Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Karim Badawi met with Chilean Ambassador Roberto Ebert and a delegation from ENAP Sipetrol in Cairo on August 24, 2025. The talks aimed to strengthen cooperation in oil, gas, and mining sectors, marking a new chapter in bilateral relations as Egypt seeks to tap Chile’s expertise in critical minerals like lithium and copper.
Key Discussions on Bilateral Relations
This meeting builds on nearly 100 years of diplomatic ties between Egypt and Chile. Badawi highlighted Egypt’s push to diversify its energy sources and ramp up exploration to cut import reliance.
Ambassador Ebert stressed the value of joint efforts to tackle shared economic challenges. Both sides agreed that deeper ties could bring mutual gains in energy and resource development.
The focus included ENAP Sipetrol’s current role in Egypt’s oil and gas fields. The company works closely with the Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation to boost output.
Advances in Oil and Gas Operations
ENAP Sipetrol has invested heavily in Egypt recently. In 2024, it committed 70 million dollars to the East Ras Qattara area for drilling four development wells and three exploration wells.
The company finished a seismic survey in the West Amer concession, costing 11.5 million dollars. This work moved up drilling plans from January 2026 to September 2025.
These steps aim to increase production and explore new reserves. Badawi praised the progress and urged more joint ventures to enhance Egypt’s energy security.
Egypt’s petroleum strategy also includes renewable projects to create a balanced energy mix. This aligns with global trends toward sustainable resources.
New Horizons in Mining Cooperation
For the first time, the talks explored mining partnerships. Egypt wants to learn from Chile’s top skills in extracting lithium and copper, key for batteries and tech.
Chile leads the world in lithium production, holding about 50 percent of global reserves. Its methods could help Egypt develop its own mineral resources efficiently.
Badawi expressed interest in building value chains for critical minerals. This could attract Chilean firms to invest in Egypt’s growing mining sector.
The improving investment climate in Egypt makes it appealing for foreign partners. Chile’s experience might speed up tech transfers and joint projects.
Here are some potential benefits of this mining tie-up:
- Access to advanced extraction tech for lithium and copper.
- Job creation in Egypt’s mining areas.
- Boost to Egypt’s export of processed minerals.
- Stronger supply chains for global clean energy needs.
Chile’s Global Mining Leadership
Chile produces over 5 million tons of copper yearly, making it a mining powerhouse. Its lithium output supports the electric vehicle boom, with demand expected to double by 2030.
ENAP Sipetrol shared insights on mining during the meeting. The delegation showed eagerness to partner on tech for mineral extraction in Egypt.
This comes as Egypt ramps up its mining reforms. Recent laws have opened doors for more foreign investment in gold, phosphates, and now critical minerals.
A quick look at Chile’s mining stats versus Egypt’s potential:
| Aspect | Chile | Egypt |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Copper Production | 5.7 million tons | Emerging, with focus on exploration |
| Lithium Reserves | 9.3 million tons | Untapped potential in deserts |
| Key Exports | Copper, lithium | Gold, phosphates |
| Global Rank | 1st in copper | Rising in Africa |
These figures show how Chile’s know-how could transform Egypt’s sector.
Future Plans and Invitations
The meeting ended with Ebert inviting Badawi to Chile’s National Day event in Cairo on September 17, 2025. This gesture signals ongoing commitment to closer ties.
Both nations plan to follow up on oil drilling and mining tech sharing. Experts predict this could lead to new agreements by late 2025.
Egypt’s broader energy goals include hitting 42 percent renewable share by 2030. Partnerships like this support that aim amid rising global demand for minerals.
As these talks progress, they could reshape regional energy dynamics. Readers, share your thoughts on this partnership in the comments and spread the word to keep the conversation going.
