Egypt targets 6% mining contribution to GDP as 119 business send 403 deals

Egypt is targeting a boost in the mining sector’s contribution to gdp (GDP) to around 6% in the coming duration as the federal government looks for to draw in more financial investment, broaden expedition and production, and increase the regional worth included of mineral resources.

The target was revealed by Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi throughout the opening of the 5th edition of the Egypt Mining Forum (EMF), hung on September 28-29 in the New Capital under the style “Unlocking Egypt and the Arabian-Nubian Shield’s Exploration Potential.”

The online forum combined regional and worldwide mining financiers, along with ministers and federal government authorities from a number of mining nations.

Badawi stated Egypt has the essential resources required to establish an incorporated mining sector efficient in making a bigger contribution to the nationwide economy, with the federal government looking for to increase financial investment, draw in more business, broaden mineral processing, and increase worth included.

He kept in mind that the federal government’s method is moving from drawing out minerals and exporting them in their main kind towards processing resources in your area and establishing markets based upon Egypt’s mineral wealth.

The minister stated 119 business sent applications throughout the very first 3 months following the launch of Egypt’s open-block mining tender system on June 10, 2026, consisting of more than 14 foreign business from Australia, the UK, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Türkiye, South Africa, India, and China.

The business sent 403 deals covering 118 shuts out of 335 blocks provided under the system. The locations extend throughout almost 45,000 square kilometres and consist of appealing deposits of gold, phosphate, talc, kaolin, and other minerals.

Badawi stated the brand-new system supplies higher versatility and faster allotment of mining locations in line with global practices, showing the federal government’s relocation towards a more open financial investment design that is more responsive to market requirements.

He explained the preliminary financier action as a crucial action towards broadening expedition and establishing mineral resources within the Arabian-Nubian Shield.

The minister pointed out the Sukari cash cow as an example of Egypt’s mining capacity. The mine has actually produced 6.8 million ounces of gold considering that production started in June 2009, showing the capacity for additional advancement of the nation’s mineral resources.

Egypt’s mining capacity is supported by its varied geological resources throughout big locations of the Eastern Desert and South Sinai, along with its place within the Arabian-Nubian Shield, which provides chances for expedition for gold, copper, base metals, nickel, cobalt, unusual earth components, and other minerals.

Badawi stated these resources are supported by energy schedule, a broadening roadway and port network, and Egypt’s tactical area linking 3 continents and ignoring the Mediterranean and Red seas. The Suez Canal likewise supplies access to among the world’s significant trade paths, supporting the advancement of an incorporated mining market and bring in long-lasting financial investment.

He stated the authority’s brand-new board consists of agents from numerous federal government ministries, consisting of the Ministries of Environment, Industry, and Finance, with the objective of collaborating licensing treatments, ecological requirements, commercial advancement, and monetary policies.

The brand-new structure is likewise meant to offer financiers with a one-stop-shop method to mining-related treatments.

Egypt is likewise preparing a brand-new design arrangement for gold exploitation created to supply higher clearness and versatility and enhance the competitiveness of the nation’s mining financial investment structure.

Badawi stated the ministry has actually looked for direct feedback from financiers in significant mining markets, consisting of Australia and Canada, to determine difficulties dealing with business and take a look at worldwide practices that might be used in Egypt.

The ministry has actually started presenting rewards and treatments intended at producing a more versatile and competitive financial investment environment and enabling financiers to focus resources and proficiency on expedition, mineral advancement, and worth production.

The ministry has actually likewise presented modifications to the executive guidelines to increase versatility in expedition activities, improve financier rewards, and lower the expense threats related to the early phases of mining tasks.

Phosphate processing and worth addition

Badawi stated Egypt ranks 3rd worldwide in phosphate rock reserves and seventh in phosphate production in 2025, with the federal government working to broaden the commercial usage of these resources.

8 brand-new commercial tasks are being established to increase the worth of phosphate resources. These consist of the very first stage of the phosphoric acid complex in Abu Tartour, which will have a production capability of 250,000 tonnes each year and financial investments of $650m. Production is arranged to start in 2028.

Other tasks are being established to produce phosphate fertilisers in cooperation with Egyptian and worldwide financiers, along with efforts to broaden making use of minerals needed for energy-related markets and other future markets.

Badawi stated the goal is not restricted to increasing mineral production, however likewise consists of broadening value-added markets, developing tasks, increasing exports, and drawing in financial investment based upon innovation, know-how, and understanding.

He stated accomplishing these goals needs more powerful collaborations in between the federal government and financiers, a steady financial investment environment, much faster treatments, much better access to info, and the conversion of geological chances into commercially feasible tasks.

He stressed that Egypt is looking for major, long-lasting mining financial investment based upon understanding and innovation transfer and higher regional worth production, while continuing to deal with regulative and functional difficulties dealing with expedition and production.

The minister concluded that the 5th Egypt Mining Forum marks the start of a brand-new stage for the sector, with the federal government looking for to equate Egypt’s geological resources into financial worth and draw in brand-new collaborations and financial investments in Egypt and the larger area.