Centamin Mining granted mining approval in Sukari
The Egyptian Parliament has officially approved a draft law authorizing the Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources to enter into a contract with the Egyptian Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority and Centamin Company. The agreement grants Centamin the right to exploit gold ore and associated minerals in the Sukari sector.
Aligned with constitutional provisions that allow natural resource exploitation licenses for up to 30 years, the contract is expected to drive economic growth, generate employment opportunities, and support the government’s strategic goal of developing the mining sector.
Scope of agreement
Under the agreement, Centamin will self-finance the entire project, ensuring it does not impose any financial burden on the state. The company has also committed to conducting regular environmental impact assessments and strictly adhering to environmental, health, and public safety standards. Additionally, Centamin will prioritize sourcing goods, services, and products from the local market, thereby reinforcing domestic industry and enhancing the project’s overall economic contribution to Egypt.
Mining activity around the Sukari area in Egypt is dominated by the Sukari Gold Mine, the country’s largest and most advanced gold mining operation. Located in the Eastern Desert near the Red Sea, approximately 700 kilometers southeast of Cairo, the mine is operated by Centamin plc in partnership with the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority (EMRA) under a 50:50 profit-sharing agreement.
Since beginning production in 2009, Sukari has become a cornerstone of Egypt’s modern mining sector, with annual output averaging between 400,000 and 500,000 ounces of gold. The mine combines both open-pit and underground mining methods and is supported by a large-scale processing plant utilizing carbon-in-leach technology.
