Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, chaired the first meeting of the Executive Committee of the Egypt Mining Forum (EMF) 2026, scheduled to take place on 28–29 September 2026 in the New Capital. The meeting brought together representatives from leading Egyptian and international mining companies alongside the forum organizers to review preparations for the event.
Egypt’s mining sector is undergoing a major transformation driven by a package of legislative, regulatory, and institutional reforms implemented through close cooperation between the government, Parliament, and the private sector, said Badawi. He added that continued dialogue and cooperation with investors are essential to maximizing the benefits of these reforms and promoting them internationally.
The government aims to unlock its mineral wealth and increase mining’s contribution from less than 1% to 5%-6% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 2030. Positioned within the Arabian-Nubian Shield, a mineral-rich belt across northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, Egypt holds gold, copper, phosphate, iron ore, kaolin, silica sand, sulphur, and critical minerals.
The forum will run this year in a renewed vision that is based on the concept of a fully integrated mining ecosystem, extending beyond traditional mining activities to encompass the entire value chain, from exploration and geological surveying to mine development, production, mineral processing, local manufacturing, and value addition, according to Badawi.
He emphasized the importance of incorporating technology, innovation, digital transformation, and environmental sustainability into the forum’s agenda, describing them as essential pillars for building a modern and globally competitive mining industry.
Egypt’s Mining Forum has grown steadily since its 2022 launch, with the 2026 edition set to be its largest yet—drawing record attendance from investors, global mining companies, sponsors, and official delegations, according to a statement by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources (MoPMR).
EMF is expected to feature several ministers, senior international officials, chief executives from major mining companies, and global financial institutions participating in around 15 high-level sessions, alongside government and investment delegations from countries attending the forum for the first time.
The forum will also host a technical program comprising about 10 main sessions with more than 40 speakers and experts from Egypt and abroad. The agenda includes roundtable discussions, bilateral meetings, and an accompanying exhibition showcasing the latest technologies, solutions, and services supporting the mining industry.
