Egypt eyes gold rush with fresh exploration tender by March

Egypt will invite international gold-mining companies to take part in a new exploration tender after the North African country eased the rules to woo investors, according to a person familiar with the matter.

The tender will be announced by early March, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the information isn’t public.

Egypt, whose mineral wealth remains largely under-explored and undeveloped, is hoping that gold production can be a future source of growth for its economy, which is emerging from a sweeping International Monetary Fund-backed reform program.