Mukaab, 86% of excavations for the desert giant completed

New Murabba, a company of the Public Investment Fund (PIF), announced, in an official note, the achievement of significant progress in the works for the creation of the revolutionary urban destination of Riyadh. Excavations at the iconic Mukaab and surrounding areas have reached 86% completion, with more than 10 million cubic meters of earth removed. The Mukaab represents one of the most ambitious urban development projects in the world with the aim of creating a modern city center that integrates advanced technology, environmental sustainability and innovative design, while offering living, commercial and recreational spaces of the highest quality.

The Mukaab will be a true cultural hub including hotels, cultural venues, a university, an immersive theater and an iconic museum. The public spaces will be animated by projections of mountain landscapes, waterfalls and even drones and spaceships, making the environment a true augmented reality show.

The same note states that the monumental scope of this project is matched only by the unwavering dedication to worker safety. With over 3 million hours of accident-free work recorded to date, the development is testament to the priority given to the wellbeing of those who are contributing to the construction of Riyadh’s new centre. This achievement reflects a core value of New Murabba: progress and security go hand in hand.

“These milestones are a testament to the dedication and expertise of our team, as well as our ambition to build a world-class destination that prioritizes both innovation and the well-being of our workforce. We are proud of the progress New Murabba has made and excited to continue shaping Riyadh’s future“, said Michael Dyke, CEO of New Murabba.

Watch the incredible video presentation of the Mukaab project

The clarification contained in the note seems to be intended to respond to the shadows of the controversies regarding the treatment of migrant workers employed on the Mukaab. A recent investigation revealed that thousands of these workers die every year while helping to realize the kingdom’s ambitions under the leadership of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The construction of other megastructures, such as the car-free city The Line, has raised similar concerns about the human sustainability of such initiatives.

According to the international survey, many workers would instead find themselves facing extreme working conditions for minimum wages, with shifts regularly exceeding 16 hours a day with no days off, with reports of abuse and mistreatment, and reports of passport confiscation preventing workers from leaving the country. These practices are in stark contrast to Saudi laws which limit working hours and guarantee weekly rest periods.

The recent advances, the note continues, highlight the team’s commitment during the excavation process. A crucial element of the development is the focus on ecologically sustainable methods for managing extracted materials. The excavation process required the daily use of around 250 excavators and over 400 machines to effectively manage the extensive excavation work, highlighting the considerable scale of the operation.

New Murabba will also construct a temporary bridge that will serve as a key link, crossing King Khalid Road to join the construction site. This connection will facilitate the ongoing development and pave the way for the foundation laying of the Mukaab to begin in the coming months.

The bridge is expected to reduce truck movements on public roads for earthmoving work by around 800,000, showing a positive impact on the surrounding infrastructure. With around 900 workers on site every day, work is progressing rapidly, bringing the destination ever closer to completion. “We are committed to sustainability, efficient use of resources and generating a positive influence on local infrastructure. Furthermore, we are dedicated to being part of a new era for urban development in Riyadh, the Kingdom and beyond“, concluded Dyke.