Chinalco

Uganda
Kampala hopes to capitalise on US-China race for graphite and rare earths

The Ugandan government plans to take advantage of Beijing and Washington's appetite for energy transition minerals to consolidate its mining industry, which is still in its infancy in these sectors.

Guinea
China and US groups battle for Trans-Guinean contract

A Chinese and a US firm have both positioned themselves respectively on a major contract for the signalling and supply of locomotives for the future Trans-Guinean railway. The French giant Alstom is also taking a quiet interest in the project.

Guinea
Rio Tinto puts finishing touches to Simandou mining project

The UK-Australian giant has been busy selecting subcontractors and discussing the sale price of iron with its Chinese buyers as it awaits its partner Chinalco's financial commitment to the project, hopefully in March. Rio Tinto has also been in talks with the Guinean junta.

Guinea
Bauxite: Chalco under pressure to restart production in Boffa

Three ministers travelled to Boffa in mid-November to try and resolve the dispute between the Chinese group's local subsidiary, its employees and local communities. Production stopped at the site on 23 October and the government wants it restarted urgently.

Guinea
Rio Tinto set to hire PR firm Concerto

Mid-February, Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto brought on French PR agency Concerto to promote its joint venture with Simfer with potential financial backers, the Guinean government, and the general population.

Spotlight | Guinea
The $500m stand-off developing over Simandou

The two consortia involved in the Simandou iron ore project seem to be reluctant to pledge the $500m sought by the construction groups to restart the rail construction work that was stopped in 2022. These uncertainties are fuelling renewed tensions.

Guinea
Rio Tinto seeks UN support at Simandou

Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto just approached UN Capital Development Fund for help developping projects for the local population around the enormous Simandou iron deposit in Guinea.

The New Guard
Ivory Coast, Guinea, Sudan, Zimbabwe

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence reveals the next generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

Ivory Coast Cédric Diarra, the PM's special adviser

Guinea Baba Hady Thiam, darling of the multinationals

Sudan Fintech and Abdigani Diriye's free banking services app

Zimbabwe Ndlovu, head of African Risk Capacity

Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria
Brown Rudnick recruits African energy specialist James Douglass

The law firm has brought in a specialist in financing and energy contracts with ready access to a flourishing network across West and Southern Africa.

Guinea
Beijing triggers new dynamic at Simandou

The creation of Beijing's new iron ore purchasing arm, China Mineral Resources Group, led by Baowu Steel executives, is likely to entail changes for Chinese state firms involved in the two consortiums that own the colossal Guinean deposit.

Guinea
Rio Tinto focuses on local content and ESG for Simandou

In the ongoing negotiations over the Simandou iron ore project, Conakry is primarily focused on infrastructure for the mine. One company developing the deposit, Rio Tinto, is however pushing to make progress on other fronts.

Guinea
Put on notice by Doumbouya, Rio Tinto negotiates next move in Simandou iron

The Conakry authorities' order to the Simandou operators to suspend all activity on the ground until the details of the project's progress have been clarified comes as Rio Tinto is in the process of recruiting and conducting studies on the Guinean iron ore project.

Guinea
Artelia to handle environmental and social studies for WCS' Simandou iron ore project

French engineering firm Artelia, which already completed an ESIA for Winning Consortium Simandou, owner of blocks 1 and 2 of the Simandou iron ore project, should soon take on new responsibilities.

Guinea, Liberia
Guinea and Liberia iron ore rail projects suffer setbacks

Guinean president Mamady Doumbouya has ordered a review of the rail and port infrastructure plans associated with the Simandou iron ore project, thereby delaying the start of the railway's construction. Liberia is also taking another look at plans for ArcelorMittal's rail line to transport ore through its territory.