Global mining technology company Hexagon (STO:HEXA-B) is flagging Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and the government’s push to become a ‘minerals superpower’ as a game-changing opportunity.
Speaking to this news service on the sidelines of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, President of the Mining Division for Hexagon Dave Goddard describes the current competitive landscape as one full of promise, particularly as regions the Kingdom seeks to diversify away from oil.
Hexagon provides technology solutions for miners to optimise the NPV of their assets and operations, and provide safety for workers on a day-to-day basis.
The company is involved in autonomous solutions, operational efficiencies, and digital reality solutions. Digital reality is essentially a mine plan.
“It’s a model of what is believed the geology will be, and Hexagon provides a time sequence on that to deliver optimal sequencing and extraction activities in order to maximise the return on investment for mining companies,” the 30-year mining technology industry veteran tells Mining.com.au.
“We’re boots on the ground here in Saudi Arabia, so we believe in the region, we believe in the Kingdom and their ability to transform the region into a mineral superpower. And so that’s why we’re (at FMF) – we believe wholeheartedly in the Vision 2030.”
‘Landmark’ agreement
Goddard adds that Hexagon and Saudi state-owned Ma’aden are strengthening mining education and workforce development across the Middle East by deepening their strategic partnership at last week’s Future Minerals Forum (13-15 January).
Building on their ‘landmark’ agreement to create the region’s first digital mine at Mansourah-Massarah, the two companies signed a memorandum of understanding focused on shaping the next generation of mining professionals.
A cornerstone of this effort is a collaboration with King Abdulaziz University (KAU), developed with support from national leadership, to modernise mining curricula, integrate advanced digital technologies, and create meaningful pathways into modern mining careers.
The initiative will provide students with exposure to industry-leading tools, practical training, and new opportunities for professional development.
These efforts coincide with the first cohort of female mining students at KAU, a milestone for Saudi Arabia’s mining sector, and a reflection of the nation’s commitment to broadening participation and empowering the next generation of talent.
Across the Kingdom, Hexagon is now forging partnerships with King Saud University (KSU) and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM). These engagements include the provision of Hexagon software licences, faculty and student training programmes, and internship opportunities for top-performing students at Hexagon’s new Riyadh office.
Goddard says the agreement with KAU seeks to provide necessary tools to the university for students, such as laptops, and to provide internship opportunities in order to create the ecosystem necessary for Vision 2030.
“In order to have a future for mining, you need future miners. We’re willing to invest in the future miners in order to make sure that mining maintains a sustainable future,” he continues.
Hexagon is now in the process of finding office space and hiring people in Saudi Arabia.
Hexagon’s Autonomous Solutions division appointed Goddard as Executive Vice President, Mining in October 2024. Goddard served as Acting President, Mining, since early that year, identifying key opportunities for operational efficiency while advancing a data-first strategy to help mines unlock future value by unifying data across workflows.
His focus is on solving real-world challenges for mining customers, from first core to final ore, in a life-of-mine partnered approach.
Goddard was simultaneously serving as Chief Product Officer since early 2023, steering Hexagon through numerous key milestones, including implementation of the world’s first underground operator alertness system and initiation of a partnership to develop the first digital mine in the Middle East.
Hexagon is a global firm focused on digital reality solutions, combining sensor, software and autonomous technologies. It’s putting data to work to boost efficiency, productivity, quality, and safety across industrial, manufacturing, infrastructure, public sector, and mobility applications.
The firm’s technologies are shaping production and people related ecosystems to become increasingly connected and autonomous – ensuring a scalable, sustainable future. It has about 25,000 employees in 50 countries and net sales of €5.4 billion.
FMF is organised by Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources and took place from 13-15 January 2026. Mining.com.au had a team on the floor at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Centre and was also an official media partner.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: Hexagon & Mining.com.au
