Economy - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

South African Rand Strengthens Near 16-per-Dollar as Gold Hits Record Highs

January 27, 2026January 27, 2026 Constance

South African Rand Approaches 16 per Dollar Amid Record Gold Prices Ahead of SARB Rate Meeting The South African rand edged closer to the 16-per-dollar mark on Monday, supported by record gold prices, ahead of the South African Reserve Bank’s (SARB) first interest rate meeting of 2026. At 07:03 GMT, the rand traded at 16.0475 against the dollar, up approximately 0.4% from its previous close and near its strongest level since June 2022. The U.S. dollar weakened slightly against a basket of currencies, while gold surged past $5,000 per ounce,… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Economy

Tshisekedi Positions DRC as Strategic Partner in Global Energy Transition at Davos

January 23, 2026January 23, 2026 Constance

At Davos, President Tshisekedi Calls for Fair Mineral Partnerships and Local Value Creation in the DRC President Félix Tshisekedi is among the guests of honour at the 56th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF), taking place in Davos, Switzerland, from Monday, January 19 to Friday, January 23, under the theme “A Spirit of Dialogue.” This year’s forum is marked by exceptional diplomatic engagement, with more than 50 heads of state and government expected to attend. The Davos meeting serves as a high-level platform bringing together global political leaders,… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Economy Infrastructural Development

DRC Targets $750 Million From First International Bond to Fund Infrastructure

January 23, 2026January 23, 2026 Constance

DRC Plans $750 Million Debut Eurobond as Rising Metal Prices Boost Investor Appeal The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) plans to raise $750 million in April through its first international bond issuance, with proceeds earmarked for infrastructure development, Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba Likunde said in an interview in Kinshasa. The transaction will represent the first tranche of a broader foreign-currency borrowing programme approved by the Council of Ministers. The programme allows for up to $1.5 billion in international bond issuances through 2026, with the government intending to phase market access… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Economy Partnership

Zambia and France Explore Strategic Mining Partnership to Boost Economic Growth

January 22, 2026January 22, 2026 Constance

Zambia and France Discuss Mining Collaboration to Enhance Value Addition and Investment Zambia and France are exploring a strategic partnership in the mining sector aimed at boosting economic growth and local value addition. The discussions followed a courtesy call by the French Ambassador to Zambia, H.E. Thomas Rossignol, on the Permanent Secretary of Mines and Minerals Development, Dr. Hapenga Kabeta, at the Ministry’s headquarters in Lusaka. Ambassador Rossignol highlighted France’s readiness to support Zambia with technical expertise, loans, and investment to develop the country’s rich mineral resources. “France is ready… Read More Here

Gold Economy Mining in Uganda

Uganda’s Gold Exports Soar, Surpassing Coffee to Become Top Foreign Exchange Earner

January 21, 2026January 21, 2026 Constance

Uganda’s Gold Exports Jump 76% to $5.8 Billion, Overtaking Coffee as Leading Export Uganda’s gold exports surged by 75.8% in 2025, reaching approximately $5.8 billion, marking a rapid transformation in the country’s export profile as gold overtook coffee as the leading source of foreign exchange. Data from the Bank of Uganda show shipments rose from about $3.3 billion in 2024, driven largely by record international gold prices that attracted new traders into the sector. Adam Mugume, the central bank’s executive director for research and economic analysis, noted that the global… Read More Here

Copper Corporate News Economy Mining in Zambia

MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR SPENDING PLANS UNVEILED AS FQM REPORTS 2025 COPPER PRODUCTION FIGURES

January 20, 2026January 20, 2026 Constance

Copper production at First Quantum Minerals’ Kansanshi mine in Solwezi rose by almost 6 percent to 181,000 tonnes last year – the highest production since 2021 – according to preliminary figures from the company release to investors this week. The company also unveiled a multi-million-dollar capital investment programme for its Zambian operations over the next three years, a move expected to benefit local suppliers, contractors and host communities. Kansanshi’s output for 2025 increased by 10,000 tonnes compared with the 171,000 tonnes produced in 2024, boosted by 25,000 tonnes of production… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Economy

Copper Boosts Zambia’s Stock Market to Global Top Performers

January 18, 2026January 18, 2026 Constance

Zambia’s Lusaka Securities Exchange Among World’s Best-Performing Markets on Copper Rally Thanks to soaring copper prices, Zambia now boasts one of the world’s best-performing stock markets, highlighting the nation’s growing prominence in global financial circles. The Lusaka Securities Exchange (LSE) benchmark index has risen approximately 17% in U.S. dollar terms in 2026, trailing only Bulgaria among global stock markets. Other markets posting double-digit gains include Colombia, South Korea, and Turkey, while Nigeria recorded an 8% increase. The rally reflects Zambia’s primary export commodity, copper, which has surged to consecutive record… Read More Here

Gold Economy International

Mali’s Gold Production Slumps in 2025 Amid Mining Disputes

January 18, 2026January 18, 2026 Constance

Mali Gold Output Falls 22.9% in 2025 as Barrick Suspension and Mining Reforms Disrupt Production Mali’s industrial gold production declined by 22.9 per cent in 2025, largely due to the prolonged suspension of Barrick Mining’s operations amid a dispute over tougher mining regulations, according to provisional data from the Ministry of Mines. The West African nation, one of Africa’s leading gold producers, has been implementing reforms aimed at increasing state revenue and local value capture under a new mining code introduced in 2023. As part of the reform process, a… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Economy

Zambia Expands Investment Outreach Through New China–SCO Trade Platforms

January 18, 2026January 18, 2026 Constance

Zambia Deepens China Trade Ties as New Investment Platforms Open Access to SCO and Greater Bay Area Markets Zambia has intensified efforts to strengthen investment and trade cooperation with China, unveiling new platforms aimed at connecting the country to investors across the Greater Bay Area and the wider Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) economic bloc. The platforms were officially launched in Guangzhou by Zambian Ambassador to China Mr Ivan Zyuulu, who presided over the inauguration of the China–SCO Economic and Trade Exchange Centre and the Guangdong and Macao Development Platform. The… Read More Here

Copper Economy Mining in Zambia

Mining Reforms Put Zambia on Track for Copper Production Milestone

January 16, 2026January 16, 2026 Constance

Zambia’s Mining Sector Accelerates Toward 2031 Copper Production Target The Government of Zambia has expressed confidence that the country will achieve its national target of producing three million metric tonnes of copper annually by 2031, citing sustained policy reforms and renewed momentum in the mining sector. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development, Dr Hapenga Kabeta, said the optimism is driven by progressive policy measures, the revitalisation of major mining operations, growing investor confidence, and expansion projects being implemented by several mining companies across the country. Dr… Read More Here