Engineers Association: A Holistic Management Approach Is Needed to Maximize Local Value

August 4, 2025 – Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Dr. Saleh Al-Kharabsheh, affirmed the Ministry's readiness to receive any proposals or initiatives that support the mineral wealth sector and help enhance its databases. This, he said, would contribute to strengthening the national economy and achieving the goals of the Economic Modernization Vision.

His remarks came during a workshop titled “Investing in Copper and Rare Earth Elements in Jordan”, organized by the Mining, Geological, and Petroleum Engineering Division of the Jordan Engineers Association (JEA), in collaboration with the Chemical Engineering Division.

Al-Kharabsheh noted that the timing of the workshop coincides with Jordan’s review of achievements made under the Economic Modernization Vision over the past three years, in light of workshops organized by the Royal Court to reinforce the vision as a comprehensive national reference document. He emphasized that the mining sector is a key driver of economic growth, with a targeted growth rate of 10% under the vision—nearly double the national average of 5.6%.

He highlighted the importance of recent studies conducted by the Ministry to help investors identify promising opportunities in the mining sector, stating that mining can offer solutions to the economic challenges facing Jordan.

For his part, Eng. Abdullah Assem Ghosheh, President of the Jordan Engineers Association, stated that the management of the mineral wealth file—particularly copper and rare earth elements—should follow a comprehensive national methodology. He stressed that it is not merely an investment or technical file, but a sovereign, developmental, economic, and social issue. He added that these resources have long remained outside Jordan’s development equation, despite the country’s rich and promising geological reserves.

Ghosheh emphasized the need for good governance and sustainable exploitation of natural resources to maximize local value, avoid monopolies or rushed decisions, and protect the environment and local communities.

He also recommended the establishment of a comprehensive and continuously updated national mineral database for Jordan. This database should include geological data, estimated quantities, mineralization percentages, chemical compositions, processing options, and related economic and environmental studies. Such a database would be a cornerstone for policy-making, investment guidance, linking scientific research to actual sector needs, and enhancing transparency and trust in this vital field.

He affirmed the Engineers Association’s readiness to offer its expertise and specialized divisions to support the sector’s development through research, economic analysis, and improved monitoring and evaluation systems.

Eng. Saleh Al-Ghowairy, JEA Board Member and Head of the Mining and Petroleum Engineering Division, stated that the workshop aims to highlight investment opportunities in the mining sector, especially those related to strategically and economically valuable ores. This is especially important in light of the global shift toward the green economy and increased reliance on metals in modern technology.

He praised the Ministry of Energy’s efforts in updating mining policies and creating an attractive investment environment, in line with Royal directives and the goal of achieving significant growth and generating quality job opportunities for Jordanians.

He added that the workshop was held in cooperation with the Chemical Engineering Division as part of efforts to strengthen the mining sector in accordance with the Royal vision and the Economic Modernization Program, which aims to exploit natural resources in ways that lead to qualitative economic growth and new job creation.

Workshop Preparatory Committee Chair, Eng. Omar Al-Tahat, stated that the workshop seeks to bring together experts and researchers from various sectors to study investment in ores discovered since the 1950s. He noted that Jordan has a proven copper ore reserve valued at 8 billion Jordanian dinars, which should be utilized in a strategic and well-studied manner.

The workshop featured a number of scientific sessions and lectures covering various topics, including:

• Exploration and processing of monazite ore from the Dubeidib deposit
• Analysis of copper deposits in Faynan using high-resolution satellite imaging
• Study of copper and rare earth element mineralization and distribution in Wadi Araba and their economic impact
• Processing and concentration of Jordanian copper ores