Lithium - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

DRC Minister of Mines Champions Manono’s Mining Potential

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 Constance

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Minister of Mines, Kizito Pakabomba, recently visited Manono in Tanganyika Province as part of efforts to advance the country’s mining sector. This visit highlights the DRC’s strategic collaboration with Manono Lithium, a leading company in lithium extraction, a vital resource for the global energy transition. Upon his arrival, the Minister was warmly welcomed by the local community. Children presented him with bouquets of flowers and released a dove, symbolizing peace and hope for a region striving toward prosperity. A key moment of the visit… Read More Here

AVZ Minerals Secures $15 Million Litigation Funding for DRC Disputes

November 30, 2024November 30, 2024 Constance

AVZ Minerals Limited, a lithium mining company, has secured $15 million in litigation funding from Locke Capital II to support its legal efforts related to disputes over its mining projects, including the Manono project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). AVZ CEO Nigel Ferguson expressed satisfaction with the agreement, stating on November 28: “Locke, a global litigation funder with a strong track record, has approved funding for AVZ, validating our strong position in these disputes and paving the way for a successful resolution.” The company plans to draw an… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper Lithium

Vital Kamerhe Calls for Reflection on DRC’s Mining Challenges

November 17, 2024November 17, 2024 Constance

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), rich in minerals like cobalt, copper, and lithium, faces significant challenges in its extractive sector. Despite its vast resources, issues such as illicit mining, environmental pollution, corruption, and poor working conditions persist. On November 13, 2024, during a plenary session, President of the National Assembly Vital Kamerhe called for a reassessment of the country’s mining sector. He highlighted the involvement of government officials, including some deputies and ministers, in illegal mining operations, and lamented the existence of “illegal protectors” in the sector. Minister of… Read More Here

International Battery Metals Cobalt Lithium

African Nations Called to Invest in Beneficiation of Critical Minerals for Industrial Growth

October 30, 2024October 30, 2024 Constance

Africa has the potential to be a key player in the global energy transition due to its rich reserves of critical minerals like lithium and cobalt. However, maximizing this potential requires a robust strategy for building manufacturing capacity, scaling up production, and increasing exports. This perspective was shared during a panel discussion at the recent Manufacturing Indaba, highlighting how resource extraction and industrialisation offer African nations opportunities to advance along the value chain, create high-skilled jobs, and drive technological innovation. “We need to explore ways to deepen those value chains,… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Battery Metals Lithium New Mining Projects

First Africa Metals Confirms High-Grade Lithium at Misika Project in Zambia

October 7, 2024October 7, 2024 Constance

UK-based mining exploration company First Africa Metals has reported that rock chip sampling has confirmed exceptionally high-grade lithium-bearing pegmatites at its Misika project in Zambia’s Southern Province. Independent laboratory analysis of the rock chip samples, along with X-ray diffraction (XRD) data, reveals that outcropping pegmatites from existing shallow artisanal open pits contain spodumene, montebrasite, pollucite, and lepidolite. The highest-grade lithium-bearing samples (>7% lithium oxide) consist primarily of montebrasite, a lithium ore noted for its low impurity levels. The Misika pegmatite zone is currently identified as approximately 1 km wide with… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Lithium

AVZ Minerals Asserts Legal Rights Amid Manono Lithium Permit Dispute

September 29, 2024September 29, 2024 Constance

AVZ Minerals Limited (AVZ) has raised concerns over the purported transformation of Research Permit PR15775 into an Exploitation Permit by Manono Lithium SAS, a joint venture between Jinxiang Lithium Limited (a subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group) and Congolaise D’Exploitation Miniere SA (Cominière). AVZ asserts that PR15775 overlaps the northern portion of PR13359, a permit the company claims legal rights to through its majority stake in Dathcom Mining SA. AVZ refers to provisional orders from the International Centre for Settlement Disputes (ICSID) arbitration proceedings (ICSID Case No. ARB/23/20). These orders, disclosed… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Lithium

Manono Lithium Secures Exploitation Permit for DRC Project

September 22, 2024September 22, 2024 Constance

On September 20, Manono Lithium SAS announced the successful conversion of its Exploration Permit into an Exploitation Permit for the Manono lithium mine, granted by the Ministry of Mines on September 13. A company representative highlighted the significance of this milestone for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and its local communities: “This is a crucial step that will bring jobs, investment, and numerous benefits to the region. The project will also contribute to global climate change efforts by increasing lithium supply to international markets. We are committed to its… Read More Here

International Lithium

Ghana’s Lithium Project Faces Delays Amid Falling Global Prices

September 15, 2024September 15, 2024 Constance

Ghana is concerned that a slump in global lithium prices could jeopardize its first lithium mining project in Ewoyaa, according to the head of the country’s mining sector regulator. In October 2023, Ghana, a West African nation known for its gold and cocoa production, granted a 15-year lease to Australian mining company Atlantic Lithium to establish its first lithium mine by the fourth quarter of 2024. However, recent developments have raised concerns about the project’s future. The company received environmental approval for the project last Thursday, but delays in parliamentary… Read More Here

Lithium Battery Metals Cobalt Mining in Zambia

WTO Chief Advocates Local Processing of Mining Products to Boost Africa’s Economic Value

September 15, 2024September 15, 2024 Constance

On Tuesday, September 12, 2024, World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala urged Africa to process its strategic mining products locally instead of exporting them raw. In a media briefing, she emphasized the need for an integrated approach to develop full value chains on the continent, particularly in resource-rich countries like the DRC. “Why continue to export raw materials?” Okonjo-Iweala questioned. “We should process these critical minerals locally, in partnership with neighboring countries such as Zambia, to create jobs and increase value addition in the region.” She highlighted Africa’s potential… Read More Here

International Lithium Uranium

Namibia Tightens Mining License Approvals Amid Underperformance

August 8, 2024August 8, 2024 Constance

Namibia has announced that less than half of its approved mining projects are currently operational, leading the government to adopt a stricter approach to issuing permits. Of the 162 mining licenses approved by the country, only 68 are active, according to Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo, who spoke at a conference in Windhoek on Wednesday. As the world’s third-largest uranium producer and a nation rich in lithium and rare earth minerals like dysprosium and terbium, Namibia is seeking to better manage its resources to benefit its citizens. The government… Read More Here