Mineral Industry in Egypt-Part I: Metallic Mineral Commodities

Abdel-Zaher M. Abouzeid, Abdel-Aziz M. Khalid

.

DOI: 10.4236/nr.2011.21006                

Abstract

This The mineral potential in Egypt is quite high. Almost all sorts of industrial minerals such as metallic and non-metallic commodities exist in commercial amounts. However, Egypt imports many of the mineral commodities needed for the local mineral industries. The main reason for this is that the investors, either the governmental or the private sectors, refrain from investing into the mineral industry for prospecting, evaluation, and developing the mining and mineral processing technologies. This is because the return on investment in the mining industry is generally low and the pay back period is relatively long compared with easy-to-get money projects. Another reason is the disarray of the mining laws and regulations and lack of administrative capability to deal with domestic and international investors and solve the related problems. Also, lack of skilled personnel in the field of mining and mineral processing is an additional factor for the set back of the mining industry in Egypt. This is why the mining technology in Egypt is not very far from being primitive and extremely simple, with the exception of the underground mining of coal, North of Sinai, and Abu-Tartur phosphate mining, where fully automated long wall operations are designed. Also, the recent gold and tin-tantalum-niobium projects are being designed on modern surface mining and mineral processing technologies. The present review presents an overview of the most important metallic mineral commodities in Egypt, their geological background, reserves and production rates. A brief mention of the existing technologies for their exploitation is also highlighted.

Keywords

Egypt Mineral Resources; Geological Aspects; Mining; Mineral Processing; Metallic Ores; Mineral Industry Investments

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]	M. A., Ghonaim, “Present and Future of the Mining Industry in Egypt,” Egyptian Geological Society, Vol. 17, 1978, pp. 35-46.
[2]	A.-Z. M. Abouzeid, “Maximization of Added Value in Mineral Processing,” 9th International Mining, Petroleum, and Metallurgical Conference, Cairo University, Cairo. February 2005, pp. 135-156.
[3]	R. Said, “The geology of Egypt,” Tay-lor and Francis Publishers, London, 1990.
[4]	A. Richter, “Geologie der Metamorphen und Magmatischen Gesteine in Gebiet Zwischen Gebel Uwaynat und Gebel Kamel, SW Agyp-ten, NW Sudan,” Berl. Geowiss. Agh, Vol. 73, 1986, pp. 1-201.
[5]	A. Richter and H. Schandelmeier, “Precambrian Basement Inliers of Western Desert, Geology, Petrology, and Structural Evolution,” In: R. Said, Ed., Geology of Egypt, Tay-lor and Francis, 1990, pp. 185-250.
[6]	EGPC and CONOCO, “Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation and CONOCO,” A geological map of Egypt, 1987.
[7]	G. Naim, A. M. Khalid, G. M. Said, S. Shaaban, A. Hussein and M. El Kady, “Banded Iron Formation Discovery at West Gabal Kamel and Its Gold Potentiality, Western Desert,” Annals of the Geological Survey of Egypt, Vol. 21, 1998, pp. 303-330.
[8]	J. Klerkx, “Age and Metamorphic Evolution of the Basement Complex around Gabal Aluwaynat,” In: M. J. Salem and M. T. Busserawil, Eds., The Geology of Libya, Academic Press, London, 1980, pp. 901-906.
[9]	M. Sultan, Z. El Alfy and K. Tucker, “U-Pb (Zircon) Ages from the Uweinat Area,” Abstracts of centennial of EGSMA, Cairo, 1996.
[10]	A. O. Abu Salem, “Geology and Mineralogy of the Basement Rocks of West Gabal Kamel area,” M.Sc.Thesis, Al Azhr University, 2003, p. 90.
[11]	M. Khattab, O. R. Greiling, A. M. Khalid, M. Said, A. Kontany, A. Abu Salem, et al. “Uwaynat Banded Iron Formation (SW Egypt) Distribution and Related Gold Miner-alization,” Annals of the Geological Survey of Egypt, Vol. 25, 2002, pp. 343-364.
[12]	M. F. Abdel Fattah, “Petrological and Geochemical Studies on the Basement Rocks of Northeast Gabal Uwaynat Area, Western Desert, Egypt,” 2005, PhD The-sis Suez Canal University, p. 245.
[13]	D. B. Stoeser and V. F. Camp, “Pan African micro plate accretion of the Arabian shield,” Geological Society of America Bulletin, Vol. 96, 1985, pp. 817-826. doi:10.1130/0016-7606(1985)96<817:PMAOTA>2.0.CO;2
[14]	A. Kroner, R. Greiling, T. Reischamann, I. R. Hussein, R. Stern, S. Durr, et al, “Pan African Crustal Evolution in the Nubian Segment of Southeast Africa,” In: A. Kroner A. Ed., Proterozoic Litho-sphere Evolution, American Geophysical Union, Geodynamic series, Washington D.C. Vol. 17, 1987, pp. 1611-1634.
[15]	M. A., El Sharkawy, R., El Bayoumi. The ophio-lites of Wadi Ghadir Area, Eastern Desert, Egypt. Annal. Geol. Surv. Egypt. 1979; 9: 125-135.
[16]	M. G., Abdel Salam, R. J., Stern, Suture and shear zones in the Arabian-Nubian Shield. Jour. of African Earth Science. 1996; 31: 289-310.
[17]	A. A. Abdel Meguid, “Late Proterozoic Pan African Tectonic Evolu-tion of the Egyptian Part of the Arabian-Nubian Shield,” Mid-dle East Research Centre, Ain Shams University, Vol. 6, 1992, pp. 13-28.
[18]	N. Sturchio, M. Sultan, P. Sylvester, R. Batiza, C. Hedge and A. A. Abdel Maguid, “Geology, Age, and Origin of Meatiq Dome: Implications for the Precambrian Stratigraphy and Tectonic Evolution of the Eastern Desert of Egypt,” Fac. Earth Sc. Bull., King AbdulAziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Vol. 6, 1983, pp. 127-143.
[19]	A. A. Hussein, M. Ali and M. F. El Ramly, “A Proposed New Classification of the Granites of Egypt,” Journal of Volcanology and Geothermal Research, Vol. 14, 1982, pp. 187-198. doi:10.1016/0377-0273(82)90048-8
[20]	E. M. El Shazly, T. H. Dixon, A. E. J. Engel, A. A. Abdel Meguid and R. J. Stern, “Late Precambrian Crustal Evolution of Afro-Arabia from Oceanic arc to Craton, Egypt,” The Journal of Geology, Vol. 24, No. 14, 1980, pp. 101-121.
[21]	B. Grothous, D. Eppler and R. Ehrlich, “Deposi-tional Environment and Structural Implications of the Ham-mamat formation, Egypt,” Annal of Geological Survey of Egypt, Vol. 9, 1979, pp. 564-590.
[22]	M. F. El Ramly and A. A. Hussein, “The Ring Complex of the Eastern Desert of Egypt,” The Journal of African Earth Sciences, Vol. 3, 1985, pp. 77-82. doi:10.1016/0899-5362(85)90024-7
[23]	B. Issawi, M. El Hi-nawi, M. Francis and A. Mazhar, “The Phanerozoic Geology of Egypt, A geodynamic Approach,” Geological Survey of Egypt, 1999, p. 76.
[24]	L. L. Sloss, “Global Sea Level changes: A View from the Craton,” Geological and Geophysical Investiga-tions of Continental Margins, A. A. P. G. Memorial, Vol. 29, 1979, pp. 461-467.
[25]	F. B. Van Houten, “Latest Jurassic-Early Cretaceous Regressive Facies,” In: A. A. Craton and P. G. Bull, Eds., Northeast Africa, Vol. 64, 1980, pp. 857-867.
[26]	J. Ball, “Contribution to the Geography of Egypt,” Geological Survey of Egypt, 1952, p. 308.
[27]	A.-Z. M. Abouzeid and M. A. El Wgeeh, “Mineral Industry in Egypt-State of the Art,” 11th International Mineral Processing Sym-posium, Belek, Antalya, Turkey. 2008, pp. 1-27.
[28]	G. Ko-chine and F. A. Bassyuni, “Mineral Resources of the UAR, Part I, Metallic Minerals,” Internal Report No. 18/19/68, Geological Survey of Egypt, 1968, p. 35.
[29]	A. S. Amin, “Geological Features of Some Mineral Deposits in Egypt,” Bulletin De In-stitute du Desert, Egypt, Vol. 1, 1955, pp. 208-239.
[30]	E. M. El Shazly, “Classification of Egyptian Mineral Deposits,” Egyptian Journal of Geology, Vol. 1, No. 1, 1957, pp. 1-20.
[31]	T. G. Ivanov, I. Shalaby and A. A. Hussein, “Metal-logeneic Characteristics of South Eastern Desert, Egypt,” Annal of Geological Survey of Egypt, Vol. 3, 1973, pp. 139-166.
[32]	A. Hussein, “Mineral Deposits,” In: R. Said, Ed., The Geology of Egypt, Taylor and Francis Publishers, London, 1990, pp. 511-566.
[33]	M. S. Garson and I. Shalaby, “Pre-cambrian Lower Paleozoic Plate Tectonics and Metallogenesis in Red Sea Region,” The Geological Association of Canada, Special Issue, 1976, pp. 537-596.
[34]	N. S. Botros and A. M. Noor, “Mineral Deposits in the Eastern Desert of Egypt, an Expression of two Major Episodes with Distinct Magmatic and Tectonic Characteristics, Annal of Geological Survey of Egypt, Vol. 30, 2008, pp. 249-274.
[35]	W. W. Ghobrial, “Iron Ores in Egypt,” Personal Contact, 2008.
[36]	W. W., Ghobrial, “Lead and zinc in Egypt,” Personal Contact, 2008.
[37]	W. W. Ghobrial, “Developing of Mineral Resources in Egypt,” Per-sonal Contact, 2008.
[38]	A. M. Khalid and A. A. Diaf, “Geo-logical and Geochemical Exploration for Gold and REE at Ja-bal Nazar and Jabal Arkenu, Egypt-Libya,” Proceedings of Geological Survey, Egypt, 1996, pp. 425-446.
[39]	A. M. Khalid, O. R. Greiling, M. M. Said, A. Megahed, G. Shaaban, M. Micheal, et al., “South Western Desert BIF. Laboratory Studies and Gold Extraction Tests,” Annal of Geological Sur-vey of Egypt, Vol. 25, 2002, pp. 315-332.
[40]	M. A. Hassan, “Black Sands Project,” A Briefing to the Egyptian Association for Mining and Petroleum, Nuclear Material Authority, Cairo. June 12 2003, p. 21.
[41]	G. Naim, E. T. El Melegy and A. El Azab, “Black Sand Assessment,” The Egyptian Geological Survey, 1993, p. 67.
[42]	Hunting Geophysical Co. Geology of Al Uwaynat, East. Libya, IRC Tripoli. Internal Report, 1974, p. 190.
[43]	N. Sh. Botros, “Geological and Geochemical Studies on Some Gold Occurrences in the North Eastern Desert,” Ph.D. Thesis, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt. 1991, p. 146.
[44]	A. Dardir and K. El Chimi, “Geology and Geo-chemical Exploration for Gold in the Banded Iron Formation of Um Nar Area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt,” Annal of Geo-logical Survey of Egypt, Vol. 18, 1992, pp. 103-111.
[45]	M. F. El Ramly, M. K. Akaad and A. H. Rasmy, “Geology and Struc-ture of Um Nar Iron Deposit,” Special Paper, No. 28, Geologi-cal Survey .Egypt, 1963, p. 29.
[46]	P. K. Sims and H. James, “Banded Iron Formation of Late Proterozoic Age in the Central Eastern Desert of Egypt, Geology and Tectonic Setting,” Eco-nomic Geology, Vol. 79, 1984, pp. 1777-1784. doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.79.8.1777
[47]	A. El Dougdoug, M. F. Awadallah and Z. Hamimi, Textural Relations in the Banded Iron Formation Facies of Gebel El Hadid Area, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt,” Annal of Geological Survey of Egypt, Vol. 15, 1985, pp. 31-44.
[48]	M. Said, A. M. Khalid, M. El Kady, A. Abu Salem and S. Ibrahim, “On the Structural Evolution of Banded Iron Formation of Gabal Kamel and Its Role in the Gold Mineralization,” Annal of Geological Survey of Egypt, Vol. 21, 1998, pp. 345-352.
[49]	D. D. Klemm, “The Forma-tion of Paleoproterozoic Banded Iron Formation and Their As-sociate Fe and Mn Deposits with Reference to Griqualand West Deposits, South Africa,” The Journal of African Earth Sci-ences, Vol. 30, No. 1, 2000, pp. 1-24. doi:10.1016/S0899-5362(00)00005-1
[50]	E. Basta and H. Amer, “El Gidida Iron Ores and Their Origin, Bahariya Oases, Egypt,” Economic Geology, Vol. 64, 1969, pp. 424-444. doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.64.4.424
[51]	A. A. El Bassyony, “Ge-ology of the Area between Gara El Hamra, Ghard El Moharik and El Harra Area, Bahariya Oases, Egypt,” M. Sc. Thesis, Cairo University. 1970, p. 98.
[52]	A. A. El Bassyony, “Geo-logical Setting and Origin of El Harra Iron Ores, Bahariya Oa-ses, Western Desert, Egypt,” Annal of Geological Survey of Egypt, Vol. 23, 2000, pp. 213-222.
[53]	S. Akaad and B. Is-sawi, “Geology and Iron Deposits of Bahayria Oasis,” The Egyptian Geological Survey, No. 18, 1963, p. 300.
[54]	M. A. El Sharkawy, M. A. Higazi and M. A. Khalil, “Three Probable Genetic Types of Iron Ore at El Gadida Mine, Western Desert,” Egyptian Journal of Geology, Vol. 31, 1987, pp. 1-2.
[55]	M. M. El Aref and Z. Lotfi, “Genetic Karst Significance of the Iron Ore Deposits of El Bahariya Oases, Western Desert,” Annal of Geological Survey of Egypt, Vol. 15, 1985, pp. 1-30.
[56]	M. A. Khalil, “Geological and Mineralogical Studies on the North-eastern Part of El Bahariya Oases, Western Desert, Egypt,” Ph. D. Thesis. Al Azhar University. 1995, p. 237.
[57]	E. M. El Shazly and A. A. Hassan, “The Results of Drilling in the Iron Ore Deposit of Ghorabi, Bahariya Oases, Western Desert,” Survey Depart, 1962, p. 41..
[58]	D. Neev, K. J. Hall and M. J. Saul, “The Pelasium Megashear System across Africa and As-sociated Lineament Swarms,” Journal of Geophysical Re-search, Vol. 87, No. B2, 1982, pp. 1015-1030. doi:10.1029/JB087iB02p01015
[59]	B. Issawi, “Geology of the South Western Desert of Egypt,” Annal of Geological Sur-vey of Egypt, Vol. 11, 1981, pp. 57-66.
[60]	M. I. Attia, “To-pography, Geology, and Iron Ore of the District East of As-wan,” The Egyptian Geological Survey, 1955, p. 262.
[61]	EISC, Egyptian Iron and Steel Co. Projected Plan for 2007/2008. 2007, p. 39.
[62]	M. A. Khalid, M. M. Said, A. El Naggar and N. Moselhy, “Geological and Geochemical Explo-ration at Gabal Kulyeit and Its Environs, South Eastern Desert, Egypt,” Annal of Geological Survey of Egypt, Vol. 23, 2000, pp. 223-233.
[63]	Kh. Oweiss and A. M. Khalid, “Geochemi-cal Prospecting at Um Qareiyat Gold Deposit, South Eastern Desert, Egypt,” Annal of Geological Survey of Egypt, Vol. 17, 1991, pp. 145-151.
[64]	A. M. Khalid and Kh. Oweiss, “Re-sults of Mineral Exploration Programs in South Eastern Sinai, Egypt,” Annal of Geological Survey of Egypt, Vol. 20, 1995, pp. 207-220.
[65]	A. M. Khalid and Kh. Oweiss, “Geochemi-cal Exploration for Gold at Wadi Kid Area, Southern Sinai, Egypt,” Annal of Geological Survey of Egypt, Vol. 20, 1995, pp. 333-342.
[66]	B. B. Nasr, M. S. Masoud, H. El Sherbini and A. Makhlouf, “Some New Occurrences of Gold Minerali-zation, Eastern Desert, Egypt,” Annal of Geological Survey of Egypt, Vol. 21, 1998, pp. 331-344.
[67]	I. Khalaf and Kh. Oweiss, “Gold Prospection in the Environs of Sukkari Gold Mine, Central Eastern Desert,” Annal of Geological Survey of Egypt, Vol. 23, 1993, pp. 223-233.
[68]	M. F. El Ramly, S. S. Ivanov and G. G. Kochin, “Studies on Some Mineral Deposits of Egypt, Part I, Section A, Article 3, Tin-Tungsten Mineraliza-tion, Eastern Desert, Egypt,” The Egyptian Geological Survey, 1970, pp. 120-145.
[69]	M. F. El Ramly, S. S. Ivanov and G. G. Kochin, “The Occurrence of Gold in the Eastern Desert of Egypt,” In: O. Moharm et al. Eds., Studies on Some Mineral Deposits of Egypt, The Egyptian Geological Survey, 1970, pp. 53-64.
[70]	N. Sh. Botros, “A New Classification of the Gold Deposits of Egypt,” The Journal of African Earth Sciences, Ore Geology Review, Vol. 4, No. 2, 2004, pp. 1-35.
[71]	EGSMA, “Egyptian Geological Survey and Mining Authority, Egypt,” Results of Prospecting and Provisory Work for Gold at Bar-ramiya, Sukkary, Um Nar Prospects, Internal Report No. 19/77, 1977.
[72]	EGSMA, “Egyptian Survey and Mining Authority, Egypt,” Results of Prospecting and Evaluation Carried out at the Eastern Flank of the Barramiya Gold Ore Deposit in 1976-1977, Internal Report No. 16/78, 1978.
[73]	EMRA, “Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority,” Results of 2006 1st Interna-tional Bid Round for Gold Exploration and Exploitation in Egypt, Egypt, 2006.
[74]	A. H. Sabet, V. B. Tsogoev, L. M. Baburin, A. Riad, A. Zakhari and L. Armanious, “Geologic Structure and Laws of Localization of Tantlum Mineralization at Neweibi Deposit,” Annal of Geological Survey of Egypt, Vol. 6, 1976, pp. 119-156.
[75]	Anonymous, “Egyptian Tin and Tantalum,” Mining Magazine, October 2004.
[76]	G. M. Naim, A. T. El Melegy and Kh. Soliman, “Tantalum-Niobium-Tin Mineralization in Central Eastern Desert, Egypt, a Re-view,” Proceedings of Geological Survey, 1996, pp. 599-622.
[77]	H. Sadek, “Report on Igla Tin Deposit, Eastern De-sert. Mines and Quarries Depart,” Internal Report, Cairo, Egypt, 1944.
[78]	T. Anwar, M. A. Morsy, A. I. Arslan and M. A. El Maky, “Estimation of the Probable Geological Reserve of Tin in the Igla Area, Eastern Desert, Egypt,” Arab Mining and Petroleum Association Conference, Ismalia, Egypt, 1983, p. 39.
[79]	Gippsland Limited, “Tantalum Industry Overview,” 2005, Annual Report, p. 58.
[80]	Gippsland Limited, Annual Report, 2005, p. 55.
[81]	A. Makhlouf, N. Y. Beniamin, M. M. Mansour, S. A. Mansour and H. El Sherbini, “Mafic-Ultra Ma-fic Intrusion of South Korabkanci Area with Emphasis on Ti-tanomagnetite Ores, South Eastern Desert, Egypt,” Annal of Geological Survey of Egypt, Vol. 30, 2008, pp. 1-20.
[82]	El Nasr Mining Co. Monetary Status for Plan for 2006/2007, 2007.
[83]	M. I. Attia, “Manganese deposits of Egypt,” The 20th International Geological Congress, Mexico, 1956, pp. 143-171.
[84]	S. Mart and E. Sass, “Geology and Origin of Manganese Ore of Um Bogma, Sinai,” Economic Geology, Vol. 67, 1972, pp. 145-155. doi:10.2113/gsecongeo.67.2.145
[85]	E. Z. Basta and G. S. Saleeb, “Elba Manganese Ore and Their Origin, South Eastern Desert, Egypt,” Mineralogical Magazine, Vol. 38, 1971, pp. 235-244. doi:10.1180/minmag.1971.038.294.13
[86]	ESAC, “Egyptian Steel Alloys Co. Projected Plan for 2007-2008,” 2007, pp. 1-46.
[87]	E. M. El Shazly, A. Mansour, M. S. Afia and M. G. Ghobrial, “Miocene Lead and Zinc Deposits in Egypt,” 20th International Geological Congress, Mexico, 1959, pp. 119-134.
[88]	M. E. Hilmy, F. M. Nakhla and M. Ramsy, “Contri-bution to the Mineralogy, Geochemistry, and Genesis of the Miocene Pb-Zn Deposits in Egypt,” Chemie der Erde, Vol. 31, 1972, pp. 373-390.
[89]	M. M. El Aref and C. C. Amstutz, “Lead-Zinc Deposits along the Red Sea Coast of Egypt,” Monograph Series on Mineral Deposits, Gebruder Bornt Rae-ger, Stutgart, No. 21, 1983, p. 103.
[90]	M. E. Hilmy and M. Mohsen, “Secondary Copper Minerals from West Central Si-nai,” Egyptian Journal of Geology, Vol. 9, 1965, pp. 1-12.
[91]	A. A. Hussein, I. M. Shalaby, M. A. Gad and A. Rasmy, “On the origin of Zn-Cu-Pb Deposits at Um Smuki, Eastern Desert, Egypt,” 15th Annual Meeting, Geological Soci-ety, 1977.
[92]	D. L. Searle, G. S. Carter and I. M. Shalaby, “Mineral Exploration at Um Samuki,” U. N. Technical Report No. 36-76, Documentation Centre of Egyptian Geological Sur-vey, Egypt, 1976.