Battery Metals - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Zambia's President Champions Electric Vehicles for a Cleaner Future 1

Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema has emphasized the pivotal role of electric motor vehicles in addressing environmental challenges linked to traditional gasoline and diesel vehicles. He underscores the importance of their continued development and adoption in achieving a sustainable and cleaner future for transportation. During his visit to BYD, one of the world’s largest electric motor vehicle manufacturing plants in Shenzhen, China, President Hichilema expressed Zambia’s commitment to collaborating with companies that can advance the Electric Vehicle (EV) sector within the country. BYD Chairman and President Wang Chuanfu affirmed his company’s… Read More Here

Glencore Boosts DRC Presence in Ambitious Lithium Expansion Move

September 10, 2023September 10, 2023 Constance

Glencore plans to increase its exposure to the Democratic Republic of Congo to source metals vital to electric car batteries, as the commodity trading giant seeks to expand in the rapidly growing market. Glencore is making its first-ever investment in a lithium mine in the central African nation after agreeing a deal with Tantalex, a Toronto-listed group exploring for lithium in the DRC. The deal will see London-listed Glencore provide up to $55mn to Tantalex in three stages, in return for getting the rights to sell lithium from Tantalex’s Manono tailings project… Read More Here

Lithium Battery Metals Copper Gold Mining in DRC

Will Africa and the DRC Turn the Lithium Rush into a Development Opportunity?

September 8, 2023September 8, 2023 Constance

Africa holds 30-75% of the world’s reserves of lithium, phosphate, copper, chrome, manganese, gold, platinum, diamonds, and aluminum. Some of these minerals, such as lithium, are essential for what is known as the energy transition, the shift from an economy based on gas and oil to one based on renewable sources. Zimbabwe possesses the largest lithium reserves in Africa, which are also the fifth-largest in the world. In 2018, Zimbabwe and Namibia were among the top ten global lithium producers. Zimbabwe is expected to meet 20% of the global demand… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Copper Mining Policy

DRC Cancels Mining rights for 29 Companies

September 8, 2023September 8, 2023 Constance

On the date of the issuance of the decree, July 31st, by Michel Kibonge Nyekuma, the Chief of Staff of the Minister of Mines, several of these companies had not yet signed their memorandum of understanding. Twenty-nine mining companies, including Cico, Cilu, Congolaise de Mines et du Développement (Comide), Boss Mining, Ruashi Mining, PPC Barnet, and Chemaf, owned by Congolese, German, Kazakh, Chinese, Indian, South African, and Australian groups, have had their mining rights canceled by the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). As of the date of… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt Copper Mining in Zambia Transport and Logistics

Trafigura-Led Lobito Rail Upgrade Awaits Its First Users

September 5, 2023September 5, 2023 Constance

African metal producers are reluctant to make long-term commitments to use a railway a Trafigura-led consortium plans to upgrade, four sources with knowledge of the matter said. Known as Lobito Atlantic Railway, the consortium pitched the overhaul of the line, historically known as the Benguela Railway, that links resource-rich Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the port of Lobito in Angola to bypass road congestion and avoid long delays on the copper and cobalt route. So far only Ivanhoe Mines is known to have signed a non-binding agreement to use the Lobito railway… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt

International Markets Witness Growing Demand for Cobalt, the ‘Energy Transmission Ore’

September 3, 2023September 3, 2023 Constance

According to data from the economic situation note of the Central Bank of Congo (BCC) of August 25, 2023, 99.8% cathode cobalt increased from USD 32,730.00 per tonne to USD 35,717.44 per tonne. ton, from one week to the next. Which represents an increase of almost 3,000 USD. “The price of cobalt remained stable around USD 32,985.00 per tonne from one week to the next. On the other hand, on the London market, the price of cobalt (99.8% cathode) increased by 9.13%, from 32,730.00 USD to 35,717.44 USD per tonne from one… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Angola Battery Metals Exploration Mining in Zambia Partnership

Japan Expands Critical Mineral Exploration Partnerships in Africa to Diversify Supply Chain

August 30, 2023August 30, 2023 Constance

In a strategic effort to reduce dependency on China for crucial minerals essential in high-tech industries, Japan has inked agreements with five African nations. The agreements were signed to facilitate the exploration and extraction of critical minerals like rare earths, cobalt, lithium, and nickel, aiding Japan’s drive to secure its supply chain. Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura, accompanied by Ichiro Takahara, Chairman and CEO of Japan’s state-owned Organization for Metals and Energy Security, embarked on a week-long journey to Namibia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC),… Read More Here

Gold Battery Metals International Nickel

Sibanye-Stillwater cuts gold, nickel and PGMs production for 2023

August 30, 2023August 30, 2023 Constance

SIBANYE-Stillwater announced cuts to production guidance for gold, nickel and platinum group metals (PGMs) owing to operational mishaps, a strike, and lower metal prices. Publishing his firm’s interim results for the six months ended June 30, Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman said steps had been taken to “minimize” the events. “The operating environment has been … demanding, with regional factors in our operating jurisdictions posing significant challenges,” he said. New gold production guidance of 625,000 to 660,000 ounces was 16% to 17% lower than forecast at the beginning of the year following a shaft… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt Economy

Félix Tshisekedi Encourages better marketing of Cobalt ore

August 30, 2023August 30, 2023 Constance

Designated a crucial mineral propelling the shift toward sustainable energy, cobalt is witnessing a surge in demand across global industrial sectors. Despite this escalating demand, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), responsible for producing 70% of the world’s cobalt, reaps a meager share of revenue from its raw cobalt exports. In the recent weekly assembly of the Council of Ministers convened on Friday, August 25, 2023, President Félix Tshisekedi of the Republic emphasized the urgency of introducing comprehensive measures to meticulously regulate cobalt marketing and amplify the income generated through… Read More Here