The tender offered 335 blocks covering around 650 square kilometers, including 261 blocks for gold exploration and 74 blocks for other mineral resources such as phosphate and kaolin, Badawi said at a press conference Thursday.
A preliminary probe found that a drone caused the fire involving two vessels at Damietta Port.
The minister reviewed the status of agreements signed to secure crude shipments from abroad.
Badawi said the platform will cover all stages related to mining investment opportunities, starting from expressions of interest, through evaluation and assessment procedures, and ending with the electronic issuance of all licenses.
According to the ministry, the first agreement reassigns the North Sinai Offshore area to Prenco Egypt, with planned investments of $46 million for drilling three wells, along with a $1 million signature bonus.
