A delegation from Barrick Gold conducted a several-day field visit to the mining sites in the Eastern Desert, in cooperation with the Egyptian General Authority for Mineral Resources. The visit began in Shalateen, then proceeded to Wadi Al-Alaqi to study the presence of gold ore in quartz veins and the associated areas regarding geological transformation. The visit also included inspection of several promising sites, where Barrick Gold's geological experts coordinated with the Egyptian Authority to review the preliminary results of exploration activities and confirm the large quantities of raw materials available.

The tour included a visit to the Iqat mine to monitor operations, study the influencing geological formations, and the historic Umm Al-Tuyur mine to examine ore evidence and assess investment potential. The visit also covered the Betam, Umm Shushuba, Sayeg, Wadi Marah, and Haimour regions, in addition to the Umm Graiyat, Anjat, Abu Fase, Wadi Umm Rilan, and Al-Athshan mines. All these areas are characterized by unique topographies that attract the interest of global companies, providing an ideal environment for geological exploration.

Barrick Gold's delegation expressed admiration for the promising potential of many sites, emphasizing the importance of this cooperation in strengthening Egypt's mining sector. Multiple samples were collected from various locations representing gold ores in distinctive areas, which will be analyzed in specialized laboratories to extract precise results regarding the ore quality and the amount of gold present. These samples will significantly contribute to the development of future exploration plans and the identification of the most economically viable investment sites.

Engineer Karim Badawi, Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, pointed out that this visit is part of the third axis of the ministry's strategy to enhance the mining sector, reflecting the Egyptian government's vision to increase the mining sector's contribution to the GDP. This visit reflects the Ministry's commitment to providing full support to global mining companies to develop this strategic sector, which is considered a cornerstone of Egypt's future economy. The minister emphasized the importance of continuous cooperation with global companies like Barrick Gold, as part of Egypt's efforts to attract more foreign investment in the mining sector.

For their part, Barrick Gold officials expressed their gratitude to the Egyptian government for the fruitful cooperation and confirmed that they were optimistic about the mining potential discovered in Egypt. They indicated that the company would continue to study the results of this field visit to develop detailed plans to begin exploration operations in the promising areas. The company also expressed its readiness to support exploration operations using the latest geological technologies in the world.

This visit comes at a time when Egypt is experiencing significant development in its mining sector, especially with the plans set by the Ministry of Petroleum to increase the sector's contribution to the national economy. This type of cooperation between Egypt and global mining companies is an important step toward achieving greater sustainability in exploring natural resources, which will enhance the country's ability to exploit its mineral resources more effectively.

During the visit, ways to enhance mutual cooperation between Barrick Gold and the Egyptian General Authority for Mineral Resources were discussed, particularly in the exchange of expertise and advanced technologies in mining operations. The discussion also touched on strengthening technical training mechanisms for Egyptian workers in the mining sector to ensure the transfer of advanced technology and the development of local skills, contributing to the creation of new job opportunities and improving productivity.

The Barrick Gold delegation praised the efficiency of Egyptian workers in the mining sector, noting their great abilities to handle geological challenges and modern technologies. They added that this cooperation will enhance Egypt's position as a main hub for mining investments in the region, benefiting the Egyptian economy and contributing to the creation of multiple development opportunities.

In conclusion, Engineer Karim Badawi emphasized the importance of continued cooperation between the Ministry of Petroleum and global mining companies to open more investment prospects in Egypt's mining sector, especially given the vast natural resources in the Eastern Desert, which can significantly contribute to enhancing Egypt's economy.