Cairo: Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi announced that the government is working to maximize the added value of Egypt's phosphate resources by expanding mining-based industries in partnership with the private sector and international partners, in coordination with the Ministry of Industry. He noted that transforming the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority into an economic body under the name 'the Egyptian Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority' marks a key step in attracting investments and supporting new mining industries.

According to State Information Service Egypt, the minister, speaking at the general assembly of Phosphate Misr Company, highlighted ongoing projects including the phosphoric acid complex in the New Valley and a phosphate fertilizers complex in Sokhna. These projects are being developed in partnership with Indorama Corporation and were recently signed in the presence of Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly.

Badawi stated that challenges facing the phosphoric acid project have been resolved through coordination with stakeholders, allowing work to resume after a halt. He emphasized that no new contracts will be signed for exporting raw phosphate, with priority given to local processing to increase value, while existing export agreements will be honored.

He also pointed out the importance of training programs and investing in human resources to support the mining sector's growth, and praised plans to establish a mining school in the New Valley.