By Neville Judd
Rana Abdullah Zamai is no stranger to hard work. Already editor in chief of the Saudi Geological Survey’s Ardhona publication, and Deputy chairwoman of the Kingdom’s Professional Fashion Association Board, Zamai spent most of her 2025 annual vacation forming Women in Mining’s Saudi Arabia chapter.
Less than a year on, WIM-Saudi Arabia is already broadening the country’s talent pool of future miners through strategic partnerships with Saudi mining companies. Broadening the country’s mining talent pool is central to the organisation’s mandate, said Zamai, now its chairwoman.
Chairwoman of Women in Mining-Saudi Arabia, Rana Abdullah Zamai.
“We want to empower and connect women across the mining value chain so they can contribute to Vision 2030,” she said of the country’s ambitious plan to transform the Kingdom’s economy, society, and culture.
“We encourage mining companies to show the value of diversity by signing partnerships to support training and to trust women with responsibility.”
Maaden is one of those companies supporting WIM’s goals as part of a wider effort to empower the next generation of mining leaders. That effort includes agreements with leading universities.
At January’s Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh, Maaden and Hexagon announced partnerships with Saudi universities as part of a landmark agreement to create the region’s first digital mine at Mansourah-Massarah.
The timing coincides with the first cohort of female mining students at King Abdulaziz University (KAU), where students will be exposed to industry-leading tools, practical training, and new opportunities for professional development.
Fielding questions at the Women in Mining booth at January’s Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh.
Partnerships have also been forged with King Saud University (KSU) and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) where Hexagon software licences, faculty and student training programmes, and internship opportunities will be made available for top-performing students at Hexagon’s new Riyadh office.
Under Zamai’s leadership, WIM-Saudi Arabia has also signed agreements with Saudi Gold Refinery and WIM-Central America.
“I’m very excited to partner with Ana Juarez of WIM-Central America to create an educational book for the next generation of women who want a career in mining,” said Zamai. Juarez has authored children’s books aimed at changing the way young people think about mining.
Such initiatives continue to be important in changing cultural perceptions about women’s roles, said Zamai. In some communities, she said, there’s resistance and misinformation, presenting a challenge to girls interested in mining.
Hexagon Principal Advisor, Elio Suazo, guides a forum attendee through a Hexagon TeleOp demo at FMF in Riyadh.
“As well as educational books we want to create exploration kids’ clubs that connect with children and create ambassadors who can show girls what’s possible. Experience in STEM [Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics] subjects now makes you very welcome to be part of this industry.”
A cornerstone of Hexagon’s partnership with Maaden 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.
Zamai’s own academic and professional experience is rich and varied. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Microbiology and a Master’s degree in Business/Corporate and Marketing Communications. Zamai spent almost three years as head of corporate communications at Nesma, where she had previously managed the company’s embroidery factories across the Kingdom, creating opportunities for women.
“When you see how you can change lives with training and opportunities, you feel that bliss come to your life. This comes from my heart,” said Zamai. “Today we have a vision, we don’t have to create factories to provide opportunities to women.
“There is a sustainable source of good opportunities for women in Saudi Arabia. A lot of hard work is still needed by government and leaders but there is a clear vision for the sector to succeed.”
For Zamai, the work is only just beginning.