The Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources highlighted the kingdom's mineral wealth pointing out that the preliminary estimates indicate that the total value of mineral resources in the kingdom exceeds $ 1.3 trillion. The minister detailed efforts to increase mineral production. The Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources said that Saudi Aramco has launched operations to explore and develop new gas fields and complexes. The minister highlighted Saudi efforts in the field of renewable energy. Following the event, the Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources announced the signing of the first renewable energy project, a 300 megawatt solar project. --SPA 02:08 LOCAL TIME 23:08 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w603253