Gold discovered in Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday the discovery of large potential gold resources along a 100km stretch south of its existing Mansourah Massarah gold mine in Al Khurmah governorate in the Makkah region, reports Saudi Gazette.

Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden) said that it had discovered multiple gold deposits, indicating the potential to expand gold mining in the area. The mining giant said in a statement that this is the first discovery under the company’s extensive exploration program launched in 2022 and it aims to build a metal production line.

Encouraging drill results from multiple sites on Uruq South, along a 100km stretch south of Mansourah Massarah, have uncovered similar geological characteristics and chemistry to the Mansourah Massarah deposit.

Samples taken indicated the presence of high grade gold deposits of 10.4 grams per ton (g/t) gold and 20.6 g/t gold in two random drilling sites 400 meters from and under Mansourah Massarah, meaning a high density of gold was found in the ore tested from those locations. In light of these results, Maaden planned an aggressive escalation of planned drilling activities in 2024 around Mansourah Massarah.

Maaden has continued to expand its exploration footprint in the Jabal al-Ghadara and Bir al-Tawila prospects, 25 km north of Mansourah Massarah, where the company is transferring inferred resources amounting to 1.5 million ounces for measurement.

In combination, these positive drilling results have identified a potential 125 km strike with significant potential to become a major world-class gold belt in Saudi Arabia.

The near-mine drilling results around Mansourah Massarah indicate that the resource is open both at depth and along the strike, offering significant potential to expand resources at the mine and, potentially, extend the mine life with underground development. Mansourah Massarah had stated gold resources of almost seven million ounces at year-end 2023 and a nameplate production capacity of 250,000 ounces a year.

Robert Wilt, CEO of Maaden, said that these discoveries have the potential to be the center of the world’s next gold rush and are a strong part of our growth strategy.

“These discoveries are a significant demonstration of the untapped potential of mineral resources in Saudi Arabia, supporting the diversification of the country in line with Vision 2030 and establishing mining as the third pillar of the Saudi economy,” he pointed out.

Maaden is 67 percent owned by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the Kingdom’s sovereign wealth fund, and the largest miner in the Gulf. In January 2023, it announced Manara Minerals, a joint venture with PIF, to invest in mining assets abroad.

It is noteworthy that Mansourah Massarah is the newest, the largest, and the most technologically advanced gold mine in Saudi Arabia. It produced 11,982.84 ounce of gold in 2022.

The mine consists of the Mansourah Massarah resources, which are being developed as conventional open-pit mines. The plant employs Carbon-In-Leach and Pressure Oxidation Processes and autoclave technologies for ore gold production. This mine is equipped with cutting-edge mining, processing, and environmental sustainability technologies.

Saudi Crown Prince announces economic corridor linking India, Middle East and Europe

According to Saudi Gazette, Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed Bin Salman announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for an economic corridor project connecting India with the Middle East and Europe.

The project aims to enhance economic connectivity, develop and upgrade infrastructure, and boost trade between the involved parties.

Speaking at the occasion of the launch of the corridor on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Delhi on Saturday, the Crown Prince said, “I am pleased today that we are gathered in this friendly country to sign an MoU for an economic corridor project connecting India with the Middle East and Europe.”

“This project is the culmination of our joint efforts over the past few months.

“It is built on principles that serve the common interests of our countries by enhancing economic connectivity and positively impacting our partners in other countries and the global economy as a whole.”

He added, “This project will contribute to the development and upgrading of infrastructure, including railways, port connections, and increased flow of goods and services, thus enhancing trade between the parties involved.

“It will also extend pipelines for the export and import of electricity and hydrogen to enhance global energy supply security, in addition to high-efficiency, reliable cross-border data transmission cables.”

The Crown Prince highlighted that the MoU also supports clean energy development efforts and will create new, high-quality employment opportunities along the corridors for all parties.

"To achieve what we have agreed upon in this memorandum, it requires the continuation of our collective efforts and the immediate commencement of developing the necessary mechanisms for its implementation within the agreed-upon timeframe," he said.

He also expressed profound gratitude to all those who worked together to take these foundational steps towards establishing this significant economic corridor.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the launch of the India-Middle East-Europe connectivity corridor, which is the first of its kind initiative on cooperation on connectivity and infrastructure involving India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, EU, France, Italy, Germany, and the United States.

The governments of Saudi Arabia and United States announced that they had signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries. The bilateral MoU provides a framework for developing a protocol for establishing intercontinental green transit corridors through the Kingdom to connect the continent of Asia with the continent of Europe.

This project aims to facilitate the transit of renewable electricity and clean hydrogen via transmission cables and pipelines as well as constructing rail linkages.

It is also intended to enhance energy security, support efforts for the development of clean energy, promote digital economy through digital connectivity and transmission of data via fiber cables, and promote trade and transport of goods by rail and through ports.

Saudi Arabia welcomed the role of the United States to facilitate and support the negotiation, establishment, and implementation of the green corridors transit protocol with the relevant countries.

Pakistan polls likely to be delayed

According to Saudi Gazette, Pakistan's parliament has been formally dissolved, but polls to be held within 90 days may be delayed. The electoral commission says electoral boundaries must be redrawn to reflect fresh census data, a months-long process.

Last week, former Prime Minister Imran Khan was arrested and sent to jail, and then barred from politics for five years. He had openly challenged the powerful military establishment and claimed it was petrified of elections.

With President Arif Alvi's order on Wednesday to dissolve the National Assembly, a caretaker government will take charge. Outgoing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his government have been given three days to name an interim leader.

According to an Election Commission of Pakistan official, "The elections will be held once the census is done, which will take about four months' time. As a result, the elections may be delayed till next year."

Sharif, who warned that the country cannot progress without national unity, also told reporters recently that polls may not be held this year.

Some feel the election is being delayed as the ruling Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) coalition isn't confident about winning at the polls, due to Khan's enduring popularity, as well as the effects of runaway inflation despite a bailout from the International Monetary Fund.

Despite their once close relationship, Khan has rattled the military like no other politician before him. Senior analyst Rasool Bakhsh Raees even reckons that the former cricket star's detention will increase his popularity.

In May, Khan's arrest on corruption charges sparked nationwide protests that saw at least eight deaths and some 1,400 arrests, amid unprecedented attacks on military property and buildings.

The 70-year old, who is appealing his conviction on graft charges, has claimed that the military's goal was to "eventually put me into prison and to crush my party."

But the rule remains the same: anyone who challenges Pakistan's military, even someone with the charisma and international stature of Khan, must go. The former cricket star is simply the latest politician since the 1970s to find this out the hard way.

Former senator Afrasiab Khattak said, “There are two systems of government operating in parallel. Now, the unsanctioned, de facto force wants to take over the parliamentary process.”

"Pakistan's military has always been powerful, but they want more powers so that their unsanctioned rule is not challenged either by politicians, activists, or journalists."

Two draconian laws were tabled in the National Assembly last week, in a bid to further enhance the powers of the military and intelligence agencies.

Proposed amendments to the century-old Official Secrets Act will broadly empower the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and Intelligence Bureau (IB) to arrest citizens over "suspected breach of official secrets". In addition, a new bill recommends a three-year jail term for anyone who discloses the identity of an intelligence official.

The amendments provoked a ruckus in parliament, with both the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and PML-N's coalition partners calling the government out for passing draconian laws in haste and without discussion.

Senator Mushtaq Ahmed of Jamaat-e-Islami also warned that the Official Secrets Act amendment will grant intelligence agencies extraordinary powers of arrest and search without warrant. This will have an impact on the human rights, individual rights and press freedom across the country.

The Pakistani intelligence services are regularly accused of illegally detaining opposition members, politicians, activists and journalists, with human rights organizations noting the increasing number of enforced disappearances every month.

In the month of July alone, 157 more cases of enforced disappearances were reported, according to the government-led Commission of Inquiry on Enforced Disappearances.

The bills have been sent to President Alvi, a co-founder of the PTI, and must be signed by him before they can be legislated into law. 

Muslim leaders acknowledge Saudi role in Hajj

According to Saudi Gazette, leaders of the Muslim Ummah and heads of Islamic organizations have praised Saudi Arabia and its leadership on the successful completion of Hajj this year (2023).

The Muslim World League (MWL) congratulated the Kingdom, under the leadership of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on the successful completion of Hajj.

In a statement issued by the league’s General Secretariat, MWL Secretary-General and Chairman of the Organization of Muslim Scholars Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulkarim Al-Issa said the great success of the Hajj is one more accomplishment in the long list of Kingdom’s achievements in serving the Two Holy Mosques and the pilgrims, as well as the entire Muslim world.

He added that this success is the result of great efforts and coordination of operations based on a system that operated in accordance with the highest standards of efficiency, responsibility and professionalism, under the care and direct follow-up of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and of the Crown Prince.

The secretary-general praised the care and services provided by Saudi Arabia to the pilgrims, underlining the relentless endeavors to raise the level of services and harness all capabilities to facilitate the Hajj journey.

In Cairo, the Grand Imam of Al Azhar Sheikh Ahmed Al Tayeb congratulated the Kingdom's leadership and the Saudi people on the success of the Hajj 1444 Hijri.

Sheikh Al Tayeb commended the great role played by Saudi Arabia, under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince, to provide all services for the pilgrims who come from all over the world to perform this pillar of Islam.

The Grand Imam of Al Azhar prayed to Allah Almighty to protect the Kingdom and all other Muslim countries, and to bless them with security, safety, safety, prosperity and stability.

Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Crown Prince Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmed Nawaf Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah have congratulated King Salman on the success of the Hajj season.

In cables sent to the King, the Kuwaiti leadership expressed its sincere congratulations on the outstanding success that was achieved thanks to the care given by the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and his government, represented by all ministries and sectors, which mobilized and devoted all its capabilities and efforts around the clock with all sincerity and dedication to achieve a successful Hajj.

The Kuwaiti Leadership praised the ongoing expansion works at the Grand Mosque throughout the year and the application of modern smart services and technologies across all ports and sites, which are consistent with the Kingdom's vision of developing services during the Hajj to meet the needs of the pilgrims and facilitate the performance of the Hajj. These efforts will always be admired and appreciated by everyone, they said.

President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) sent a cable of congratulations to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques on the occasion of the success of the Hajj.

Sheikh Mohammed expressed his sincere congratulations on the success of the Hajj this year, which was achieved by the grace of Allah Almighty, and thanks to the generous care of King Salman and his wise government and its institutions to ensure that pilgrims can perform the rituals in tranquility and safety.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, UAE Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Presidential Court, also sent two similar cables to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques on the occasion of the success of the Hajj season of 1444 Hijri.

Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Ruler of Sharjah, sent a cable of congratulations to King Salman on the occasion.

Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, as well as Deputy Rulers Sheikh Abdullah bin Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi and Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed bin Sultan Al Qasimi sent similar cables to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

Sheikh Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Supreme Council Member of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Umm Al Qaiwain, sent a cable of congratulations to King Salman on the occasion of the successful completion of the Hajj 1444 Hijri.

Sheikh Rashid bin Saud bin Rashid Al Mu'alla, Crown Prince of Umm Al Qaiwain, sent a similar cable to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.

Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and Sheikh Mohammed bin Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Ras Al Khaimah, sent similar cables of congratulations to King Salman on the occasion.

In Jeddah, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) expressed its congratulations on the success of Hajj 1444 Hijri, praising the services provided by the government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to visitors to the Grand Mosque from the OIC member states and countries with Muslim minorities.

OIC Secretary General Hussein Ibrahim Taha appreciated the generous care of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to serve the holiest places in the hearts of Muslims, the Two Holy Mosques.

In addition, Taha commended the good hospitality given to the pilgrims and visitors of the Prophet’s Mosque and the great efforts the Kingdom exerted every year to organize a successful Hajj.

He stressed that these great services for the Holy Sites are a great honor as well as a responsibility that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia initiates with dedication, sincerity, generosity, and giving.

Arab Parliament Speaker Adel Al-Asoomi expressed his appreciation for the intensive efforts the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has exerted -- under the leadership of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman -- in serving pilgrims and ensuring success of the Hajj.

In a statement issued in Cairo, Al-Asoomi said the high-quality Hajj services and all forms of facilitation reflect the Saudi leadership’s keenness on providing pilgrims the highest levels of safety.

He also commended the Kingdom’s constant endeavor to upgrade the services provided to pilgrims, while congratulating Saudi Arabia and the entire Islamic world on the success of this year’s Hajj.

In Riyadh, Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi, praised the great efforts of the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman toward serving the pilgrims of the Holy Kaaba, adding that such efforts contributed to creating an atmosphere full of tranquility, faith, safety, and ease.

The GCC Secretary General pointed out that Saudi Arabia's tireless endeavors fulfilled the pilgrims' needs and provided maximum care to them in accordance with the purposes of Islamic law and the great attention given by the government of the Kingdom to the guests of Allah.

The GCC Secretary-General extended his congratulations to King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman the success of this year's Hajj. He underlined the high level of services extended to the pilgrims that embodied the smooth partnership and coordination between state agencies involved in the organization process under the direct supervision of the wise Saudi leadership.

He underscored the significance of the new and modern projects introduced by the government of the Kingdom during the Hajj, highlighting their important role in paving the way for the full integration of the management of this year's Hajj, which was admired by the pilgrims and their missions.

Albudaiwi confirmed that serving the Two Holy Mosques is a great honor and a great responsibility that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been shouldering since the era of its founder King Abdulaziz through the era of his sons including King Salman. He prayed to the Almighty to reward them for their good deeds toward Islam and Muslims.

He lauded the great efforts produced by all workers in the various sectors linked to supervising the organization of Hajj this year, so that this blessed season becomes a great example for national values such as humanitarian initiatives, volunteering and others.

Saudi Arabia and China to enhance cooperation in peaceful use of atomic energy

According to Saudi Gazette report, Saudi and Chinese officials discussed ways to enhance bilateral cooperation in the areas of peaceful use of atomic energy and nuclear technology.

The talks were held between Eng. Abdullah Al-Shamrani, CEO of the Saudi Geological Survey (SGS), and Liu Jing, vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the China Atomic Energy Authority (CAEA) at the headquarters of SGS in Jeddah on Monday.

During their talks, the SGS and CAEA officials examined aspects of partnership and mutual cooperation in the fields of geosciences and alternative geo energy. The meeting reviewed a number of projects related to geological sciences and the national geological database, and the capabilities and experiences possessed by the two parties, which ensure the improvement of the outputs of joint work.

The Chinese delegation also paid a field visit to the drilling library to view the mechanism and digitization of core drilling samples, as well as colored spectral images of mineral components. They also reviewed the basic drilling database management system, which is compatible with the National Geological Database (NGD), in addition to the technical procedures for drilling samples.

It is noteworthy that the four-day visit of the Chinese delegation comes as part of the meetings with officials of the Saudi Nuclear and Radiological Regulatory Commission and the Saudi Geological Survey to discuss ways to enhance cooperation in the areas of peaceful use of atomic energy and nuclear technology. The SGS is also working within its ongoing alternative renewable geothermal energy exploration initiative projects.

FBI makes arrests over alleged secret Chinese police stations in New York

According to Saudi Gazette, US prosecutors have arrested two men in New York for allegedly operating a Chinese secret police station in Manhattan’s Chinatown neighborhood.

Liu Jianwang, 61, and Chen Jinping, 59, both New York City residents, face charges of conspiring to act as agents for China and obstruction of justice.

China has previously denied operating the stations, calling them “service centers” for nationals overseas.

Jianwang and Jinping worked together to establish the first overseas police station in the United States on behalf of China’s Ministry of Public Security, the US Department of Justice alleged on Monday.

The outpost was closed in the fall of 2022, the department said, after those involved became aware of an FBI investigation into the station.

“This prosecution reveals the Chinese government’s flagrant violation of our nation’s sovereignty by establishing a secret police station in the middle of New York City,” said Breon Pearce, the top prosecutor in Brooklyn.

The stations are believed to be among at least 100 operating across the globe in 53 countries, including the UK and the Netherlands. And last month, Canada’s federal government announced an investigation into two Montreal-area sites thought to be police outposts.

“The PRC’s actions go far beyond the bounds of acceptable nation-state conduct. We will resolutely defend the freedoms of all those living in our country from the threat of authoritarian repression,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen, from the Justice Department’s National Security Division.

According to prosecutors, Jianwang was closely connected to Chinese law enforcement, and was enlisted to help China with repressive activities in the US beginning in 2015, including harassing Chinese dissidents.

In 2018, he allegedly participated in efforts to push a purported PRC fugitive to return to China, including repeated harassment and threats to the individual and his family, living in China and the US.

And prosecutors said he was also enlisted to locate a pro-democracy activist in China. Jiangwang denied these actions when confronted by US authorities.

If convicted, both Jianwang and Jinping face up to 25 years in prison.

Chinese embassies in the US and Canada have said the locations are overseas service stations’ opened during the pandemic to assist nationals abroad with driver’s licensee renewal and similar matters.

But human rights groups have accused China of using the outposts to threaten and monitor Chinese nationals abroad.

FBI director Christopher Wray said last November that his agency was monitoring reports of such stations, calling them a real problem.

“To me, it is outrageous to think that the Chinese police would attempt to set up shop, you know, in New York, let’s say, without proper coordination,” Wray said.

“It violates sovereignty and circumvents standard judicial and law enforcement cooperation processes.”

Uzbekistan links child deaths to Indian syrup

According to Saudi Gazette, Uzbekistan's health ministry has said that 18 children have died after drinking a cough syrup manufactured by Indian drug maker Marion Biotech.

The ministry said that preliminary tests showed a batch of the medicine contained ethylene glycol, a toxic substance.

The children were given the Dok-1 Max syrup without a doctor's prescription, it said. The amount they consumed also exceeded the standard dose for children.

The allegation from Uzbekistan comes weeks after The Gambia also linked child deaths to cough syrups made by another Indian firm.

India's health ministry said in a statement that its officials have been in regular contact with the national drug regulator of Uzbekistan regarding the matter since December 27, 2022.

It added that health officials have conducted an inspection of Marion Biotech's facility in Noida in Uttar Pradesh state.

"The samples of the cough syrup have been taken from the manufacturing premises and sent to Regional Drugs Testing Laboratory, Chandigarh for testing," the statement added.

News agency ANI has quoted a Marion Biotech executive as saying that the company has halted production of the syrup temporarily. He added that the government was conducting an enquiry and that the firm would take action accordingly.

Marion Biotech is based in Noida, near India's national capital Delhi. Its website is currently down, but the company's LinkedIn page says it was founded in 1999 and that its products are household names in Central Asian countries, Central and Latin America, South East Asia and Africa".

India produces a third of the world's medicines, mostly in the form of generic drugs.

The country, home to some of the fastest-growing pharmaceutical companies, is known as the world's pharmacy and meets much of the medical needs of developing countries.

The Uzbek ministry statement, dated December 27, says that Dok-1 Max tablets and syrup have been sold in the country since 2012.

"It was found that the deceased children, before admission to hospital treatment, took this drug at home for 2-7 days, 3-4 times a day, 2.5-5ml, which exceeds the standard dose of the drug for children," the ministry said.

The statement did not specify over what time period the deaths occurred. BBC Monitoring had reported on December 23, citing news website Gazeta.uz, that Uzbek authorities were investigating claims that 15 children died in central Samarkand region over the past two months after taking a cough syrup made in India".

On December 26, Podrobno.uz news website reported that 21 children - 15 of them under the age of three - were treated for acute kidney failure allegedly caused by the India-made cough syrup Dok-1 Max between September and December". Three of the patients recovered.

The ministry also said that preliminary laboratory studies have shown that this series of Dok-1 Max syrup contains ethylene glycol.

In October 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) had sounded a global alert and linked four India-made cough syrups to the deaths of 66 children from kidney injuries in The Gambia. It said tests on samples of the syrup showed that they contained unacceptable amounts of toxic substances diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol.

Both the Indian government and the company, Maiden Pharmaceuticals, have denied the allegations.

India said earlier in December that tests on the four syrups showed that they complied with specifications, and a government official told the BBC that the WHO had been presumptuous in blaming the syrups. But the WHO said it stood by the action taken.

Last week, a parliamentary committee in The Gambia recommended the prosecution of Maiden Pharmaceuticals after weeks of investigation. The committee also recommended banning all products by the firm in the country.