Eurasian Group to Invest in Egyptian Mining Sector

Egyptian Minister of Petroleum Tarek El-Molla during his meeting with the delegation of the Eurasian Resources Group specialized in mining. (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
Egyptian Minister of Petroleum Tarek El-Molla during his meeting with the delegation of the Eurasian Resources Group specialized in mining. (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
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Eurasian Group to Invest in Egyptian Mining Sector

Egyptian Minister of Petroleum Tarek El-Molla during his meeting with the delegation of the Eurasian Resources Group specialized in mining. (Asharq Al-Awsat) 
Egyptian Minister of Petroleum Tarek El-Molla during his meeting with the delegation of the Eurasian Resources Group specialized in mining. (Asharq Al-Awsat) 

The Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) - which is specialized in mining - said that it seeks to expand in Egypt in the coming period amid ongoing developments and legislations in Egypt that are facilitating foreign firms’ operations in the country.

The Eurasian Resources Group specializes in mining, energy, transportation, and marketing operations in 16 countries worldwide. The Group uses the newest techniques in search and exploitation.

The history of the Eurasian Group goes back to 1994, when shareholders of the Company acquired the first asset in Kazakhstan. Since then, ERG has become one of the world’s leading diversified mining and smelting groups with fully integrated mining, processing, energy production, logistical and marketing operations, according to the website.

On the sidelines of Egypt Mining Forum 2023, the ERG officials expressed during their meeting with Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Tarek El Molla their interest in Egypt’s achievements in mining.

They revealed studies to kick off investments in the Egyptian market, given its promising opportunities.

Jonathan Cordiero, the head of the Development Sector at Eurasian Resources Group, said that he agreed with the minister on exploring further opportunities for cooperation and investment, aiming to benefit from the group's expertise, especially in maximizing the value of mineral resources and developing ongoing projects.

El Molla explained the developments and reforms that the mining sector has witnessed in Egypt, resulting in successful auctions attracting global investments and partnerships.

El Molla emphasized that the group's participation in the Egypt Mining Forum is an excellent opportunity to gain insight into the Egyptian market and explore the tangible reforms undertaken in the mining sector. It will also help identify potential areas for the group's investment, starting from participation in bids and extending to various services within the mining sector.

In parallel, heads and officials of the companies participating in the Forum stressed that Egypt is “on the right track” and has offered new incentives for investment in the mining sector.

During the session of the CEOs of major international companies working in gold mining in Egypt, to unleash the investment potential of the mining sector in the country, within the activities of the Egypt Mining Forum, Martin Horgan, Centamin CEO, said that Egypt has the necessary geological factors and expertise to achieve remarkable results in the mining sector, in addition to the infrastructure and human capacities.

Mark Campbell, Chairman & General Manager of Akh Gold Limited, lauded the unique geographic location of Egypt that permits it to attract more investments especially after the Egyptian minister of petroleum amended the mineral wealth law.



OPEC Again Cuts 2024, 2025 Oil Demand Growth Forecasts

The OPEC logo. Reuters
The OPEC logo. Reuters
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OPEC Again Cuts 2024, 2025 Oil Demand Growth Forecasts

The OPEC logo. Reuters
The OPEC logo. Reuters

OPEC cut its forecast for global oil demand growth this year and next on Tuesday, highlighting weakness in China, India and other regions, marking the producer group's fourth consecutive downward revision in the 2024 outlook.

The weaker outlook highlights the challenge facing OPEC+, which comprises the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies such as Russia, which earlier this month postponed a plan to start raising output in December against a backdrop of falling prices.

In a monthly report on Tuesday, OPEC said world oil demand would rise by 1.82 million barrels per day in 2024, down from growth of 1.93 million bpd forecast last month. Until August, OPEC had kept the outlook unchanged since its first forecast in July 2023.

In the report, OPEC also cut its 2025 global demand growth estimate to 1.54 million bpd from 1.64 million bpd, Reuters.

China accounted for the bulk of the 2024 downgrade. OPEC trimmed its Chinese growth forecast to 450,000 bpd from 580,000 bpd and said diesel use in September fell year-on-year for a seventh consecutive month.

"Diesel has been under pressure from a slowdown in construction amid weak manufacturing activity, combined with the ongoing deployment of LNG-fuelled trucks," OPEC said with reference to China.

Oil pared gains after the report was issued, with Brent crude trading below $73 a barrel.

Forecasts on the strength of demand growth in 2024 vary widely, partly due to differences over demand from China and the pace of the world's switch to cleaner fuels.

OPEC is still at the top of industry estimates and has a long way to go to match the International Energy Agency's far lower view.

The IEA, which represents industrialised countries, sees demand growth of 860,000 bpd in 2024. The agency is scheduled to update its figures on Thursday.

- OUTPUT RISES

OPEC+ has implemented a series of output cuts since late 2022 to support prices, most of which are in place until the end of 2025.

The group was to start unwinding the most recent layer of cuts of 2.2 million bpd from December but said on Nov. 3 it will delay the plan for a month, as weak demand and rising supply outside the group maintain downward pressure on the market.

OPEC's output is also rising, the report showed, with Libyan production rebounding after being cut by unrest. OPEC+ pumped 40.34 million bpd in October, up 215,000 bpd from September. Iraq cut output to 4.07 million bpd, closer to its 4 million bpd quota.

As well as Iraq, OPEC has named Russia and Kazakhstan as among the OPEC+ countries which pumped above quotas.

Russia's output edged up in October by 9,000 bpd to about 9.01 million bpd, OPEC said, slightly above its quota.