Saudi Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources Bandar Alkhorayef, on an official visit to Canada, has toured the University of Toronto to review academic programs supporting the industrial and mining sectors. Meeting with the university's Lassonde Institute of Mining director, accompanied by leaders from the industrial and mining sectors, the minister discussed opportunities for developing human capabilities in mining and equipping people with high-level skills to handle the latest technologies and smart solutions in mining operations. Alkhorayef emphasized the Kingdom's commitment to enhancing the competitiveness of the human resources working in the mining field and discussed the national strategy for developing human capabilities in the industrial and mining sectors, aimed at empowering talents and leaders, enhancing the capabilities of national competencies, and improving productivity and innovation levels in both sectors. The minister noted that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is taking serious steps to qualify human capabilities to deal with applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced technological solutions in mining, thereby adding value to the workforce and reducing reliance on unskilled labor. Established in 1996, the Lassonde Institute of Mining is a global leader in mining innovation and includes researchers in several important mining-related disciplines, such as mining exploration, mining engineering, robotics, machine learning, big data, energy, economics, and water. Alkhorayef's tour of the University of Toronto and his meeting with the Lassonde Institute of Mining director came as part of his official visit to Canada, accompanied by leaders from the industrial and mining sectors, which aims to enhance industrial and mining cooperation between the two countries and explore joint investment opportunities in promising industrial sectors. Source: Saudi Press Agency