Misr Phosphate Company’s (PhosPhate Misr) output reached 4.02 million tons, marking growth for the fifth consecutive year, outgoing chairman and managing director Mohamed Abdel‑Azim said in a Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources statement. The release did not specify whether the increase was measured on a fiscal or calendar‑year basis, nor did it clarify which year was covered.
Speaking at the company’s general assembly, attended by Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi and the newly appointed chairman and managing director, Nasser Shahin, Abdel‑Azim outlined key performance indicators and business results. He noted that through exploration, production, and exploitation of mines in the New Valley, Red Sea, and Nile Valley, Misr Phosphate leads the Egyptian market with a 40% share of production and sales.
He noted that work is underway in the West El-Mohoub area in the New Valley to begin producing new quantities of phosphate ore in the second half of this year, with drilling operations being carried out to confirm new phosphate reserves in both the West El-Mohoub and Qulou’ El Sibaiya areas.
In the field of value-added industries from phosphate ore, Abdel Azim explained that the phosphoric acid project, with a capacity of 450,000 tons, has entered the actual implementation phase of the complex. Early works at the project site in the New Valley began on January 1 of this year, with construction now progressing.
Abdel Azim also stated that steps have been taken to establish the phosphate fertilizer complex planned in Sokhna, in cooperation with the global company Indorama, using the latest technologies and with a production capacity of 600,000 tons.
During the meeting, Badawi emphasized efforts to maximize the added value of Egypt’s phosphate ore by expanding mining industries in partnership with the Egyptian private sector, international partners, and in cooperation with the Ministry of Industry. He explained that transforming the Mineral Resources Authority into an economic body, under the name Egyptian Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority (MRMIA), represents a turning point in attracting investment and supporting the establishment of new mining industries.
The Minister explained that the phosphoric acid complex currently under construction in the New Valley, along with the phosphate fertilizer complex in Sokhna in partnership with the global company Indorama, whose construction contract was signed just days ago in the presence of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, represent important models of this approach.
Badawi added that the phosphoric acid project faced challenges in starting implementation; however, the integrated work with shareholders over the past year helped overcome these obstacles and put the project back on track after a period of suspension.
The Minister stressed that no new contracts will be signed for the export of raw phosphate going forward, with priority given instead to industrial processing that maximizes the added value of the ore domestically, while fully honoring all existing export contracts.
In April, PhosPhate Misr Company signed a contract with Indorama Global Holdings for the supply of phosphate ore. Indorama Corporation (IRC) is a Singapore-headquartered global materials company with operations across fertilizers, petrochemicals, polymers, fibers & yarns, medical gloves, and minerals.
