Egypt’s Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources has formally refuted rumors that Egypt had inked investment agreements to build 108 gold and precious metals mines in northern Sudan. The ministry declared that no such contracts, agreements, or strategic alliances had been made and called the allegations “completely false and unfounded”.
As stated by the ministry:
The remarks attributed to Petroleum Minister Karim Badawi in the online reports were not made by him.
Regarding the purported mining ventures in Sudan, neither the ministry nor any associated agency had made any announcements.
Only government-approved outlets are used to provide official information about mining and petroleum interests.
The ministry has the power to take legal action against people or groups who disseminate misleading information.
The denial coincides with increased focus on Sudan’s gold industry, which has grown in significance to the nation’s economy during the protracted conflict. The ministry stressed that there is no truth to the reported investment arrangement, nevertheless.
Egypt’s commitment to growing its own mining sector through reforms meant to draw in both domestic and foreign investment and boost the industry’s contribution to economic growth was also reaffirmed in the statement.
