Ma’aden has awarded a US$104 million Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management (EPCM) contract to Bechtel for the development of its Ar Rjum gold mine in Saudi Arabia.
The contract follows Ma’aden’s Final Investment Decision (FID) in August 2025 and forms part of the company’s strategy to double its gold production by 2030. Under the multi-year agreement, Bechtel will oversee the design and construction of the mine and its processing facilities.
Located in the Makkah Region, about 200 km northeast of Ta’if, the Ar Rjum mine is expected to produce 3.6 million ounces of gold over a 12-year life-of-mine. The project will include an open-pit operation and a processing plant designed to handle eight million tonnes of ore per year.
Ma’aden CEO Bob Wilt described the project as a major milestone in the company’s growth strategy, stating: “The Ar Rjum Project is a key component in our plan to double gold production by 2030. It strengthens our portfolio, supports rapid expansion, and helps build the next generation of mining talent to deliver our long-term vision.”
Ailie MacAdam, President of Bechtel Mining & Metals, said: “We are proud to partner with Ma’aden on this landmark project. By leveraging Bechtel’s global supply chain of over 7,000 suppliers and our strong local partnerships, we aim to help advance regional economic growth and sustainable development.”
