Egypt Mining Opportunities

Egypt’s mining sector is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by the government’s strategic push to position the country as a regional hub for mineral exploration and production. 

Historically underexploited despite its rich reserves of gold, copper, phosphates, and other industrial minerals, the sector is now seeing renewed investor interest following sweeping reforms introduced in recent years. Central to this effort is the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, which, through its affiliate, the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority (EMRA), has been leading modernization initiatives to attract international mining companies. Egypt’s 2019 amendments to the Mineral Resources Law eliminated production sharing agreements, replacing them with more investor-friendly royalty and tax systems that align with global standards. These regulatory shifts, paired with aggressive promotion of exploration tenders, such as the gold exploration rounds in the Eastern Desert, underscore the government’s commitment to revitalizing the sector.

The government’s mining strategy, as outlined in Egypt Vision 2030, aims to increase the sector’s contribution to GDP while promoting sustainable and environmentally responsible practices. The Supreme Council for Energy, in coordination with EMRA and the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA), plays a key role in aligning mining projects with national development and environmental objectives. Investors are required to comply with environmental impact assessments, land-use regulations, and licensing requirements governed by both EMRA and the Industrial Development Authority (IDA). Additionally, the Geological Survey of Egypt continues to provide vital mapping and resource data to support exploration activities. While the regulatory environment has improved markedly, stakeholders continue to advocate for further streamlining of permitting processes and increased transparency to unlock the sector’s full potential.

For more information, please contact Commercial Specialist Dina Bissada.