Chairman of MRMIA Outlines Developments in the Mining Investment Climate
Eng. Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, affirmed that Egypt is steadily moving toward maximizing the economic value of its mineral resources, transitioning from exporting ores to establishing integrated, value-added industries capable of competing and reaching global markets. He pointed out that the strategy for developing the mining sector aims at building a comprehensive system that begins with exploration and extraction, extends through processing and manufacturing, and culminates in establishing related industries and exportin, in line with the goal of increasing the mining sector's contribution to the GDP.
This came during the Minister's participation in the "Invest in Egypt" event, held on the sidelines of the Africa Down Under conference in Perth, Australia, in the presence of representatives of Australian and international mining and technology companies, as well as financing and investment institutions.
The Minister asserted that Egypt possesses a diverse and promising base of minerals, estimated at approximately 3 billion tons of phosphate geological resources, and over 600 million tons of iron oxide resources, alongside large quantities of kaolin sand, bentonite, quartz, silica sand, and industrial minerals, in addition to gold, copper, and basic, critical, and strategic minerals across the Arabian-Nubian Shield.
He emphasized that the true value of mineral resources is not realized merely through extracting ore, but through transforming it into value-added products and industries. He stressed that the success of the mining sector should be measured by its contribution to the economy through the creation of new industries, technology transfer and localization, investments, job creation, and increased exports.
The Minister highlighted various projects that reflect Egypt's direction toward maximizing the added value of mineral wealth, including the Phosphoric Acid Complex in the New Valley, with investments of $658 million, the new Phosphate Fertilizer Complex in Suez Canal Economic Zone, in cooperation with Indorama Corporation, with investments of $525 million, and an integrated phosphate chemical industries project with investments estimated at approximately $1 billion, being implemented in phases.
He emphasized that Egypt does not seek to be merely a supplier of ores to value chains that are completed abroad. Instead, Egypt is working to localize processing, manufacturing and technology, and attract the investments needed to establish integrated mining industries within Egypt.
The Minister called on global mining and exploration companies, technology providers, and financing institutions to partner with Egypt in transforming its mineral resources into productive projects and new industries, and to benefit from the investment opportunities offered by the sector amid the continuous development of the investment climate.
For his part, Geo. Yasser Ramadan, Chairman of MRMIA, reviewed the developments in Egypt's mining investment climate following direct dialogue with investors and the international mining community. He pointed out that engagement with the investment community, including meetings held in Perth in September 2025, helped identify investors' needs and develop more competitive incentives for exploration and mining companies.
He noted the adoption of more competitive models for the exploitation of gold and minerals, alongside efforts to streamline procedures and licensing and create an investment environment conducive to expanding exploration and mineral resource development activities.
The Chairman also outlined Egypt's geological and investment advantages, as well as its strategic location connecting the markets of Africa, Europe and Asia, in addition to its infrastructure, transportation networks, ports and energy resources, which enhance opportunities for establishing mining industries serving local, regional and global markets.
Ramadan highlighted the institutional transformation of the Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority into an economic entity, enhancing its ability to develop mining activities, maximize the utilization of mineral resources, support the establishment of value-added industries, and attract further domestic and foreign investments.
He emphasized that the Authority continues to develop its operating framework by streamlining licensing procedures, providing the necessary investment incentives to support the growth of mining activities, and optimizing the utilization of mineral resources.
Chairman of MRMIA During a Session on Investing in Egypt
