Battery Metals - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Cobalt Market in DRC Faces Temporary Slowdown but Long-Term Prospects Remain Strong 1

Cobalt, a crucial mineral for the energy transition, experienced a temporary slowdown in 2023, according to a new report from the Cobalt Institute. However, the long-term outlook remains promising due to rising demand for electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries. The report highlights that battery-related applications accounted for 73% of cobalt demand, with electric vehicles alone driving 96% of the growth in 2023. Despite market disruptions and fluctuations, the industry has shown remarkable adaptability and endurance, says Dinah McLeod, Managing Director of the Cobalt Institute. In 2023, global cobalt supply increased… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt

Chemaf SA Sells Congolese Assets to Norinco Amid Debt Settlement with Trafigura

June 29, 2024June 29, 2024 Constance

Chemaf SA, a cobalt miner, has agreed to sell its assets in the Democratic Republic of Congo to Chinese miner Norin Mining to settle debts largely funded by its long-time partner, commodities trader Trafigura, the company announced on Thursday. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. The new owner, a unit of the Chinese state-backed China North Industries Corp (Norinco), possesses the resources and technical expertise needed to complete the expansion of two cobalt and copper projects in Congo, Chemaf stated. Chinese miners, most of which are state-backed,… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Battery Metals Economy

ZAMZINC Achieves $10 Million Investment Milestone in Lusaka Manganese Plant

June 27, 2024June 27, 2024 Constance

ZAMZINC Industry Company Limited, registered with the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) in 2021, has already realized over $10 million of its committed $50 million investment in a manganese processing plant in Lusaka. The plant, located in the Lusaka Multi-Facility Economic Zone (LS-MFEZ), currently produces 200 tonnes of manganese daily, with plans to increase production to 300 tonnes per day. During a visit by a ZDA team, ZAMZINC General Manager Mavis Chintu reported that production is progressing smoothly. The plant operates 24 hours a day in three shifts and employs 250… Read More Here

International Battery Metals Oil & Gas

US Supports Angola’s Transition to Clean Energy and Critical Minerals

June 23, 2024June 23, 2024 Constance

The United States is backing Angola’s shift away from its oil-dominated economy towards becoming a major processor and exporter of critical minerals and clean energy, a senior official confirmed. Geoffrey Pyatt, US Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources, highlighted the alignment between Angola and the US on energy access, security, decarbonization, and critical minerals during an online media briefing on Tuesday. Angola, a significant crude oil producer in Africa, has emerged as a strategic focus for the US in its efforts to secure critical minerals like copper, amid competition… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Battery Metals Economy Mining in DRC

Zambia to Leverage Economic Diplomacy for BEV Initiative Success

June 19, 2024June 19, 2024 Constance

Zambia will utilize its strengthened economic diplomatic capabilities to ensure the effective implementation of the joint Battery and Electric Vehicle (BEV) value chain initiative, according to Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mulambo Haimbe. Speaking on Voice of America’s Nightline Africa, Mr. Haimbe highlighted the impact of Zambia’s economic diplomacy under the New Dawn government on regional stability, peace, and security in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region. Zambia has partnered with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to establish a value chain in the electric battery and… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals

African Coalition Urges Fair Energy Transition to Boost Economic Growth

June 16, 2024June 16, 2024 Constance

In a newly published report titled “The Obstacles and Opportunities Linked to the Energy Transition,” Afrewatch and Global Witness, united under the African Coalition on Green Minerals (CAMV), have called for a fair and equitable energy transition to stimulate economic growth in Africa. This call was made during a press conference in Lubumbashi, the capital of Haut-Katanga province, following a workshop held from June 10 to 11, 2024. The workshop aimed to identify the obstacles and opportunities facing African countries that produce critical minerals. Members of the CAMV emphasized that… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Lithium New Mining Projects

AJN Resources Inc Initiates Lithium Exploration in DRC’s Manono Nord-est Project

June 9, 2024June 9, 2024 Constance

On Friday, May 31, 2024, Canadian junior exploration company, AJN Resources Inc, announced the commencement of lithium exploration on its Manono Nord-est project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The project is located in the Tanganyika province under permit PR15282. A South African drilling company has been engaged to closely monitor the percussion drilling program and analyze drilling data. The program has already identified three zones of alluvial sediments adjacent to granite contact zones. These targeted areas span approximately 7 kilometers within the permit area, as illustrated in Figure… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Lithium

Delays and Controversy Cloud Manono Lithium Mining Project in DRC

June 7, 2024June 7, 2024 Constance

Announced at the start of 2023, the lithium mining project in Manono, Tanganyika province, remains stalled. Despite high hopes for transforming the Greater Katanga region, the project has yet to launch. The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which previously mined tin in the area, now faces questions about why this promising project is delayed. Manono, located in the southeastern DRC, holds the world’s largest lithium reserve. With an estimated 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs), the region’s natural resources have attracted global attention, especially with the discovery of lithium. The demand… Read More Here

International Battery Metals Lithium

Zimbabwe lithium miners table refinery plans under govt pressure

May 24, 2024May 24, 2024 Constance

Four lithium mining companies have tabled plans to produce battery-grade lithium in Zimbabwe, a government official said on Monday. Zimbabwe, Africa’s top producer of lithium, which is used in electric vehicle batteries and to store renewable energy, is prodding miners to refine the mineral locally as it hopes to boost its economy. Currently, Chinese lithium miners, who dominate the sector in Zimbabwe, only produce lithium concentrates which they ship to China for further processing. Last November, Zimbabwe’s finance minister Mthuli Ncube said the government had given miners up to March… Read More Here

International Battery Metals

Zimbabwe Advances Plans for Local Production of Battery-Grade Lithium

May 20, 2024May 20, 2024 Constance

Zimbabwe is making strides in its efforts to enhance its lithium industry, with four mining companies presenting proposals to produce battery-grade lithium within the country. This move reflects Zimbabwe’s ambition to refine lithium locally, a mineral crucial for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy storage, aiming to bolster its economy. As Africa’s leading lithium producer, Zimbabwe is urging miners to process the mineral domestically, shifting away from the current practice where Chinese lithium miners primarily export lithium concentrates to China for further processing. Last November, Zimbabwe’s finance minister Mthuli Ncube… Read More Here