Egypt

The history of mining in Egypt dates back to ancient times, with evidence of gold mining found in the eastern desert near the Red Sea as early as the 4th millennium BCE. The Egyptians were known to extract gold, silver, copper, and iron ores through surface mining or by shafts and tunnels dug deep into the earth. The metal ores extracted were used for making various tools and objects, including jewelry and pottery. The pharaohs also used precious metals and minerals to enhance the aesthetic appeal of their palaces and temples, resulting in an abundance of precious artifacts that are now housed in major museums around the world.

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Throughout the centuries, mining in Egypt played a vital role in the country's economy, with mining communities developing in various regions of the country. In the modern era, Egypt has continued to rely on mining as an important source of revenue. The country is a major producer of phosphate rock, a key ingredient in fertilizer production, and it also has significant reserves of gold, silver, and other minerals. Today, Egypt's mining industry is regulated by the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, and the government has initiated several reforms in recent years to encourage investment in the sector and boost its contribution to the national economy.