Egypt had introduced practical measures over less than two years to prepare the mining sector for increased investment and turn the country’s geological potential into clearer and more investment-ready opportunities, said Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, at the Africa Down Under mining and energy conference in Perth, Australia.
The reforms were introduced in response to demands raised by investors during an ongoing dialogue with the mining community since the fourth quarter of 2024, Badawi noted.
He explained that reforms included implementing a one-stop-shop mechanism under the Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority (MRMIA), following its transformation into an economic body. It aims to facilitate investors’ access to approvals and complete procedures, while improving the efficiency of addressing challenges related to exploration and mining activities.
The development of the legislative framework and MRMIA’s role have enabled government entities responsible for approvals and licenses to participate in the authority, supporting faster coordination and decision-making, Badawi said.
Egypt has approved a package of incentives to attract gold exploration companies, particularly startups and medium-sized firms, which play a key role in discovering gold and other minerals.
The incentives include allowing companies to explore more than one mineral within the same area, reducing exploration area rental fees, and granting larger contiguous areas when geological conditions support such expansion. Egypt is also strengthening mechanisms to secure licensed exploration areas.
Egypt has also introduced an open blocks system, allowing mining opportunities to be offered for investment throughout the year rather than waiting for bidding rounds, Badawi said.
Egypt has around 100,000 square kilometers (km2) of exposed basement rocks in the Eastern Desert and South Sinai, within the Arabian-Nubian Shield. The area offers opportunities for discovering gold, copper, base metals, nickel, cobalt, platinum-group elements, rare metals, and rare earth elements.
Badawi highlighted the Sukari gold mine’s production of around 500,000 ounces (oz) of gold in 2025 as practical evidence of Egypt’s mining potential. He also praised AngloGold Ashanti’s efforts to develop the mine and highlighted the key role of Egyptian personnel, who represent the vast majority of the mine’s workforce and leadership positions.
In the end, Badawi reflected on mining cooperation with Australia in areas of technology, mining services, capital as well as to benefit from Australia’s experience in exploration, mine development, and training.
He invited mining companies, financial institutions, and technology providers to explore opportunities in Egypt and participate in the Egypt Mining Forum on September 28 in the New Administrative Capital.
