Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El Molla will open the activities of the Egypt Mining Forum 2023 in its second edition tomorrow. 

Taking place at the Nile Ritz-Carlton, the event will witness the participation of ministers, heads of major international and local mining companies, as well as investors and experts in this vital sector, according to a press release from the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

El Molla will deliver a keynote speech at the opening of the forum, during which he will explain the vision of the MoPMR to unleash the investment potential of the Egyptian mining sector and maximize its contribution to the national product.

The first strategic roundtable will be held for the pioneers of the mining and minerals sector at the invitation of El Molla, and it will be an important opportunity to discuss areas of cooperation in the Egyptian mining sector.

El Molla explained that holding the conference at this time is of great importance for presenting the program and the strategic vision for the development of the mining sector and achieving the optimal exploitation of Egypt’s mineral wealth in light of the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and his constant follow-up of the projects of the mining sector to become an important contribution to the national income. 

The development and modernization of the sector is being progressing through the strengthening of investment partnerships with international and local mining companies; and the launching of global bids to explore and exploit gold and minerals. This is in addition to expanding the manufacture of mineral ores to maximize the added value and economic return and investing in the human element to develop it.

The forum, scheduled to be held over two days under the slogan ‘Building upon 120 Years of Geological Discoveries for a Decarbonized and Sustainable Future’, will witness various discussion sessions focusing on the Egyptian mining sector’s strategies to attract investments, enhance cooperation, as well as local and international partnerships with investors to exploit promising opportunities and maximize added value. This work is also towards a sustainable mining future, as well as current trends in the global mining industry.

The high-level ministerial discussion session comes as the most prominent of the sessions being held during the forum to address the opportunities and challenges of the mining sector to drive economic growth and development.

It will feature El Molla; Bandar Alkhorayef, Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Yonis Ali Guedi, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Djibouti; Domingo Mba Esono, Vice Minister of Mines & Hydrocarbons of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea; and George Mireku Duker, Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources of Ghana.

The forum will also include a high-level session for leaders of the mining industry, including CEOs of major international mining companies, to shed light on how to unlock the investment potential of the Egyptian mining sector and steps to develop it into an attractive destination for global mining investors.

The panelists include Martin Horgan, CEO of Centamin PLC; Mike Silver, Chief Executive & Co-Founder of Lotus Gold Corporation; and Mark Campbell, Chairman & General Manager of Akh Gold Limited.

More than 200 participants from the pioneers and leaders of the mining industry in Egypt and the world are scheduled to participate in the activities of the Egypt Mining Forum.

Speakers include Tonno Vahk, Aton Resources’ CEO; Magdi Habib, Director General of CanmetMINING Natural Resources Canada; Brian Wesson, Chairman of Lionsbridge; and Marit Kitaw, Interim Director at African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC), along with a host of distinguished speakers.

The forum will feature an accompanying exhibition hosting 50 exhibitors and 34 event sponsors representing various sectors across the mining supply chain will be inaugurated to showcase a variety of products, services, and solutions in mining technology offered by the participating companies.