Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi, held a meeting with the Board of Directors of the Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority (MRMIA), chaired by Yasser Ramadan, to discuss the launch of the nationwide airborne geophysical survey project.

The meeting also focused on aligning the Authority’s operational roadmaps with its new status as an economic entity. Officials briefed Badawi on the developments in negotiations for new gold and mineral investments,  and in the implementation of recently issued mining and exploitation licenses.

The meeting shed light on the progress of existing agreements between  Egyptian and international companies to maximise value-added industries, particularly in phosphate ore. This aligns with the Ministry’s focus on facilitating investment in the mining sector and increasing the economic return from mineral resources.

The Minister emphasized the importance of full coordination among all board members and achieving integration between representatives of the various ministries and entities to develop a strategy for the optimal utilization of Egypt’s mineral resources, directing that board meetings be held regularly.

In 2025, the Industry Committee of the Egyptian Parliament ratified a draft law to transition the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority (EMRA) into an independent economic entity under the name MRMIA. This legislative approval followed extensive consultations with representatives from the Ministries of Finance, Industry, Petroleum, and Justice.

Following the law amendment, Badawi announced during the Egypt Mining Forum 2025 that the MRMIA will launch its first airborne geophysical survey in decades.

“The revamped authority now possesses the capability to carry out comprehensive aerial surveys and process the necessary geological data to attract new investments,” said Badawi.