In 2024, Egypt was the world’s 4th-ranked producer of direct-reduced iron, accounting for 4.9% of the world’s output; tied for 7th-ranked producer of phosphate rock, accounting for an estimated 2.2%; the 8th-ranked producer of ammonia, accounting for 2.5%; the 10th-ranked producer of cement, accounting for an estimated 1.4%; and the 21st-ranked producer of salt, accounting for an estimated 0.8%. Egypt ranked third in phosphate rock reserves after Morocco and China. Other mineral commodities produced in Egypt include ammonium nitrate, aluminum (primary and secondary), clays (bentonite and kaolin), refined copper, ferroalloys (ferromanganese and ferrosilicon), gold, gypsum, iron ore, lime, manganese, mica, phosphoric acid, quartz, sand and gravel (unspecified), steel (raw and steel products), sulfuric acid, and talc and related materials.
In 2024, Egypt’s real gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 2.4% compared with an increase of 3.8% in 2023. The country’s nominal GDP decreased to \$383 billion in 2024 from \$394 billion in 2023. In fiscal year 2023/2024 (July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024), the most recent period for which data were available, the nonpetroleum share of the mineral sector was 1.4% of GDP. The legislative framework for the mineral sector in Egypt is provided by the Mineral Resources Law No. 198 of 2014 and its amendment, Law No. 145 of 2019, and the Executive Regulations No.108 of 2020. The Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority under the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources oversees the country’s mineral industry and is responsible for administrating mining companies and issuing exploration and mining licenses. Licenses are granted by Governorates for quarries and salt pans.
