Monday, 25 May 2026
Egypt embarks on nationwide geological survey to boost mining investments
In a significant move to revitalize its mining sector, Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources is set to launch a comprehensive geological survey program across the country.
Utilizing cutting-edge technology, the initiative aims to catalog all of Egypt’s untapped mineral resources, providing investors with detailed, integrated data to fuel growth in the industry. This announcement comes amid ongoing reforms designed to make Egypt a more attractive destination for global mining companies.
Karim Badawi, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, revealed plans for the ambitious survey during a recent meeting with representatives from the UAE-based International Resources Holding (IRH).
The program will employ the latest technological tools to conduct a full geological inventory, identifying mining potentials nationwide.
“The goal is to offer complete geological data to investors eager to enter Egypt’s mining sector,” Badawi stated, emphasizing the parallel development of a digital portal for geological information and investment opportunities. This portal, modeled after the successful Egypt Upstream Gateway (EUG) for oil and gas exploration, will enable quick and easy access for potential investors.
The meeting, held as a follow-up to discussions initiated the previous week in Cairo, involved Shailendra Sinha, Vice President of IRH for Exploration, and Conrad Alderton, the company’s Chief Geologist. Also in attendance was Yasser Ramadan, President of the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority (EMRA). The talks centered on technical and technological collaboration to gather subsurface geological data on Egypt’s mining assets.
IRH representatives highlighted their expertise in preparatory services for aerial surveys, which serve as the initial phase before full geological aerial mapping. These efforts help pinpoint optimal locations for various underground minerals. They underscored that openly and transparently sharing geological data sends a powerful signal to international firms, demonstrating Egypt’s commitment to advancing its mining industry.
The session concluded with an agreement to form joint working teams, paving the way for a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation, expected to be signed early next month. This partnership aligns with broader efforts to integrate advanced technology into Egypt’s resource mapping, potentially accelerating investment inflows.
Egypt’s mining industry has long been overshadowed by its oil and gas sectors, but recent government initiatives signal a strategic shift.
Historically, the country has been known for resources like gold, phosphate, and iron ore, with ancient mining activities dating back to pharaonic times. However, modern exploitation has been limited by outdated infrastructure and regulatory hurdles.
In July 2025, the ministry outlined plans to restructure EMRA into an economic authority, empowering it to conduct advanced geological and seismic studies.
This includes ongoing aerial and seismic surveys to map mineral resources comprehensively, part of a national strategy to attract global investment and position Egypt as a key player in the international mining landscape.
In a May 2025 interview, Badawi discussed revitalizing the sector by streamlining processes for junior mining companies, improving financing access, and embedding sustainability and safety standards. These efforts aim to create a dynamic, inclusive industry ready for the global energy transition. The American Chamber of Commerce has noted increased investor confidence, particularly from U.S. firms interested in critical minerals and rare earth elements.
The digital portal mentioned in the announcement builds on the EUG model, which has successfully digitized oil and gas data, attracting billions in investments. By extending this to mining, Egypt hopes to maximize value-added outputs and economic returns from its resources.
Founded in 2022 and headquartered in Abu Dhabi, UAE, IRH is a vertically integrated natural resources company specializing in critical minerals, mining, trading, and technology. With a global team of experts, IRH manages a diverse portfolio of metal and mineral assets, emphasizing innovation, efficiency, and sustainability from mine to market. The company has rapidly expanded, including recent agreements to acquire mining interests, positioning it as a key player in the sector.
IRH’s involvement in Egypt extends beyond this survey collaboration. Recent meetings with IRH’s CEO, Vineet Mehra, have explored financing solutions for mining projects, particularly in gold and phosphate, and facilitating access to global markets.
Mehra has expressed strong belief in Egypt’s potential, citing successful models from other countries that IRH aims to replicate here. This strategic partnership combines IRH’s technological prowess with Egypt’s resource wealth, potentially setting a new benchmark for sustainable mining development.
This geological survey program could unlock billions in investments, diversifying Egypt’s economy beyond hydrocarbons.