Manager, External Affairs & Mining Rights

Midana Exploration Company; Ar Rass, Jeddah; On-site; SAR 350,000 - 550,000; Full time

Job summary

Midana Exploration Company (MEC) seeks a senior leader to oversee mining rights, tenement management, and regulatory compliance in Saudi Arabia. You will lead the defence and expansion of exploration rights, coordinate permitting, and align governance with local regulations.

The role requires strong Arabic and English communication, strategic stakeholder engagement, and a track record of advising senior leadership on regulatory risk and ESG initiatives. Based in Jeddah with travel across KSA.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in mining rights, tenement management, external affairs or related functions.
• Experience engaging with Saudi government ministries, regulators and stakeholders.
• Knowledge of permitting, land access, regulatory processes and ESG/CSR requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead acquisition, maintenance and protection of exploration and mining rights; ensure license obligations and secure tenure.
• Oversee tenement portfolio, renewals, reporting and government submissions.
• Build strategic relationships with Saudi government ministries, regulators and regional authorities.

Skills

Mining rights

Tenement management

External affairs

Government relations

Permitting

ESG/CSR

Stakeholder management

Arabic & English

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Mining, Environmental Science, Business, Public Administration or related discipline

Job description

Company Description:

Midana Exploration Company (MEC) is a resource exploration and development company and a subsidiary of Australia’s leading private mining enterprise, Hancock Prospecting. Operating at the forefront of the Middle East’s rapidly expanding mining sector, MEC is dedicated to unlocking the vast mineral potential of the highly prospective Arabian-Nubian Shield.

Our core focus is to rapidly and safely transition high-potential exploration targets into world-class operational mining assets. We achieve this by combining Hancock Prospecting’s demonstrated track record in exploration,mega-project delivery, technology, and operational excellence with deep local partnerships. Through our landmark joint ventures with highly regarded Saudi resource companies, and our own targeted exploration prospects, we are developing a new benchmark for resource development while also actively contributing to the development of the resource sector in Saudi.

Responsibilities:

Mining Rights & Tenement Management

• Lead the acquisition, maintenance and protection of exploration and mining rights, ensuring compliance with licence obligations and secure tenure.


• Maintain oversight of the Company’s tenement portfolio, statutory obligations, renewals, reporting requirements and related government submissions.


• Partner with Exploration and Business Development to identify, evaluate and secure new mineral rights and growth opportunities.

External Affairs, Government & Stakeholder Relations

• Establish and manage strategic relationships with Saudi government ministries, regulators, regional authorities and other key stakeholders.


• Represent the Company in relevant government, industry and stakeholder engagements and support effective communication of the Company’s priorities.


• Build and protect the Company’s reputation and social licence to operate through effective stakeholder engagement aligned with Saudi localisation and development priorities.

Permitting, Land Access & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead land access, permitting, approvals and stakeholder agreements required to enable exploration and future project development.


• Coordinate regulatory submissions and approvals across relevant authorities and maintain visibility of approval status, obligations and dependencies.

Environment, ESG & CSR

• Oversee and coordinate environmental permitting, compliance and stakeholder interfaces relevant to the Company’s KSA activities.


• Lead and coordinate the Company’s ESG and CSR activities in KSA, including community engagement and social performance initiatives.


• Work with internal and external stakeholders to align environmental, social and governance activities with Company requirements and applicable Saudi regulations and expectations.

Risk Management & Strategic Advice

• Identify and manage regulatory, tenure, stakeholder, environmental and reputational risks, providing strategic advice to the CEO and leadership team.


• Escalate material risks, emerging issues and opportunities and coordinate appropriate responses across the business.


• Undertake other additional tasks and responsibilities as required from time to time.

Experience:

• Significant experience in mining rights, tenement management, external affairs, government relations, permitting, ESG/CSR or related functions, preferably within the mining or resources sector.


• Demonstrated experience engaging with Saudi government ministries, regulators, regional authorities and key stakeholders.


• Experience managing exploration/mining licences, statutory obligations, permitting and land access processes.


• Experience providing strategic advice to senior leadership and managing regulatory, stakeholder and reputational risks.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Geology, Mining, Environmental Science, Business, Public Administration or a related discipline.


• Strong command of Arabic and English.


• Relevant professional memberships or additional qualifications are advantageous.

Functional & Technical Skills:

• Strong knowledge of Saudi mining rights, tenement management and regulatory processes.


• Strong government, stakeholder and community relationship management skills.


• Sound understanding of permitting, environmental compliance, ESG and CSR requirements.


• Strong written and verbal communication, negotiation and influencing skills in Arabic and English.


• Ability to manage multiple regulatory and stakeholder workstreams, priorities and deadlines.


• Strong judgement, discretion and ability to provide practical strategic advice to senior leadership.


• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and effective document and records management.

Work Location:

• The role is based at the Company’s office in Jeddah.


• Regular travel within KSA may be required to support government engagement, licence and project activities, site visits and stakeholder meetings.


• Flexibility may be required as Midana’s KSA operations develop and expand.