Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt seeks Australian mining investment, eyes gold sector expansion
Perth, Australia– Egypt wrapped up its first official participation at Africa Down Under, one of the largest African-focused mining and energy conferences held outside the continent, with the nation’s Petroleum and Mineral Resources Minister, Eng. Karim Badawi, conducting a series of high-level meetings to attract Australian investment in Egypt’s mining sector.
During his visit, Minister Badawi met with representatives from nine leading Australian mining companies and institutions, highlighting Egypt’s efforts to transform its mining investment climate. He showcased major reforms including updated investment regulations, streamlined licensing procedures, and an enhanced role for Egypt’s Mineral Resources Authority, all designed to make the country more attractive to international investors.
One of the conference highlights was a roundtable titled “Invest in Egypt,” organized in collaboration with AGA and Capital Drilling, where industry leaders discussed Egypt’s new investment incentives and the government’s commitment to aligning local regulations with global standards. Minister Badawi invited small and medium-sized mining companies to contribute to policy development and assured them Egyptian authorities are ready to support private sector growth.
Geologist Yasser Ramadan, head of the Mineral Resources Authority, presented promising investment opportunities in mineral exploration, underpinned by modernized infrastructure and competitive legal frameworks.
Minister Badawi also focused on Egypt’s ambitions in the gold sector with a dedicated meeting on the Iqat gold mine in the Eastern Desert. Discussions covered expansion plans and ongoing studies to establish a state-of-the-art gold processing facility. Egypt hopes to leverage advanced Australian mining technology in upcoming projects, aiming to elevate the Iqat mine to international production standards.
Badawi reaffirmed the government’s support for the operator, Tharwa Resources, and its work since 2016, stating Egypt’s goal is to boost gold output and secure a spot for the Iqat mine among the world’s leading gold producers.
Further meetings included discussions with Jeff Quartermaine, CEO of Australian gold mining firm Perseus Mining, which runs multiple gold mines in West Africa. Talks focused on adopting best mining practices in Egypt and invited Perseus to explore investment opportunities in the country.
Egyptian officials also met with leaders from BDO Australia, exploring collaboration on economic feasibility, advisory, and financing services for major energy and mining projects. The talks included strategies to attract startups and mid-sized companies to unexplored regions in Egypt, with BDO expressing intent to visit the country soon with a delegation of Australian mining executives.
Finally, meetings with Geodrill, an Australian drilling company active in Egypt, highlighted the rapid evolution of Egypt’s mining sector and reinforced the country’s emergence as a preferred mining investment destination in Africa.
Egypt’s presence at Africa Down Under signals a new chapter for the nation’s mining sector, with robust reforms and proactive diplomacy designed to put Egypt on global investors’ maps—and to elevate its gold industry to world-class standards.