International - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Africa Urged to Harness $29.5 Trillion in Mineral Wealth for Industrial Growth 1

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

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

International Corporate News Gold

Mali Renews Barrick’s Loulo-Gounkoto Gold Mining Permit for 10 Years After Resolving Dispute

February 15, 2026February 15, 2026 Constance

Mali Extends Barrick’s Loulo-Gounkoto Gold Mining Permit by 10 Years Following Settlement Agreement Mali’s government has approved a draft decree to renew the gold mining permit for the Loulo-Gounkoto complex, operated by Barrick Gold, for an additional 10 years. The announcement was made in an official statement issued Friday by the country’s military leadership. Mali, one of Africa’s largest gold producers, finalized a settlement with Barrick in November after nearly two years of negotiations. The dispute stemmed from Mali’s 2023 mining code reforms, which increased taxes and expanded the state’s… Read More Here

International Corporate News Mergers & Acquisitions

Sandvik to Acquire ThoroughTec Simulation to Expand Mining Training Solutions

February 15, 2026February 15, 2026 Constance

Sandvik Acquires South Africa’s ThoroughTec to Strengthen Digital Mining and Operator Training Capabilities Sandvik has announced the acquisition of South Africa-based ThoroughTec Simulation, a specialist in advanced mining equipment simulators and training management systems. The company will be integrated into Sandvik’s Parts and Services division within its Mining business area. The transaction, expected to close in the second quarter of 2026 subject to customary regulatory approvals, will enhance Sandvik’s digital mining ecosystem and aftermarket service offering. The purchase price was not disclosed. Strengthening Operator Training and Safety ThoroughTec develops OEM-agnostic… Read More Here

International Corporate News Mergers & Acquisitions

Rio Tinto and Glencore Abandon Plans for $232 Billion Mining Mega-Merger

February 15, 2026February 15, 2026 Constance

Rio Tinto and Glencore Call Off $232 Billion Merger Talks Amid Governance and Valuation Disputes Rio Tinto and Glencore have terminated discussions over a proposed mega-merger that would have created the world’s largest mining company, with a combined market value of approximately $232 billion. The collapse comes just ahead of a deadline for Rio Tinto to submit a firm offer. After nearly a year of intermittent negotiations, talks broke down within 24 hours, with Rio announcing it was no longer pursuing a merger or other business combination with Glencore, citing… Read More Here

International Battery Metals Lithium

Zimbabwe to Launch Africa’s First Lithium Sulphate Plant at Bikita Mine

February 15, 2026February 15, 2026 Constance

Zimbabwe to Commission Africa’s First Lithium Sulphate Plant, Strengthening Its Role in the Global EV Battery Supply Chain Zimbabwe is preparing to inaugurate Africa’s first lithium sulphate processing plant, marking a significant milestone in the country’s mineral beneficiation strategy. The facility is being developed by Prospect Lithium Zimbabwe (PLZ), the country’s largest lithium producer, with financial backing from Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co. The plant, located at Huayou’s Bikita Mine in southeastern Zimbabwe, has attracted approximately US$500 million in investment and has now reached the equipment commissioning phase a key step… Read More Here

International Corporate News Diamond

Letšeng Diamond Mine Reports 36% Revenue Drop in 2025

February 8, 2026February 8, 2026 Constance

Letšeng Mine in Lesotho Sees Sharp Revenue Decline Amid Global Diamond Market Challenges The Letšeng diamond mine in Lesotho, known for producing some of the world’s highest-value diamonds per carat, experienced a significant revenue decline in 2025. Gem Diamonds, the mine’s owner, reported on February 4, 2026, that Letšeng generated $97.7 million, down 36% from $152.8 million in 2024. The drop is attributed to a 14% fall in production and a 20% decrease in the average price per carat, which fell from $1,390 in 2024 to $1,105 in 2025. Exceptional… Read More Here

International Corporate News

Glencore Suspends Major Horne Smelter Investments Amid Regulatory Uncertainty

February 8, 2026February 8, 2026 Constance

Glencore Halts $1-Billion Horne Smelter Upgrade Over Quebec Regulatory Dispute Glencore Canada has suspended major investments at its Horne smelter in Rouyn-Noranda after failing to reach an agreement with the Quebec government by its self-imposed January 31 deadline regarding long-term operating conditions. The company announced it is “forced to immediately suspend all investments related to emissions reduction and facility upgrades” and to implement a demobilisation plan at the smelter. Investments at its CCR refinery in Montréal Est will also be scaled back over the medium term. Negotiations with provincial authorities,… Read More Here

International

Madagascar Reopens Mining Sector After 16-Year Permit Freeze

February 4, 2026February 4, 2026 Constance

Madagascar Lifts 16-Year Mining Permit Moratorium, Reopening Critical Minerals Sector but Keeps Gold Restrictions Madagascar has lifted a 16-year moratorium on issuing new mining permits for most minerals, reopening a sector that is central to Africa’s critical minerals race and the island nation’s evolving geopolitical and economic strategy. The decision was announced late Thursday by the Council of Ministers, chaired by the President of the Republic, ending a suspension that had been in place since 2010. The moratorium was originally imposed to address governance weaknesses, reduce corruption risks, resolve overlapping… Read More Here

Corporate News International Mining Personality

Ivanhoe Atlantic CEO Bronwyn Barnes Resigns Amid Rail, Regulatory, and Geopolitical Pressures

February 4, 2026February 4, 2026 Constance

Ivanhoe Atlantic CEO Steps Down as Iron Ore Projects Face Rail Access and Guinea Regulatory Challenges Bronwyn Barnes, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ivanhoe Atlantic, has resigned after four years leading the Liberian- and Guinean-focused iron ore developer. The company is majority-owned by U.S.-Canadian billionaire Robert Friedland. Her departure comes at a time when Ivanhoe Atlantic is navigating a complex mix of infrastructure constraints, regulatory hurdles, and heightened geopolitical scrutiny. Ivanhoe Atlantic’s export strategy is heavily dependent on access to Liberia’s Yekepa–Buchanan rail corridor, which connects the Mount Nimba… Read More Here