Egypt launches first nationwide mineral survey in 42 years
Egypt has signed an agreement with Spain’s Xcalibur to conduct the country’s first comprehensive aerial mineral survey in four decades. The six‑region geophysical mapping project aims to reduce exploration costs and risks, encouraging domestic and international mining investment.
Egypt has signed a landmark agreement with a Spanish firm to carry out the first comprehensive aerial survey of the country’s mineral resources in 42 years. The Petroleum and Mineral Resources Ministry announced Sunday that Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi witnessed the initial signing between the Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority and Spain’s Xcalibur at Marsa Alam Airport on the Red Sea coast, where a specialised survey aircraft has already arrived.
Six key regions
The large‑scale geophysical mapping project will cover six strategically important regions: the northern and southern Eastern Desert, Sinai, the northern and southern Western Desert, and the Bahariya‑Abu Tartour area in New Valley Governorate. Minister Badawi said the data generated would help reduce exploration costs and risks while encouraging domestic and international companies to increase investments in mining and mineral exploration.
Economic impact
Egypt’s petroleum and mineral resources sector contributed to a 14.8% increase in the country’s exports in 2025, reaching 5.8 billion—comprising 3.89 billion from petroleum and $1.87 billion from mineral resources.
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