International - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Mali Detains Yanfolila Mine Executives as Mining Code Enforcement Intensifies 1

Mali Detains Five Yanfolila Gold Mine Managers in Toughened Mining Sector Crackdown Mali has detained five senior managers linked to the local operator of the Yanfolila gold mine over alleged breaches of the country’s mining regulations, highlighting the government’s increasingly hardline approach to the extractive sector. According to two sources familiar with the matter, the employees of Société des Mines de Komana (SMK) were detained on Friday for allegedly failing to repatriate foreign currency earned from export revenues, a requirement under Mali’s revised mining code. The information was reported by… Read More Here

International Economy

Zimbabwe Sees First Single-Digit Inflation in Over Two Decades

January 28, 2026January 28, 2026 Constance

Zimbabwe’s Inflation Falls to Single Digits as ZiG Currency Gains Stability Zimbabwe’s economy is showing early signs of stabilization, marked by a sharp slowdown in inflation and renewed confidence in its gold-backed local currency. The development represents a significant milestone for a country that has grappled with currency instability and hyperinflation for more than two decades. In November last year, the Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries (CZI) projected a substantial decline in annual inflation by the end of 2025, forecasting a 50% reduction as tighter monetary controls took effect. At the… Read More Here

International Economy Gold

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 Equipment International Mergers & Acquisitions

Zahid Group Completes $1.3bn Acquisition of Barloworld in Landmark Middle East–Africa Deal

January 27, 2026January 27, 2026 Constance

Saudi Arabia’s Zahid Group Finalises $1.3bn Barloworld Acquisition in Major Middle East–Africa Deal Saudi Arabia’s Zahid Group has formally completed the acquisition of South African industrial conglomerate Barloworld, concluding a R23 billion ($1.3 billion) transaction that takes the 123-year-old company private and ranks among the most significant Middle East–Africa corporate takeovers in recent years. The acquisition, led by a consortium anchored by Zahid Group through its subsidiary Gulf Falcon Holding, was finalised in January 2026 after the buyers secured the remaining outstanding shares via a compulsory squeeze-out. Barloworld’s ordinary shares… Read More Here

International Angola Diamond

GIA Explores Certification Partnership for Angolan Diamonds

January 27, 2026January 27, 2026 Constance

GIA Eyes Certification of Angolan Diamonds as U.S. Interest in Angola’s Diamond Sector Grows Angola’s diamond industry is attracting growing interest from the United States, with the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) signalling its intention to collaborate on the certification of diamonds produced in the country. The initiative could strengthen Angola’s position in the global diamond market while supporting local economic development. During a visit to diamond sector infrastructure in Lunda Sul Province, a GIA delegation expressed interest in working with Angolan authorities to certify “diamonds made in Angola.” The… Read More Here

International Battery Metals Transport and Logistics

Ghana Steps Up Electric Vehicle Manufacturing Push to Drive Industrialisation

January 26, 2026January 26, 2026 Constance

Ghana Advances EV Manufacturing Plans with Chinese Automakers to Boost Jobs and Clean Transport Ghana is accelerating its industrialisation agenda with a renewed focus on electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing, as the government seeks to create jobs, attract foreign investment, and enhance the country’s competitiveness in clean transport. The initiative builds on earlier engagements with Chinese automakers and has now entered a more advanced implementation phase. Speaking at the Government Accountability Series on January 21, 2026, Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare said the government had signed a memorandum… Read More Here

Diamond Angola International

Angola’s Polished Diamond Exports Surge in 2025 Despite Global Price Pressures

January 26, 2026January 26, 2026 Constance

Angola Polished Diamond Exports More Than Double in 2025 as Volumes and Revenues Rise Angola’s polished diamond exports more than doubled in 2025, recording strong growth in both volumes and total export value despite a decline in average prices, according to a statement released by the country’s national diamond trading company, Sodiam, on January 26. Sodiam reported that between January 1 and December 31, 2025, Angola exported 23,300 carats of polished diamonds at an average price of $4,705.74 per carat, generating total export revenues of $109.7 million. Compared with the… Read More Here

International Corporate News Gold

Newmont’s Veto Power Complicates Barrick’s Plan to Spin Off North American Assets

January 26, 2026January 26, 2026 Constance

Barrick’s North America IPO Plans Depend on Newmont as Nevada JV Terms Shift Power Balance TORONTO – Canadian mining group Barrick’s plans to spin off its North American assets will depend heavily on its joint venture partner Newmont, underscoring a dramatic shift in the balance of power between the two global gold producers, according to documents reviewed by Reuters and accounts from former Barrick executives. Denver-based Newmont’s influence over Barrick’s strategic options marks a reversal from just a few years ago, when Barrick was seeking to buy out Newmont’s minority… Read More Here

International Diamond Exploration Gold New Mining Projects

Botswana Diamonds Secures New Licences to Expand into Copper and Gold Exploration

January 26, 2026January 26, 2026 Constance

Botswana Diamonds Enters Copper and Gold Exploration with 7,000 km² of New Licences in Botswana AIM- and BSE-listed Botswana Diamonds has announced the award of eight prospecting licences covering approximately 7,000 km² in north-western Botswana, marking a potential entry into the copper and gold sectors. The licences, which are valid until December 31, 2028, were selected following an extensive AI-driven assessment of the company’s Botswana-focused exploration database, which spans about 95,000 km². The analysis incorporated a large body of geophysical survey data and identified strong prospectivity for copper, with additional… Read More Here

International Gold Mergers & Acquisitions

Zijin Gold to Acquire Allied Gold in C$5.5 Billion All-Cash Deal

January 26, 2026January 26, 2026 Constance

Zijin Gold Agrees to Buy Allied Gold for C$5.5 Billion in Friendly All-Cash Takeover TSX- and NYSE-listed Allied Gold has agreed to be acquired by Hong Kong–listed Zijin Gold in a friendly, all-cash transaction valued at approximately C$5.5 billion. Under the terms of a definitive arrangement agreement announced on Monday, Zijin Gold will acquire all of Allied Gold’s issued and outstanding shares for C$44 per share in cash. The offer represents a premium of about 27% to Allied Gold’s 30-day volume-weighted average share price on the Toronto Stock Exchange as… Read More Here