The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MoPMR) is participating with a high-level delegation in the activities of Africa’s Mining Indaba 2026 conference, held in Cape Town, South Africa, from February 9th to 12th, where global and African mining leaders converge to shape the future of the sector.
Egypt’s participation in this year’s edition comes within the framework of promoting the new investment climate in the mining sector and showcasing the structural reforms and investment incentives recently implemented by the Ministry. It also aims to highlight legislative amendments designed to streamline procedures and attract major international corporations, as well as medium and small-sized companies, in the field of gold and mineral exploration and exploitation.
Furthermore, the conference serves as an opportunity to strengthen partnerships with African nations where mining has become a major contributor to gross domestic product (GDP), facilitating the exchange of expertise and best practices, as well as to gain insights into various reform and development experiences within the mining sector.
The Egyptian delegation commenced its activities by attending the ministerial symposium on critical and strategic minerals. Held before the official opening of the conference with extensive international participation, the session was inaugurated by Gwede Mantashe, South Africa’s Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources.
The symposium aimed to present and discuss visions for mobilizing regional and international efforts to maximize the utilization of these minerals, which are vital for renewable energy projects, technology, electronics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications, and the automotive industry. Additionally, the session addressed policies and financing methods for critical mineral extraction projects, as well as overcoming challenges to support the establishment of secure and sustainable supply chains for these essential minerals.
On the sidelines of the conference, the delegation met with Vijay Kumar, CEO of Vedanta Zinc International, where they reviewed available investment opportunities in Egypt’s untapped copper and zinc regions, as these are classified as critical and strategic minerals.
The international company was briefed on Egypt’s plan to conduct a comprehensive aerial geophysical survey of mineral-rich areas. This initiative will provide a modern and accurate database to support investment decision-making and encourage investors. Furthermore, both parties discussed ways to expand cooperation to include manufacturing projects based on zinc and copper ores, aimed at maximizing their added value.
Vedanta Zinc International (VZI) is the Johannesburg-based arm of Vedanta Limited, overseeing strategic zinc operations in South Africa, Namibia, and Ireland. As part of the wider Vedanta Resources plc family, VZI leverages global expertise to manage some of the world’s most significant zinc deposits.
