Egypt’s Misr Phosphate to start West El Mowahob output in H2

Misr Phosphate Company produced 4.02 million tons of phosphate and extended its growth streak to a fifth year, its chairman said on Sunday, as Egypt moves to curb raw exports and boost domestic processing.

The state-affiliated company holds about 40 per cent of Egypt’s phosphate market, Chairman Mohamed Abdel Azim told a general assembly meeting attended by Petroleum Minister Karim Badawy.

He said exploration and production are expanding in the New Valley, the Red Sea, and the Nile Valley, with new output expected from the West El Mowahob area in the second half of the year.

Abdel Azim added that a phosphoric acid project with a capacity of 450,000 tons has entered the execution phase, while a 600,000-ton fertiliser complex in Ain Sokhna is being developed with India’s Indorama.

The update comes as Egypt tightens controls on raw phosphate exports in a push to increase value added from its mineral resources.

Badawy said no new contracts would be signed for exporting raw phosphate, although existing agreements would be honoured.

He added that the government is seeking to expand mining-based industries through partnerships with local and international investors, alongside regulatory and institutional reforms aimed at attracting investment.

Badawy also pointed to a phosphoric acid project in the New Valley and a fertiliser complex in Ain Sokhna, signed recently in the presence of Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly, as key elements of the strategy.

He said efforts are also underway to strengthen training programmes for mining workers and to accelerate plans for a mining school in the New Valley.