Egypt’s Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority (MRMIA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China’s Asia-Potash International Investment (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. to enhance collaboration in phosphate exploration and development. The agreement aims to unlock greater value from Egypt’s phosphate reserves.
The signing ceremony was witnessed by Karim Badawi, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources. MRMIA Chairman Yasser Ramadan and Asia-Potash Vice President Zeng Yuy signed the MoU.
According to the ministry, the agreement aligns with its broader strategy to grow the mining sector’s contribution to GDP from under 1% to between 5% and 6%. The approach includes drawing in major investments, expanding opportunities, and establishing an integrated system to increase the added value of mineral resources.
Badawi stressed the importance of taking swift, concrete steps to launch the initiative, along with regular progress reviews to ensure timelines are met.
The MoU also includes plans to collaborate on scientific research into phosphate ore reserves, enrichment and processing techniques, and the potential development of a modern phosphate fertilizer plant, in line with Egyptian regulations.
This agreement builds on earlier discussions held in January 2025, when Hossam Heiba, CEO of Egypt’s General Authority for Investment and Free Zones, met with Zeng Yuy to explore the creation of a $1.6 billion industrial complex for phosphate fertilizer production in Egypt. The project’s first phase targets the extraction of 2 million tonnes of phosphate annually, all of which would be processed into fertilizer for export to regional markets.
Asia-Potash, a publicly listed Chinese firm, operates across sectors including potash mining, fertilizer production, grain trade, international shipping, and logistics.
