Four Companies Win Egypt Bid Round for Glass, Kaolin Sand Exploration

Mineral Resources Bid Round No. 1 for 2024 concluded with positive results, attracting participation from 20 mining companies and 19 private-sector firms bidding to explore glass sand and kaolin deposits in the Eastern Desert.

The Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources announced that the bid winners were Alarabiya Mining Company (AMC) to explore in Sector No. (GS 1) for Glass Sand Ore; Sibelco Egypt Industrial Minerals in Sectors No. (GS 3) and (GS 4) for Glass Sand Ore; Pacific Mining in Sector No. (KS 1) for Kaolin Sand Ore; and the International Company for Petroleum and Industrial Services (Income) in Sectors No. (KS 2) and (KS 3) for Kaolin Sand Ore.

Glass sand, also known as silica sand or industrial sand, is a specialized type of sand primarily composed of silicon dioxide (silica), and it’s used in glassmaking due to its high silica content and low levels of impurities like iron oxide, chromium, and cobalt. Meanwhile, Kaolin sand, also known as kaolinite, is a versatile mineral with numerous industrial applications. It’s primarily used as a filler and coating in paper, a key ingredient in ceramics, and a component in paints, rubber, and plastics.

It is worth noting that Egypt’s kaolin sand ore production reached 230,787 tons between July 2024 and April 2025, according to data from the Ministry.