Constance - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Written by Constance

DRC Signals Flexibility on US Minerals Deal, Says Alternative Partners Remain an Option

February 16, 2026February 16, 2026 Constance

DRC Mines Minister Says US Critical Minerals Framework Must Deliver Projects or Congo Will Seek Other Partners The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) will pursue alternative partnerships if its minerals cooperation framework with the United States does not translate into concrete investment projects, Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba said. Speaking on the sidelines of the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, Watum Kabamba stressed that the agreement with Washington remains a preliminary framework rather than a binding commercial deal. “Everything we have done with America is a… Read More Here

Zijin to Launch DRC’s First Lithium Production at Manono in June

February 16, 2026February 16, 2026 Constance

China’s Zijin Mining to Begin Lithium Production at Congo’s Manono Deposit in June Zijin Mining will begin the Democratic Republic of Congo’s first lithium production in June at the disputed Manono deposit, with exports set to commence immediately thereafter, according to the company and state miner Cominiere. The development marks a significant step in China’s strategy to secure critical mineral supplies in Africa. Zijin had previously targeted first-quarter 2026 for initial output but confirmed that the timeline has been revised to June to reflect updated project planning. Disputed Asset The… Read More Here

Diamond International

Okavango Diamond Company Expands Contract Sales to Stabilise Revenues

February 16, 2026February 16, 2026 Constance

Botswana’s Okavango Diamond Company Targets 50% Contract Sales to Navigate Weak Diamond Market Botswana’s state-owned Okavango Diamond Company (ODC) plans to increase the proportion of rough diamonds sold through long-term contracts in response to a depressed global diamond market, Acting Managing Director Lipalese Makepe said on Wednesday. Contract sales offer greater predictability than auctions and tenders, which are highly competitive and can result in price volatility. The shift comes amid surplus supply, weakening consumer demand and the growing popularity of lab grown diamonds, all of which have pressured rough diamond… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Economy Events & Expos

Zambia Showcases Economic Recovery and Reform Agenda at 2026 Mining Indaba

February 16, 2026February 16, 2026 Constance

Zambia Highlights IMF Programme Success, $12bn Mining Investment and Copper Growth at 2026 Mining Indaba Situmbeko Musokotwane, Zambia’s Minister of Finance and National Planning, described President Hakainde Hichilema’s address at the 2026 Investing in African Mining Indaba as a strong endorsement of the country’s economic recovery and a clear roadmap for partnership-led growth. In a fiscal and macroeconomic assessment of the President’s speech, Dr Musokotwane said the address delivered shortly after Zambia concluded its International Monetary Fund Extended Credit Facility (ECF) Programme in January 2026 underscored the importance of macroeconomic… Read More Here

Copper Economy Events & Expos

CEC Urges $12bn Energy Investment to Power Zambia’s 3 Million Tonnes Copper Production Goal

February 16, 2026February 16, 2026 Constance

Zambia Needs $12 Billion in Power Investment to Achieve 3 Million Tonnes Copper Target, Says CEC Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc (CEC) Managing Director Owen Silavwe has called for accelerated private-sector investment in Zambia’s power sector, warning that expanded energy infrastructure is essential to achieving the country’s target of producing three million metric tonnes of copper annually by 2031. Speaking at the Zambia Country Showcase during the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, Silavwe commended the government’s reform agenda, noting that recent policy measures in the mining and energy… Read More Here

International

Africa Urged to Harness $29.5 Trillion in Mineral Wealth for Industrial Growth

February 16, 2026February 16, 2026 Constance

Africa Holds $29.5 Trillion in Minerals but Must Boost Processing and Infrastructure to Capture Value Africa holds an estimated US$29.5 trillion in mine-site mineral value, representing roughly 20% of global mineral wealth, yet the continent captures only a small fraction of the economic benefits, according to a new study by the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC). The report, launched at the Mining Indaba in Cape Town, reveals that US$8.6 trillion of this value remains untapped due to limited geological data, uneven exploration, and transparency gaps that heighten investment risk. AFC emphasizes… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Events & Expos Oil & Gas Partnership

Puma Energy Partners with Hass Petroleum to Launch Lubricants in DRC

February 16, 2026February 16, 2026 Constance

Puma Energy Teams Up with Hass Petroleum to Introduce Premium Lubricants in DRC Puma Energy and Hass Petroleum have announced a strategic partnership to distribute Puma Energy’s lubricants across the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The agreement was finalized during the Investing in African Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town. The collaboration marks the debut of the Puma Energy lubricants brand in the DRC. Under the partnership, Hass Petroleum will handle the distribution and marketing of high-performance lubricants, supporting critical sectors including mining and industrial operations in one of Africa’s… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt Transport and Logistics

Lobito Atlantic Railway Launches First Ethical Copper and Cobalt Shipment from DRC to Global Markets

February 15, 2026February 16, 2026 Constance

Lobito Atlantic Railway Facilitates First Copper and Cobalt Shipment from DRC to Global Markets In a landmark milestone for the Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR), Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) and Trafigura announced the first delivery of copper and cobalt along the corridor linking the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to Angola’s deep-water port of Lobito. EGC, a state-owned entity responsible for purchasing cobalt from artisanal producers in the DRC, has partnered with Trafigura, which markets EGC-supplied cobalt globally. EGC CEO Eric Kalala highlighted that using the LAR demonstrates that ethical,… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Mine Safety

Zambia Suspends Mopani Copper Mines’ Mufulira Operations Over Safety Lapses

February 15, 2026February 15, 2026 Constance

Zambia Halts Mufulira Mine Operations at Mopani Copper Mines After Safety Violations Zambia’s mining regulator has suspended operations at Mopani Copper Mines’ Mufulira mine after the company failed to account for all personnel working underground, the Minerals Regulation Commission said in a statement on Friday. The suspension follows a series of recent accidents at Mopani’s facilities and stems from non-compliance with safety regulations that require mines to maintain accurate records of all underground workers at any given time. “Operations will remain suspended until the mine rectifies all deficiencies identified in… Read More Here

International Corporate News News in Brief Safety & Health

Fatal Incident at SimFer Project Halts Operations in Guinea

February 15, 2026February 15, 2026 Constance

Contractor Fatality at Rio Tinto’s SimFer Iron Ore Project Suspends Operations in Guinea A contract worker died on Saturday following an incident at the SimFer iron ore project in Nzérékoré, Guinea, according to a statement issued by Rio Tinto. The company did not disclose specific details regarding the circumstances of the incident. All operations at the SimFer site have been suspended pending further review. The temporary shutdown is intended to ensure site safety and support the ongoing investigation. Rio Tinto confirmed that an internal investigation is underway to determine the… Read More Here