PHNOM PENH: Cambodia’s gold mining sector is increasingly emerging as a new source of national revenue, with the country producing approximately 18 tonnes of gold between 2021 and 2025 from mining operations located in Preah Vihear, Kampong Thom, Mondulkiri, Rattanakiri, Kratie, and Battambang provinces, according to the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
Highlighting the sector’s growing contribution, Cambodia hosted its first-ever Mineral Products Expo 2026, on Feb. 14–15 at the Techo Meas-Techo Yort Statue Square, opposite Ounalom Pagoda along the Chaktomuk Walk Street in Phnom Pen. The exhibition brings together 21 ministries, institutions, associations, mining companies, and enterprises, showcasing their products across 31 exhibition booths.
All mineral products on display are processed from Cambodia’s domestic mineral resources, aimed at meeting local market demand, reducing reliance on imports, and expanding exports to selected international markets. Notably, since 2023 Cambodia has transitioned from importing 100 percent of its cement to fully meeting domestic demand and becoming a cement-exporting country for the first time.
To date, total investment in the mining sector has reached approximately US$ 2.89 billion, creating around 12,130 direct jobs. Of these, Cambodian nationals account for 11,547 positions, representing about 95 percent of the workforce. Non-tax revenue generated from the mining sector has also risen significantly, increasing from US$13.10 million in 2016 to US$135.55 million in 2025.