Egypt’s Cabinet approves decree allowing land owners to explore, exploit mineral deposits

CAIRO – 30 April 2026: Egypt’s Cabinet approved a draft decree amending certain provisions of the Executive Regulations of the Mineral Resources Law, issued by Decree No. 108 of 2020, allowing land owners to apply for exploration or exploitation licenses on their land.

As per the decree, applicants must hold registered land ownership to apply for exploration or exploitation licenses on their land, submitting applications to the competent authority with required documents, fees, and a technical report. Licenses are issued in the landowner’s name, who is exempt from rent if approved.

The amendment applies the regulations to exploration and exploitation licenses for mineral deposits, quarries, and salt pans, as well as to licenses for laboratories analyzing rocks, ores, quarry materials, and salts.

The decree also introduces controls on licensing procedures, including a ban on issuing licenses for protected or sensitive areas such as archaeological sites, nature reserves, residential areas, infrastructure corridors (airports, roads, railways, pipelines), and public utilities, unless prior approval is obtained from the relevant authorities within 30 days.

The amendment allows the Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority (EMRA) to establish or participate in companies for mining activities locally and internationally, with a minimum 10% public sector share, while subjecting them to all legal obligations.

An advisory committee chaired by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources will be formed, meeting at least four times annually to provide expert opinions on related matters.

Exploration licenses are issued via the Egypt Mining Portal or EMRA, with limits on area and duration (two years, renewable up to six years in total, with possible extension based on justification). Licensees bear annual exploration costs.

Finally, a new chapter regulates licensing and operation of laboratories for testing and analyzing mineral and quarry materials, including technical standards and inspection controls.