Egypt’s Minister of Industry Khaled Hashem held talks with a delegation from DrasChem Specialized Chemicals, led by CEO Mohamed Abdel Aziz, to discuss plans to establish and operate the first sodium cyanide and derivatives production plant in Egypt and the Middle East. The project aims to localise advanced industrial technologies, with the company’s capital estimated at $10m, while total investments are projected to reach around $200m. Hashem described the sodium cyanide plant as a pioneering step for Egypt in advanced manufacturing across the Middle East and Africa, reflecting the state’s strategy to localise technology, strengthen domestic industry and open new opportunities for specialised exports. For his part, Abdel Aziz said the project would mark the first facility of its kind in Egypt, Africa and the Middle East to produce sodium cyanide and its derivatives. He explained that sodium cyanide is a critical industrial input widely used in sectors such as precious metals mining, including gold and silver, as well as pharmaceutical and agricultural industries, particularly in pesticide manufacturing.

Source: Daily News Egypt March 14, 2026 18:34 UTC