Saudi King to visit and launch projects in northern regions, mining city next week

High Royal Highness Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud will visit the northern regions of the kingdom following his recent domestic tour across the country, the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) announced on Tuesday.

During his visit, the king will “inspect the conditions of citizens” and launch “a number of development projects in those areas”, SPA quoted a Royal Court statement as saying.

He will also visit the Waad Al-Shamal Mining City in the northern border area to inaugurate and open a number of mining and industrial projects in the city, the report said, without specifying further details.

Last year, Reuters reported that Saudi Arabia’s national mining company Ma’aden aims to start operations at a third phosphate facility at Waad al-Shamal in 2018.

The company said in 2016 it was developing its third project to manufacture phosphate fertilisers at its Waad al-Shamal facilityat an estimated cost of around SAR24bn ($6.4bn).

King Salman embarked on a week-long domestic tour last Tuesday, his first such trip since the 82-year-old acceded to the throne of the kingdom in 2015.

He visited the provinces of Qassim and Hail, both northwest of Riyadh, where he announced several initiatives.

He inaugurated more than 600 projects worth over SAR16bn ($4.26bn) during the visit to Qassim, covering education, housing, roads, environment, water, electricity, public services and other areas, SPA reported.

The king also laid the foundation stone for a “number of development projects” in Hail.

He also pardoned prisoners in both the regions who were jailed over debts that do not exceed SAR1m and who were not involved in criminal cases.The king also announced that the government will pay off the debts of those who are unable to repay the amount.