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Sulphur 420 Sep-Oct 2025

19 September 2025

Sino-Egyptian phosphate cooperation deal

EGYPT

Sino-Egyptian phosphate cooperation deal

Egypt’s Mineral Resources and Mining Industries Authority (MRMIA) has signed a memorandum of understanding with China’s Asia-Potash International Investment (Guangzhou) Co., Ltd. The MoU is designed to strengthen joint cooperation in exploring and assessing phosphate ore reserves. The objective is to maximise the added value of this crucial resource.

Karim Badawi, Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, says that this initiative aligns with the Ministry’s vision to develop the mining sector, aiming to increase its contribution to Egypt’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from less than 1% to 5-6% by attracting substantial investments, offering new opportunities, and implementing an integrated system to maximise the added value of mineral resources.

The MoU further aims to foster cooperation in scientific research for the exploration and confirmation of phosphate ore reserves, enrichment and processing operations, and studying the establishment of a modern plant for the production of phosphate fertilizers.

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Agreement signed with green ammonia developer

The government of Morocco has signed an agreement with the ORNX consortium to advance a $4.5 billion green ammonia project in the southern city of Laayoune, as part of Morocco’s ambitions to become a global hub for green hydrogen and derivatives. The development combine wind and solar electricity generation with hydrogen from electrolysis to feed green ammonia production. Under the terms of the agreement, more than 2 GW of renewable energy capacity will be installed, feeding 900 MW of electrolysers producing green hydrogen. To ensure operational stability and continuous output, the facility will also incorporate battery energy storage systems. In addition, a seawater desalination plant will be constructed to provide the purified water required for hydrogen production, addressing resource constraints in the arid coastal region. During its initial phase, the complex is expected to generate around 100,000 t/a of green hydrogen, which will allow the production of 560,000 t/a of green ammonia. The ammonia will be used both domestically in ammonium phosphate production as well as being exported internationally.