Copper

Gabon, Morocco
Royal miner Managem bets on Gabon gold after troubled 2023

Moroccan miner Managem, a subsidiary of the Al Mada royal holding company, is hoping that Gabon’s subsoil will help it rebound from a troubled 2023 financial year that saw it suffer a 22% fall in sales and its activities still suspended in Somalia.

Morocco
Mining magnate Benoît La Salle targets big Moroccan copper find

The Canadian head of Aya Gold & Silver believes he can find a major copper deposit in Morocco by investing in exploration. He has been discussing his plans with other mining sector figures like Robert Friedland and Mark Bristow.

Botswana
China Minmetals invests heavily in Khoemacau copper mine

In March, the MMG subsidiary finalised its $1.73bn takeover of Cuprous Capital, owner of the Khoemacau copper mine in northern Botswana. This is the largest investment made by a Chinese company in the country.

DRC
Buenassa builds ties in US to raise funds for cobalt refinery

The Congolese company headed by Eddy Kioni and its partner in the project, Delphos investment fund, have met with several US institutions to raise financing for the $350m copper-cobalt smelter planned in the country's Lualaba province.

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.

Angola
Africa Global Logistics appoints new Lobito boss

Africa Global Logistics, which has signed the concession contract for the container and multipurpose terminal of Lobito Port, has taken on board African port expert David Reekmans.

Liberia
Facing numerous hurdles, miners Solway and HPX look to Joseph Boakai for help

The Swiss and US firms are hoping the newly installed president will clean up Liberia's mining sector. With Washington's backing, they are trying to undo the former administration's manœuvres and to build a rail corridor.

Angola, DRC
Ivanhoe Mines in pole position on Lobito corridor railway

Robert Friedland's group managed to transport its copper via the Angolan port of Lobito late last month. It has thus won its logistical gamble and is one step ahead of its competitors.

Angola
Ambassador-less China keeps close eye on Luanda

With Lourenço ostensibly seeking closer relations with Washington, Beijing has yet to appoint an ambassador in Luanda, six months after the departure of Gong Tao.

Zimbabwe
Government winding up ZMDC with bankruptcy the target

The government wants to transfer the last valuable assets of the state-owned mining company to the Mutapa sovereign wealth fund. The plan then is to declare the company bankrupt...

DRC
Ivanhoe loses legal battle against Vidiye Tshimanga

Canada’s Ivanhoe Mines is going to have to rein in its ambitions for Western Foreland after losing its appeal in Paris against Vidiye Tshimanga's firm.

Chad
Paris to fund further natural resource mapping

French geologists will be helping Chad to continue with its inventory of its mining potential, with mines minister Abdelkerim Mahamat hoping that new resources will be discovered.

The New Guard
South Africa, Angola, Zambia

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

South Africa Dire Tladi, first South African judge on ICJ

Angola Elisabete Dias dos Santos, AKA Betty the egg queen

Zambia Mfekiyi Makayi, a miner with an eye on AI

Botswana
Gaborone drafts new mining rules to boost local players

The Botswana government is drafting a revision of the mining act that offers new opportunities to domestic players. It will be presented to parliament by the end of 2023.