Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has instructed the government to develop a comprehensive national strategy to maximize the benefits of the country’s rare minerals, according to statements by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.
Madbouly emphasized that the Egyptian government is moving decisively to capitalize on its mineral wealth, with a particular focus on rare minerals, which are considered a key pillar for the development of advanced industries and clean energy technologies.
The objective goes beyond extraction. The strategy aims to transform Egypt into a regional hub for the processing and manufacturing of mineral raw materials, increasing their added value and strengthening the national economy over the long term.
National Strategy and Investment Framework
The strategy was discussed during a government meeting held at the Cabinet headquarters in the New Administrative Capital, attended by senior officials from the Ministries of Industry, Transport, and Petroleum, as well as representatives of the mining and marble industries.
According to Cabinet spokesperson Mohamed al-Homosany, the main pillars of the strategy include:
-
conducting extensive geological surveys to identify available mineral resources,
-
establishing strategic partnerships to import critical minerals required for industrial expansion,
-
expanding processing and refining activities for rare minerals,
-
creating an attractive investment climate for both foreign and domestic investors.
Particular emphasis is placed on incentives linked to production, operation, and technological upgrading of industrial facilities.
From Extraction to Processing
A study presented by the Ministry of Industry highlighted that Egypt’s mining and quarrying resources represent a cornerstone of industrial development, as they include minerals with unique chemical and physical properties essential for key sectors such as chemicals, agriculture, energy, and construction.
The study underlined the global trend of treating mining as an integrated industry, extending beyond extraction to include advanced processing and the development of value-added industrial chains.
It also proposed simplifying licensing procedures, strengthening scientific research, and increasing the use of local raw materials in industrial production.Sector Outlook
This strategy highlights Egypt’s potential to emerge as a significant player on the global minerals and processing map, creating new opportunities for investment and cooperation across the broader stone and construction materials sector.
Implications for the Marble and Natural Stone Sector
Egypt’s strategy, with its strong focus on processing and value addition of raw materials, is directly relevant to the marble and natural stone sector.
The expansion of processing activities and the strengthening of industry through the utilization of local resources can become a critical driver of economic growth and industrial development for the marble sector.
Moreover, the creation of an attractive investment framework and the inflow of capital, as outlined in the strategy, may support the modernization of marble processing facilities, enhancing the competitiveness of Egyptian marble products in international markets.
Egypt’s focus on processing and value addition of mineral resources extends across the entire industrial value chain of minerals and natural stone, opening new pathways for innovation, investment, and export growth, and reinforcing the country’s position on the global map of natural materials and mineral processing.
