Natural Resources of Yemen

Yemen possesses a diverse range of natural resources, including oil, natural gas, fish, minerals, and fertile soil. These resources contribute significantly to the country’s economy and play a vital role in the livelihoods of its population.

Oil

Yemen has substantial reserves of crude oil, estimated at over 4 billion barrels. However, due to declining production from older fields, these reserves are expected to be depleted within the next nine years. Oil is a significant source of revenue for the Yemeni government, accounting for approximately 70-75% of total revenues and 90% of export earnings.

Natural Gas

Yemen also has significant reserves of natural gas, estimated at approximately 490 billion cubic meters. In 2010, the country exported around 6.9 billion cubic meters of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The abundance of natural gas in the Balhaf region led to the construction of the country’s first liquefaction plant in 2009. The government expects to generate substantial revenue from the LNG project and establish a functional petrochemical industry.

Fish

Despite having extensive access to water and marine resources, Yemen’s fishing industry remains largely underdeveloped, primarily dominated by small-scale fishermen using small boats. The country has the potential to produce over 800 tons of fish annually, but current production is only a quarter of this capacity. Low production is partly attributed to previous government restrictions on fish exports, which have since been lifted. However, the fishing industry continues to yield low revenues. Fish and fish products account for only 1.7% of Yemen’s GDP but are the second largest export after oil and oil products. In 2005, the World Bank provided a credit of US$25 million to the Yemeni government for the Fisheries Management and Conservation Project, which aims to enhance fish landing and processing facilities and strengthen the capacity of the Yemeni fisheries department.

Minerals

Yemen is endowed with a variety of mineral resources, including gold, copper, lead, zinc, cobalt, nickel, limestone, magnesite, scoria, sandstone, gypsum, marble, perlite, dolomite, feldspar, and Celestine. Several companies have been granted licenses to explore and extract these mineral deposits. Cantex Mine Development Corporation of Canada has been exploring the Al Hariqah gold deposit since 2010, while Thani Daubi Mining of the UAE discovered gold deposits in Wadi Sharis, estimated to yield 7 grams of gold per ton. It is estimated that Yemen has approximately 40 gold and silver deposits, with the Medden area hosting the largest deposit, containing an estimated 670,000 tons of ore with a potential yield of 15 grams of gold and 11 grams of silver per ton. The Jabali silver and zinc mines, owned and operated by the Jabal Salab Company, are estimated to contain 12 million metric tons of oxide ores with a grade of 68 g/Mt of silver, 18.9% of zinc, and 1.2% of lead.

Fertile Soil

Yemen possesses the most fertile land in the Arabian Peninsula, with approximately 1.2 million hectares of arable land, representing 2.4% of the total land area. Agriculture is a significant economic activity, contributing 20% of the GDP and employing nearly half of the working population. Agricultural activities are primarily concentrated in coastal plains, highlands, wadis, and eastern plateaus, which offer fertile soil and favorable climates. Due to limited rainfall, agriculture heavily relies on groundwater irrigation, enabling the cultivation of vegetables and fruits as Yemen’s primary cash crops. Other major agricultural commodities include cereals and industrial crops. However, increasing population pressure has led to increased demand for agricultural land, particularly in coastal areas.

References

1. LandLinks. (2023). Yemen. [online] Available at: https://www.land-links.org/country-profile/yemen/.
2. WorldAtlas. (2023). What Are The Major Natural Resources Of Yemen? [online] Available at: https://www.worldatlas.com/articles/what-are-the-major-natural-resources-of-yemen.html.
3. Library of Congress. (2023). Yemen – Places in the News | Library of Congress. [online] Available at: https://www.loc.gov/today/placesinthenews/archive/2010arch/20100104_yemen.html.

FAQs

What is the most significant natural resource in Yemen?

Oil is the most significant natural resource in Yemen, accounting for approximately 70-75% of total government revenues and 90% of export earnings.

Does Yemen have natural gas reserves?

Yes, Yemen has substantial natural gas reserves, estimated at approximately 490 billion cubic meters.

What is the potential of Yemen’s fishing industry?

Yemen has the potential to produce over 800 tons of fish annually, but current production is only a quarter of this capacity due to various factors, including underdeveloped infrastructure and previous government restrictions.

What are some of the key mineral resources found in Yemen?

Yemen possesses a variety of mineral resources, including gold, copper, lead, zinc, cobalt, nickel, limestone, magnesite, scoria, sandstone, gypsum, marble, perlite, dolomite, feldspar, and Celestine.

Is agriculture a significant economic activity in Yemen?

Yes, agriculture is a significant economic activity in Yemen, contributing approximately 20% of the GDP and employing nearly half of the working population.

What are the primary agricultural products of Yemen?

Yemen’s primary agricultural products include vegetables, fruits (as cash crops), cereals, and industrial crops.

Why does Yemen rely on groundwater irrigation for agriculture?

Yemen relies on groundwater irrigation for agriculture due to limited rainfall, particularly in certain regions of the country.

What is the main challenge facing Yemen’s agricultural sector?

Increasing population pressure has led to increased demand for agricultural land, particularly in coastal areas, posing a challenge to the sustainability of the sector.