AS HEAD OF the region’s largest mining firm, Mudaifer is an important figure in efforts to diversify Saudi Arabia’s industrial base beyond oil refining and export. Last year, Ma’aden’s investments exceeded $22.6 billion, making the kingdom a major player in the phosphate and aluminium industry. At Al Jalamid in the northern province the company produces 11.6 tonnes of phosphate a year, while work continues on a fully integrated facility at Wa’ad Al Shamal minerals industrial city, where Ma’aden has invested $7.19 billion. A joint bauxite mine project with Alcoa worth $10.6 billion continues to bear fruit.