During a promotion session at the fifth edition of the Future Minerals Forum (FMF) in Riyadh, Badawi affirmed to investors and mining firms that Egypt has updated its mining policies regulating the sector, amending legislation, expediting exploration risk-reducing measures, and transitioning from discovery to production.
Held in Saudi Arabia, the FMF is a government-led mineral platform, bringing together industry experts, leaders, government officials, and stakeholders. The forum facilitates dialogue on agreements and initiatives related to mineral discovery and sustainable production. The theme for this edition of the FMF is ‘Minerals: Meeting the Challenges of a New Era of Development.’
Egypt is adopting incentives targeting start-ups and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which play a key role in new gold exploration. In addition, the government is offering larger and more suitable mining areas to improve project feasibility, as well as encouraging financial institutions to provide financing for investors.
The Ministry of Petroleum, Badawi noted, plans to simplify procedures and save investors' time by unifying mining licensing procedures under the Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority.
He confirmed the upcoming launch of a digital mining portal that will give investors access to geological data and information on current and possible mining areas. Through the portal, Badawi added, investors will be able to review available opportunities and complete all application and contracting procedures.
Other measures in the pipeline include implementing an aerial survey programme to cover mining areas, provide clear investment targets, and reduce risks in the exploration stage.
Moreover, the petroleum minister met with several international firms over the past few days to discuss and promote potential investment opportunities in Egypt’s mining sector to increase production, exploration, and exports of gold, iron, copper, and silver.
The energy sector, including mining, is one of five priority sectors in Egypt’s new economic plan, which aims to raise the country’s real GDP to 7.5 percent by 2030 and create 1.5 million new jobs. The plan also aims to increase the mining sector’s contribution to the GDP to five-six percent. The annual foreign direct investment (FDI) target was also set at $24.6 billion and total exports at $145 billion by 2030, as per the second National Narrative for Comprehensive Development.
According to Badawi, revenues from mineral resource development increased by 131 percent to $446 million as of July 2025, compared to the year before.
During that time, Egypt exported 1.4 million tons of ores and mineral products at a value of $52.5 million, excluding phosphate ore, while production increased by 39 percent compared to the year before, reaching 26 million tons of ores and mineral products.
Egypt also set a goal to raise its mining exports to $10 billion by 2040, up from $1.6 billion in 2021.
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