent cash incentives on eligible exploration expenditures, including drilling, laboratory testing, and geoscientific studies;
Up to 15 percent salary cost support for employees residing in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; coverage of up to 70 percent of total local salary costs during the first two years;
Coverage of up to 100 percent of total local salary costs after the first two years, subject to program requirements.
Applications for EEP Wave 3 opened on January 14, 2026. The initiative leverages Saudi Arabia’s investment-attractive environment, political stability, streamlined licensing framework, and integrated mine-to-market infrastructure.
The Ministries of #Industry_and_Mineral_Resources and Investment have launched the third wave of the Exploration Enablement Program (EEP), accelerating mineral exploration and boosting the Kingdom’s mining sector competitiveness. pic.twitter.com/mkfayo57OS
The ministry has announced the EEP Wave 3 timeline: January 14 – March 31, 2026: Proposal submission; April 1 – May 31, 2026: Proposal evaluation, approval, and signing of funding agreements; June 1 – July 31, 2026: Awarding and announcement of successful applicants; September 1 – November 30, 2026: EEP data submission; January 2027: Technical and financial verification of work programs and approval for enablement disbursement; and April 2027: Publication of exploration data on the National Geological Database.
Eligible companies are encouraged to apply ahead of the Future Minerals Forum, where Saudi Arabia’s mining momentum and investor enablement initiatives will be showcased to a global audience.
