"New African Mining Powerhouses Emerge Amid Global Scramble For Resources"

" New African Mining Powerhouses Emerge Amid Global Scramble For Resources \r\n\r\n New players are emerging in Africa's mining sector as global demand for critical minerals soars. These nations are pushing for and securing new deals that, if well-harnessed, can play a role in the transformation of their resource economies. \r\n\r\n Bonface Orucho, bird story agency \r\n\r\nAfrica's mining sector continues to attract global players, with an increasing number of African nations securing high-stakes deals for critical minerals.\r\n\r\nA new report by the Africa Policy Research Institute, on January 20, highlights a growing number of bilateral agreements \u2014 ranging from strategic partnerships to cooperation agreements \u2014 that have been established with African states to secure mineral access, promote joint ventures, and integrate mineral value chains.\r\n\r\nBetween 2019 and 2023, 43 national critical minerals strategies were adopted worldwide, according to the IEA. African nations are leveraging these strategies when selecting mineral partners.\r\n\r\n\u201cWhile some agreements emphasise direct state cooperation, others focus on fostering an enabling environment for private sector investment \u2014 a strategy that may yield slower tangible results but ensures long-term sustainability\u201d the report notes.\r\n\r\nAmong African nations, South Africa, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) have secured the highest number of deal agreements, each committing to at least six multilateral, bilateral, or state-to-state partnerships.\r\n\r\nWhile traditionally, deals in Africa's mineral supply have focused on a select few countries, however, such as South Africa, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the tide is changing. Agreements now span a broader range of nations as emerging players increase their bets on the sector.\r\n\r\nLiberia, for example, expects to attract US$3 billion in new investment including from the mining and extractive sectors, after it identified new mineral resources from studies conducted over five decades, according to President Joseph Boakai.\r\n\r\nIn his latest State of the Nation Address on January 27, 2025, Boakai emphasised Liberia\u2019s vast mining potential, with confirmed reserves of iron ore, lithium, cobalt, uranium, and more \u2014 key resources that can drive economic growth.\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\n\u201cWe have engaged domestic and international investors\u2026 We are actively negotiating with major multinational companies in energy, mining, agriculture, infrastructure, and technology,\u201d he pointed out during the address.\r\n\r\nMining already plays a significant role in Liberia, contributing up to 15% of GDP. The African Development Bank notes that 2021 marked the year Liberia achieved an all-time high value from the sector, with revenues in excess of US$660 million.\r\n\r\nThe sector has been a global focal point in large part because of the exponential rise in demand caused by the global green energy and digital transitions. The International Energy Agency projects that the demand for critical minerals alone will increase sixfold by 2050, with their market value reaching US$400 billion, exceeding the value of all the coal extracted in 2020 globally.\r\n\r\nSecurity concerns stemming from shifting geopolitical tensions, the potential for supply chain disruptions and the concentration of refining capabilities in China, have all become focus points. Africa\u2019s rich mineral endowment is now garnering considerable attention.\r\n\r\nCountries worldwide are increasingly viewing their critical mineral supply chains not just in terms of global competitiveness or even the global responsibility to decarbonise but as an issue affecting national security. African leaders are taking note.\r\n\r\n\u201cMany African leaders actively shape these agreements, selectively engaging with offers and strategically rejecting certain initiatives in favour of others that better align with their national and regional interests,\u201d the report explained.\r\n\r\nLiberia\u2019s growing rise into a key player in the mineral sector reflects a broader African trend. Countries like Namibia, Rwanda, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe are also making strategic moves to leverage their mineral resources.\r\n\r\nIn Namibia, Bezant Resources secured N$13 million (over US$600,000) for its Hope & Gorob copper-gold project. Trigon Metals\u2019 Kalahari Copper Project was also recently chosen for the \u20ac5 million UNDERCOVER research project by the EU.\r\n\r\nIn Zimbabwe, Kavango Resources recently raised \u00a310 million (US$13 million) for its gold projects, wihile early in January 2025, Premier African Minerals raised \u00a34.7 million (US$5 million) to advance its Zulu Lithium and Tantalum Project, aiding in the restart of full-scale operations at the Zulu Mine.\r\n\r\nHowever, even as these deals take shape, the APRI report highlights a gap in transparency. Many agreements remain vague and non-binding, requiring additional financial incentives, like preferential financing, to attract investment.\r\n\r\nNevertheless, twelve major global players have actively sought collaborations with African countries in the recent past, according to the report. These include the UK, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Russia, India, China, South Korea, Japan, Indonesia, the US, and the EU.\r\n\r\nChina has long dominated Africa\u2019s mining sector, and remains the largest investor in critical minerals, controlling significant hubs such as cobalt and copper operations in DRC and Zambia.\r\n\r\nHowever, new foreign players like the UAE are gaining ground by securing high-profile acquisitions. One UAE acquisition is International Resource Holdings\u2019 US$1.1 billion stake in Zambia\u2019s Mopani Copper Mines.\r\n\r\nMopani Copper Mines, one of Zambia\u2019s largest copper producers, plays a significant role in the country\u2019s mining sector. In 2024, Zambia\u2019s copper production surged by 12%, rising from 732,580 metric tons in 2023 to approximately 820,670 metric tons, according to government data.\r\n\r\nMopani Copper Mines has boosted output by 32% under the management of International Resources Holding RSC Ltd. of Abu Dhabi, which acquired a majority stake at the end of 2023, and is targeting a production milestone of 150,000 tons in 2025, according to mining.com.\r\n\r\nThis acquisition is just one of many Emirati-backed deals shaping Africa\u2019s minerals sector a sign of the Gulf\u2019s increasing interest in investing in Africa, beyond infrastructure and logistics.\r\n\r\n bird story agency "

"New African Mining Powerhouses Emerge Amid Global Scramble For Resources"

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