Egyptian Industry Minister Khalid Hisham participated in a discussion session at the fifth Egypt Mining Forum. The session, titled "Aligning Mineral Resource Development with Industrial Growth," focused on strategies for enhancing Egypt's mining and mineral industries. Minister Hisham emphasized that Egypt has taken significant steps in recent years to advance its mining sector. This includes launching the Egyptian Industry Strategy, which identifies basic minerals as key strategic industries.
The Egyptian government is currently studying all minerals extracted in the country to assess their potential for manufacturing. The goal is to improve value chains for mineral processing, increasing the value added to Egyptian minerals. This will enable them to be transformed into raw materials that serve the industry sector. Minister Hisham stated that the government aims to develop comprehensive value chains for the mining sector. These chains will link extraction, processing, refining, and mineral-based manufacturing.
The government's strategy involves aligning mining and industrial policies. This will help utilize mineral resources to support higher-value-added industries, enhance local and regional supply chains, and reduce reliance on imported inputs. The goal is to create new export opportunities. Minister Hisham noted that Egypt is shifting its approach to treating mineral resources not as basic commodities but as raw materials for integrated industries. This will help connect Egyptian industry to regional and global value chains.
Egypt has taken steps to limit the export of raw phosphate. Instead, the country prioritizes local manufacturing and higher-value-added industries, such as producing phosphoric acid and phosphate fertilizers. Minister Hisham highlighted that Egyptian manganese ore is a crucial input for the iron and steel industries. It also plays a significant role in maximizing the utilization of mineral wealth and reducing imports of refractory materials and silicon-manganese alloys.
This year, the government collaborated with two companies to manufacture manganese ore locally. The goal is to provide high-concentration ore, increase exports, create new job opportunities, and deepen local supply chains. Minister Hisham discussed Egypt's cooperation with African countries. He noted that intra-African trade stands at approximately $220 billion, a relatively modest figure given the continent's 54 countries and its resources.
Minister Hisham emphasized the need for African countries to integrate in the mining sector. Each country can contribute its strengths, whether in training workers, providing expertise, technology, mineral resources, or manufacturing capacities. The goal is to produce mineral-based products that serve all African countries. Egypt will host the "Africa El Alamein" forum next month, which will focus on these issues.
The Egyptian government's efforts aim to enhance the mining sector's contribution to the country's economy. By developing comprehensive value chains and promoting cooperation with African countries, Egypt seeks to maximize the benefits from its mineral resources. The government believes that this approach will help drive economic growth, create jobs, and increase the country's exports.
Key points
- Egypt aims to develop integrated chains for the mining sector to increase the value added to its minerals.
- The government is studying all extracted minerals to assess their potential for manufacturing and improve value chains.
- Egypt seeks to promote cooperation with African countries in the mining sector to drive economic growth and increase exports.
