The meeting was attended by Geologist Yasser Ramadan,
Chairman of EMRA; Dr. Mohamed El-Bagoury, Head of the Ministry’s Central Legal
Affairs Department; Dr. Tamer Abu Bakr; and Engineer Mohamed Ismail, members of
EMRA’s Board of Directors.
The Minister stressed that transforming EMRA into an
economic authority, under the directive of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi,
represents a key milestone for advancing the mining sector, increasing its
contribution to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and enhancing
investor confidence.
Badawi reviewed the key aspects of the reform and incentive
package adopted by the Ministry to create a favorable work and investment
environment in the mining sector. He noted that the Ministry is in the final
stages of procedures and approvals to launch a new aerial survey for the first
time since 1984. This survey will cover the entire country, opening broader
opportunities for mineral exploration and exploitation, updating geological
data, reducing investment risks, and identifying significant mineral resource
opportunities, encouraging further investments.
He highlighted that one of the main benefits of transforming
EMRA into an economic authority is the enhanced ability to support its staff.
The Board has been tasked with implementing measures to strengthen human
resources (HR). Efforts are underway to develop staff capabilities through
partnerships with leading international mining universities, notably Murdoch
and Curtin Universities in Australia. A comprehensive training program is being
prepared for EMRA staff covering technical, administrative, and operational
aspects of mining, along with a specialized program for the Board of Directors
to keep pace with global mining developments.
Badawi emphasized the crucial role of employees across all
mining sites in ensuring the Authority performs efficiently under the new
positive changes. He also praised the successful development of a unified
licensing system to streamline procedures for investors, integrating all licensing
entities under EMRA’s Board following its transformation into an economic
authority, reducing bureaucracy and accelerating work processes.
The Minister instructed the swift completion of a new
digital portal for investors, providing easier access to geological data and an
online platform for license applications. He also highlighted the development
of investment systems for gold and other minerals, including the approval of a
more attractive tax and royalty agreement model aligned with global best
practices. A package of incentives will target emerging and medium-sized
exploration companies, expanding exploration efforts and increasing
opportunities for new mineral resource extraction.
In conclusion, the Minister thanked EMRA staff, expressing
confidence in their ability to achieve outstanding results during this new
phase of the Authority’s development.