The African-Australian mining and energy conference, Africa Down Under (ADU), the largest African mining event held outside the continent, concluded in the Australian city of Perth on September 5. This year’s edition saw the first official Egyptian participation by a delegation headed by Karim Badawi, the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.Also present at the conference was Chairman Yasser Ramadan, who highlighted the mining sector’s potential, backed by strong infrastructure.
The Egyptian participation aimed to present the high potential of the Egyptian mining sector for Australian companies in light of the more favorable investment environment, simplified licensing procedures, and enhanced role of the Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority.
Before the closing of the conference, Badawi held a series of meetings and discussions with investors. He also participated in two key sessions on mining investment in Egypt, where he presented the latest developments in the country and showcased promising opportunities for exploring and utilizing its mineral resources.
The minister inaugurated the ‘Invest in Egypt’ roundtable meeting, which was organized in collaboration with AngloGold Ashanti and Capital Drilling. The meeting was attended by a wide range of international industry leaders and representatives from various mining companies. During the event, the minister emphasized the Egyptian government’s commitment to creating an attractive investment climate in the mining sector through legislative and regulatory reforms.
Moreover, Badawi held a meeting with Sherine Helmy, CEO of Wealth and Resources Mining, the contractor operating the Eqat gold mine in Egypt’s Eastern Desert, depending on Australian technologies, along with several senior company officials. The meeting addressed the company’s plans for business development and future expansions in the exploration area of the Eqat concession. Company officials and their technical team gave an update on several projects aimed at bringing the mine up to international standards and placing it on the map of global gold production. Among these are ongoing studies to build a carbon extraction plant to process gold-bearing rocks, as well as plans to establish power and water generation plants, utilising advanced Australian expertise. The minister praised the company’s role as an Egyptian investor since 2016, stressing his full support in helping it overcome challenges, in cooperation with the Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority.
Badawi also met with Jeff Quartermaine, the Managing Director and CEO of Perseus Mining Limited, an Australian gold company with a primary focus on Africa. They discussed how to transfer expertise in modern mining practices, including advanced drilling technologies, enhanced processing methods, and data-driven mine planning. Badawi also invited the company to visit Egypt to explore the investment opportunities available in the Egyptian mining industry.
Furthermore, Badawi met with Sherif Andrawes, Global Natural Resources and Energy Leader at BDO, one of the largest accounting and advisory firms in Australia, to discuss opportunities for junior companies to engage in Egypt’s mining sector. The two sides tackled ways to attract investors, especially startups, to work in Egypt’s mining sector, particularly in unexplored areas. Both sides agreed that Andrawes would pay a visit to Egypt soon with a number of senior officials from Australian startups and medium-sized mining companies to learn about the investment opportunities available and the sector’s potential.
Additionally, Badawi met with Greg Rouse, the Managing Director of Geodrill, a West African-based drilling company. During the meeting, the company’s executives said that Egypt’s strong mining sector fundamentals and advanced infrastructure make the country one of the most attractive investment destinations in Africa for leading international mining investors.
