The Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources has recently published reports detailing the available investment opportunities in several mineral deposits in various locations in Aqaba, southern Jordan. The aim is to open these areas to the private sector for exploration and investment.
اضافة اعلان
According to the ministry's announcement, these areas include Wadi Mubarak, Jabal Bir Tanek, Wadi Lebanon, and Wadi Amran in Aqaba. The ministry has published the results of studies conducted for each area, highlighting the key minerals and elements found in each region, as well as their potential and estimates. These studies also include important findings from previous research conducted to encourage private investors to explore these regions.
The ministry noted that in 1994, a regional geochemical survey was conducted on the basic igneous rocks in the southern part of the kingdom by the Geochemical Survey Department of the Natural Resources Authority (formerly) in cooperation with the French Geological Survey (BRGM).
Wadi Mubarak
The aim for Wadi Mubarak is to open the area for private sector exploration. The region was previously identified in a geochemical survey as containing signs of zinc and lead, along with high concentrations of niobium, tin, and rare earth elements.
The previous studies indicated that geological surveys involved collecting samples from stream sediments and heavy minerals in the Aqaba and Wadi Araba regions, which contain elements with higher concentrations than the natural average, known as geochemical anomalies. These included zinc, lead, copper, and other elements, suggesting the presence of mineralized areas. The study recommended continuing detailed exploration in these areas, including the proposed Wadi Mubarak region.
Jabal Bir Tanek
The ministry’s goal for opening Jabal Bir Tanek is to encourage private sector exploration. This area was previously identified through regional geochemical surveys as having significant anomalies indicating the presence of zinc and lead.
The 1994 survey included collecting samples from stream sediments and heavy minerals in the Aqaba and Wadi Araba areas. The results showed several areas with elements at concentrations higher than the natural average, indicating the presence of mineralized zones. These included zinc, lead, copper, and other elements.
Wadi Lebanon
Regarding Wadi Lebanon, the previous survey indicated several sites in the Aqaba and Wadi Araba regions containing elements at higher concentrations than the natural average, such as zinc, lead, copper, and other minerals, indicating the presence of mineralized areas. The study at the time recommended continuing exploration in these areas.
The project aims to open the area for private sector investments in exploration, as studies suggest the presence of base metals, rare earth elements, niobium, and high concentrations of gold.
Wadi Amran
According to ministry studies, the results indicate the presence of zinc and lead, along with high concentrations of copper, tin, niobium, and rare earth elements.
It is worth noting that the current year's budget allocated one million dinars for mineral exploration, compared to the previous year's estimate of 700 thousand dinars.
This comes at a time when the government is working to transform Jordan into a mining country by 2033, aiming to raise the mining sector’s contribution to the GDP to 2.1 billion dinars, up from approximately 700 million dinars currently. This sector is one of the key drivers outlined in the Economic Modernization Vision.
