Get ready for a metals adventure! Vedanta Ltd, the renowned Indian conglomerate, is charging full speed into Saudi Arabia’s mining scene. The company just got its official license to explore copper and gold in the western parts of Saudi Arabia and plans to start digging in six to eight months. This is Vedanta’s first official move into the desert kingdom’s minerals. Not just that, Vedanta’s head of copper and nickel for India and Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Puneet Khurana, said proudly, “We have created a metals value chain in India so we know what has to be done and how it has to be done. Now, we’re prepared to do it for the Saudis also.” Sounds like they’re ready to bring their magic touch from India to Saudi Arabia! The firm doesn’t plan to stop at one. Vedanta aims to grab more licenses to build a full Saudi supply chain, covering everything from mining to metals processing. This move is a big boost for Saudi Arabia, which is dreaming big with its Vision 2030 plan. They want to cut their dependence on oil and make mining their third big money-maker. The kingdom boasts about $2.5 trillion in untapped minerals like phosphate, copper, and bauxite, crucial for the world’s energy future. Anil Agarwal’s Vedanta has already promised a whopping $2 billion to build copper processing plants in Saudi. That’s the strongest thumbs-up from a global miner yet. By mid-January, Vedanta plans to pick a partner for exploring and developing its first mine in the Jabal Sayid belt. Other global giants are not far behind. Canada’s Barrick Gold runs a copper mine there, Australian mogul Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting just won mining rights, and China’s Zijin Mining Group aims to start producing copper and gold within five years. Vedanta is also working on a copper-rod facility, which started construction in September and should be up and running by 2026. The big copper smelter will follow in 2028. At first, Vedanta will import copper from countries like Chile and Peru until their Saudi mines start pumping out ore. Funding isn’t a worry yet, Khurana said. They’re discussing possible financing but nothing is final. Plus, collaborations with Saudi outfits like Maaden and Manara Minerals are on the table to grow the local mining industry. Despite plans to split its business, Vedanta’s investment push in Saudi remains strong. Khurana said, “Funding for these budgets is not going to be a big issue.” So, buckle up—Saudi Arabia’s metal dreams are shining brighter with Vedanta leading the charge!