Saudi Mining Sector's 38.7 Percent Jump Drives May Operating Revenue Index Higher

According to a report published by Ecoiran on Thursday, August 20, 2026 (29 Mordad 1405), Saudi Arabia's Operating Revenue Index (ORI) rose 11.4 percent year on year in May 2026 and 2.9 percent from April. Among economic sectors, mining and quarrying posted the largest contribution, jumping 38.7 percent year on year and 10.2 percent month on month.

Mining was followed by finance and insurance, up 12.9 percent year on year, manufacturing, up 9.6 percent, and transport and storage, up 9.5 percent. Riyadh views the figures as evidence of progress on its national mining strategy, which aims to grow mining's share of the non oil economy by 2030. Saudi Arabia holds substantial gold, phosphate, copper and zinc reserves within the Arabian Shield geological region.