Constance - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Written by Constance

Kibali Gold Mine Set for Long-Term Expansion as Barrick Confirms Major New Orebodies

July 4, 2025July 4, 2025 Constance

Barrick Gold (NYSE: GOLD) announced that recent drilling along the ARK-KCD corridor at its flagship Kibali mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has revealed significant new orebodies. These discoveries could extend the life of the Tier 1 asset well beyond its current 10-year production plan. Since commencing production in 2013, Kibali has successfully replaced every ounce of gold it has mined. Barrick noted that its total in-country investment has now exceeded $6.3 billion. Speaking to reporters, CEO Mark Bristow highlighted that a newly installed 16-megawatt solar-plus-battery plant has… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt

IXM Declares Force Majeure on Cobalt Contracts Amid Extended DRC Export Ban

July 3, 2025July 3, 2025 Constance

IXM, the metals trading arm of China’s CMOC Group, has declared force majeure on its cobalt supply contracts due to an ongoing export ban imposed by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the company announced on Monday. Earlier this month, the DRC government extended the export ban for an additional three months, citing efforts to address global cobalt oversupply and stabilize falling prices. The DRC, which produces over 80% of the world’s cobalt, first implemented the ban on February 22. The restriction is enforced by the country’s Authority for the… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Energy Green Energy

Zambia Launches 100 MW Solar Plant to Cut Imports and Power Mining Sector

July 3, 2025July 8, 2025 Constance

Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema on Monday inaugurated the country’s largest grid-connected solar power plant, the 100-megawatt Chisamba project, developed by PowerChina. The facility will supply electricity directly to First Quantum Minerals, one of Zambia’s largest copper producers. The project is expected to significantly reduce Zambia’s reliance on electricity imports from neighboring South Africa and Mozambique. By supplying power to the mining giant, the solar plant will also free up additional electricity capacity for local consumers. Zambia currently depends heavily on hydropower for its electricity needs. However, a prolonged drought has… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Battery Metals Cobalt Copper New Mining Projects

India Targets Critical Minerals in Zambia Amid Global Supply Concerns

July 3, 2025July 3, 2025 Constance

India has deployed a team of geologists to Zambia to explore deposits of copper and cobalt, two minerals critical to its clean energy transition, according to two Indian government sources. The Zambian government has allocated 9,000 square kilometers (approximately 3,475 square miles) to India for this exploration initiative. The focus will be on cobalt—a vital component in batteries for electric vehicles and mobile phones—and copper, which is widely used in power generation, electronics, and construction. The exploration project is expected to span three years, with most of the sample analysis… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Regional conflict

Unchecked Mineral Smuggling Fuels Conflict and Corruption in Eastern Congo

July 3, 2025July 3, 2025 Constance

Mineral smuggling from eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into neighboring Rwanda has reached unprecedented levels, driven by the occupation of vast areas by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, according to a forthcoming United Nations report. The illicit trade in tin, tantalum, and tungsten—vital minerals used in electronics—has severely undermined legal exports from the region. Once these minerals are trafficked into Rwanda, they are mixed with domestic production, effectively laundering them into global supply chains under the guise of legitimate Rwandan origin. This process compromises international efforts to trace mineral… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Economy Governance

President Tshisekedi Highlights US Mining Deal as Catalyst for Green Economy and National Growth

June 30, 2025June 30, 2025 Constance

On the 65th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s independence, President Félix Tshisekedi addressed the nation on Monday, June 30, 2025, reaffirming active negotiations with the United States to finalize a strategic mining agreement. The deal is set to strengthen the DRC’s position as a key player in the global energy transition and the emerging green economy. “This agreement will mark a decisive step in positioning the DRC as a central player in the global energy transition and the emerging green economy. It aims to develop our strategic minerals—particularly… Read More Here

Events & Expos

African Mining Week to Examine Merger & Acquisition Deals

June 30, 2025June 30, 2025 Constance

The upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) conference scheduled for October 1–3, 2025, in Cape Town – will spotlight how Merger & Acquisition (M&A) deals are propelling the continent’s copper industry forward. A power chat will take place, titled The Copper Scramble: How Mergers are Reshaping the Global Supply Chain. The session is expected to unpack the impact M&A deals have had and will continue to play on Africa’s copper industry, highlighting recent deals and investment opportunities across the market. Driven by the global energy transition and the demands of the… Read More Here

Events & Expos Mining in DRC

DRC’s Minister of Hydraulic Resources, Electricity Joins African Mining Week

June 30, 2025June 30, 2025 Constance

Teddy Lwamba, Minister of Hydraulic Resources and Electricity of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has confirmed his participation as a speaker at African Mining Week (AMW), taking place from October 1–3, 2025, in Cape Town under the theme, From Extraction to Beneficiation: Unlocking Africa’s Mineral Wealth. Minister Lwamba will join the panel, Powering Africa’s Mining Operations with Renewables, highlighting the DRC’s efforts to integrate renewable energy and modern infrastructure into its mining value chain. AMW serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Drilling New Mining Projects

Patriot Resources Begins Drilling at New Copper Prospect in Zambia

June 30, 2025June 30, 2025 Constance

Australian mining company Patriot Resources announced on Monday the commencement of drilling operations at its newly identified Copper Top Hill prospect, located approximately 850 metres northeast of the Sugarloaf copper deposit in Zambia’s Central Copperbelt. The Copper Top Hill prospect was recently delineated following geological mapping and surface sampling, which revealed visible copper mineralisation extending along strike for over 800 metres. Based on these findings, Patriot formally designated the area as a new discovery within the Sugarloaf licence. Rock chip samples collected from the site returned copper grades of up… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Regional conflict

USA Eyes DRC’s Coltan as Key to Peace, Investment, and Supply Chain Security

June 30, 2025June 30, 2025 Constance

A recent peace agreement signed in Washington between the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Rwanda is raising eyebrows—not only for its geopolitical implications but also for its economic undercurrents. The lengthy document includes a significant clause that effectively ties U.S. private investment to mineral-rich regions in eastern DRC. In particular, the provinces of North Kivu and South Kivu—bordering Rwanda—are known for their abundant reserves of cobalt, coltan (tantalum), tin, lithium, and gold. Reports suggest that American investors have expressed strong interest in the Rubaya coltan mine, currently under… Read More Here