The Egyptian Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority (MRMIA) approved the issuance and renewal of 53 mineral exploration and exploitation licenses during the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2025. This regulatory action, covering the period from October to December, aligns with the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources’ (MoPMR) strategy to streamline mining operations and enhance the economic value of the nation’s mineral wealth.

Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi endorsed the approvals following a technical review by a specialized committee and the MRMIA Board of Directors, according to a statement by MoPMR.

According to MRMIA, the decisions include 11 new exploration permits for minerals such as vein feldspar, calcite, vermiculite, magnetite, iron oxide, and talc.

In the exploitation category, the authority granted 15 new licenses for fluorspar, iron oxide, and phosphate, while renewing 26 existing exploitation licenses for glass sand, phosphate, and diane feldspar. One land license application was also finalized .

Reflecting the Ministry’s push for public-private integration, the licenses were awarded to 18 private sector firms and six public sector entities. By securing these raw materials, the MoPMR aims to support local downstream industries, including ceramics, cement, glass manufacturing, and phosphate fertilizers.

These reforms support Egypt’s long-term objective of increasing the mining sector’s contribution to the gross domestic product (GDP) to approximately 6% by 2030.

By accelerating production in key areas like phosphate and potash, the Ministry aims to meet rising global demand while strengthening the domestic mining value chain.