· Egypt Mining Forum 2026 concluded following its largest edition to date, bringing together more than 6,000 participants from over 50 countries as Egypt advances reforms aimed at accelerating exploration, attracting investment and increasing mining’s contribution to around 6% of GDP.
· Across two days, ministers, global mining leaders, investors and international institutions examined the conditions required to turn Egypt’s geological potential into discoveries, commercially viable mines and greater downstream industrial value.
· The Forum highlighted new exploration momentum, critical minerals and gold opportunities, regional supply-chain development and Egypt’s growing role within the mineral-rich Arabian-Nubian Shield.
CAIRO, EGYPT – Egypt Mining Forum 2026 concluded at The St. Regis New Capital, Cairo, following its largest edition to date, with two days of high-level dialogue, strategic engagement and technical exchange focused on accelerating mineral exploration, strengthening investment confidence and advancing Egypt’s mining sector.
Held under the patronage of H.E. Abdel Fattah El Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, who inaugurated the Forum on 28 September, hosted by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources and supported by the Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority (MRMIA), the fifth edition brought together more than 6,000 participants from over 50 countries, alongside more than 500 conference delegates, 100 speakers and 100 exhibiting companies. The Presidential inauguration placed Egypt’s mining reform and investment agenda at the centre of two days of engagement between government and the global mining industry.
The Forum took place as Egypt advances an ambition to increase mining’s contribution to around 6% of GDP, supported by reforms to licensing, fiscal terms, fees, permitting and investor services, alongside a greater focus on exploration, processing and downstream value creation. H.E. Eng. Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, outlined Egypt’s next chapter in mineral exploration and investment, including measures designed to attract exploration companies and support the progression of projects from discovery to development.
The opening programme also featured global perspectives from Alberto Calderon, CEO and Executive Director of AngloGold Ashanti; Doug Horak, CEO of the Australia-Africa Minerals & Energy Group; Rohitesh Dhawan, President and CEO of the International Council on Mining and Metals; and Namrata Thapar, Global Director, Metals and Minerals at the World Bank Group. Their contributions examined Egypt’s investment opportunity, the role of partnerships, critical minerals, exploration and the policy conditions required to unlock mineral potential.
President El Sisi’s opening message reinforced the importance of investor confidence, while Minister Badawi emphasised Egypt’s commitment to developing an investment environment that supports long-term exploration, production and greater value creation from the country’s mineral resources.
“We affirm the Egyptian State's commitment to ensuring the success of investments by companies and business leaders, whether in mining or any other sector.”
Government representation from across Africa and the Middle East further reflected the Forum’s growing regional and international reach. Alongside H.E. Eng. Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Arab Republic of Egypt, and H.E. Khaled Hashem, Minister of Industry, Arab Republic of Egypt, international ministerial participation included H.E. Louis Watum Kabamba, Minister of Mines, Democratic Republic of the Congo; H.E. Eng. Khalid bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer, Vice Minister of Mining Affairs, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Hon. Anthony P. Mavunde, Minister of Minerals, United Republic of Tanzania; Hon. Phiona Nyamutoro, Minister of State for Mineral Development, Republic of Uganda; H.E. Slah Zouari, Acting Minister of Industry, Mines and Energy, Republic of Tunisia; H.E. Hassan Ali Joho, Cabinet Secretary for Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs, Republic of Kenya; and Hon. Foday Mousa Fofana, Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, Republic of Sierra Leone.
From reform to exploration, investment and production
Across two days, Egypt Mining Forum reflected a sector moving into a new phase, as regulatory reform, renewed exploration activity and growing international interest begin to translate into tangible investment opportunities and a stronger pipeline of commercially viable mining projects.
A key focus was Egypt’s renewed exploration momentum. With the Open Blocks system attracting 119 companies and 403 offers across 118 mining blocks in its first three months, discussions centred on how improved access to geological data, streamlined licensing and modern exploration technologies can accelerate the discovery of new resources and advance projects towards development.
The Forum also addressed the growing global importance of critical minerals and resilient supply chains, positioning Egypt within the wider mineral potential of the Arabian-Nubian Shield at a time when access to new exploration jurisdictions is becoming increasingly important to global industry. Discussions examined how geology, competitive regulation, infrastructure and downstream capability can help Egypt and the wider region capture a greater share of future mineral investment and value creation.
Gold remained a major part of the conversation, reflecting both Egypt’s established production base and renewed international interest in exploration beyond Sukari. AngloGold Ashanti has indicated plans to expand exploration in Egypt, while discussions at the Forum highlighted the importance of responsible production, refining and stronger local value chains.
Underpinning these discussions was a broader ambition to increase the economic value generated from Egypt’s mineral resources. With the government targeting a mining contribution of around 6% of GDP, the focus is increasingly moving beyond extraction towards processing, manufacturing, stronger supply chains and greater value addition across minerals including gold, phosphates and industrial minerals.
Building a stronger regional mining ecosystem
The wider conversation reflected the issues shaping mining globally and across the region, from the growing importance of critical minerals and resilient supply chains to the continued strength of gold and Egypt’s ambition to capture greater value from its mineral resources through processing and downstream industries.
The launch of the African Minerals Regulatory Authorities Forum (AFMRA) in Cairo further reinforced the importance of regional cooperation in creating competitive, investment-ready mining jurisdictions and strengthening the foundations for greater mineral value creation across Africa.
As Egypt Mining Forum 2026 concluded, the direction established across the two days was clear: deepen exploration, strengthen investor confidence, accelerate discoveries and project development, and capture greater economic value from Egypt’s mineral resources. With reform gathering pace and international participation continuing to grow, the Forum reflected Egypt’s ambition to build a more competitive mining sector while strengthening its role within the Arabian-Nubian Shield and the wider global minerals economy.
Egypt Mining Forum 2026 was supported by an extensive group of international and Egyptian companies and institutions whose participation contributed to the breadth of the Forum’s programme and exhibition.
Partners: AFAQ Mining; AngloGold Ashanti; EBDAA Gold Mines; Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources – Saudi Arabia; SAM Precious Metals; Saudi Gold Refinery Co.
Diamond Sponsors: AkhGold; ARGAS; Aton Resources; Capital; Elsewedy Electric; Genesis Mining; Huawei; Komatsu; MovingFert; Xcalibur Smart Mapping.
Platinum Sponsors: Alwadi; Geodrill; Lotus Gold Corporation; Red Sea Resources; Shell Lubricants.
Gold Sponsors: CNBM Sinoma; Egyptian Company for Mineral Resources; Egyptian Marketing Co. for Phosphate and Fertilizers; Misr Phosphate; Petrojet; Shalateen Mineral Resources Co.; SCMS; WADICO.
Silver Sponsors: ALS; CyPlus; Enppi; Mantrac; Metso; National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries; Polyserve Fertilizers; Pyramids; Tsurumi Pump.
Bronze Sponsors: Armada Iveco; AVEVA; Egyptian Maintenance Company.
Egypt Mining Forum 2026 was hosted by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, supported by the Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority (MRMIA) and organised by dmg events.
