News in Brief - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Zambia Expands Renewable Energy Capacity with 100MW Chisamba II Solar Plant

July 23, 2026July 27, 2026 Constance0 comment

Zambia Doubles Chisamba Solar Capacity to 200MW to Support Mining and Energy Security Zambia has strengthened its renewable energy capacity with the commissioning of the 100MW Chisamba II Solar Power Plant, expanding the Chisamba Solar Complex to 200MW. The project represents a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to diversify its energy mix, improve electricity reliability and reduce dependence on hydropower. Commissioned by President Hakainde Hichilema in Chisamba District, Central Province, the second phase of the solar complex supports Zambia’s broader ambition to increase electricity generation capacity to 10,000MW by… Read More Here

International Gold News in Brief

South African Gold Miner Pours First Gold as $612 Million Investment Begins to Pay Off

July 18, 2026July 18, 2026 Constance0 comment

South African Gold Miner Achieves First Gold Pour After $612 Million Investment Milestone South African gold producer West Wits Mining has achieved its first gold pour at its Qala Shallows project, marking a major milestone after investing approximately $612 million to bring the mine into production. The first gold was processed at Sibanye-Stillwater’s Ezulwini processing plant, officially transforming West Wits from a mine developer into a gold producer. The achievement comes after years of planning, financing and construction aimed at unlocking one of South Africa’s historic gold resources. The Qala… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper News in Brief

Trafigura Wins $92 Million Arbitration Award Against Zambia’s ZCCM-IH

May 30, 2026May 30, 2026 Constance

Zambia’s ZCCM-IH Ordered to Pay $92 Million to Trafigura in Copper Dispute Arbitration A London arbitration tribunal has ordered Zambia’s state-linked investment firm, ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc (ZCCM-IH), to pay approximately $92 million to global commodity trader Trafigura following a long-running dispute involving a prepayment agreement with Konkola Copper Mines. According to a statement released on the Lusaka Securities Exchange, the award includes $69.3 million in principal, $19.7 million in interest, as well as additional arbitration costs and legal fees in favor of Trafigura. ZCCM-IH said it is currently reviewing… Read More Here

Gemstones Corporate News News in Brief

Gemfields Emerald Auction Raises $26.8 Million Amid Cautious Global Market

May 22, 2026May 22, 2026 Constance

Gemfields Generates $26.8 Million from Zambia Emerald Auction Despite Global Economic Uncertainty Johannesburg- and London-listed gemstone miner Gemfields has reported revenue of $26.8 million from its latest auction of higher-quality rough emeralds sourced from the company’s 75%-owned Kagem Mine in Zambia. The auction, held between May 4 and May 21, saw strong participation, with 36 of the 37 lots offered successfully sold. Out of 185,135 carats made available, 183,385 carats were purchased. Gemfields achieved an average realised price of $146.08 per carat during the auction. According to Gemfields Product and… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Economy News in Brief

DRC Reports Over 1,000 kg of Germanium Hydroxide Output in 2025 Amid Highly Volatile Production

May 15, 2026May 15, 2026 Constance

DRC germanium hydroxide production reaches 1,068 kg in 2025 with sharp volatility and export volumes The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) produced 1,068.07 kilograms of germanium hydroxide in 2025, according to data from the Technical Unit for Mining Coordination and Planning (CTCPM) under the Ministry of Mines. During the same period, the country exported 1,079.87 kilograms of the material, indicating that nearly all recorded production was shipped abroad. The CTCPM notes that germanium hydroxide production in 2025 was highly unstable, following a pronounced “sawtooth” pattern marked by sharp fluctuations. The… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Corporate News News in Brief Tin

Alphamin Resources Reports Strong Q1 Earnings Growth Driven by Higher Tin Prices and Improved Logistics

April 12, 2026April 12, 2026 Constance

Alphamin Resources Sees 46% EBITDA Jump to $158M in Q1 on Strong Tin Prices and Stable Production Democratic Republic of Congo-focused tin producer Alphamin Resources is expected to report a 46% quarter-on-quarter increase in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA), reaching approximately $158 million for the quarter ended March 31. Tin production for the period totalled 5,026 tonnes, broadly in line with guidance of 20,000 tonnes annualized output and consistent with the previous quarter’s performance. Tin sales amounted to 5,016 tonnes, representing a marginal 1% decline compared to… Read More Here

Battery Metals International Lithium News in Brief

China Lithium Prices Surge as Zimbabwe Suspends Raw Mineral Exports

February 26, 2026February 26, 2026 Constance

Zimbabwe Halts Lithium Exports, Driving China Lithium Carbonate Prices Higher Amid Energy Storage Demand China’s lithium prices jumped sharply on Thursday after Zimbabwe suspended exports of all raw minerals and lithium concentrates, raising concerns about potential supply disruptions amid booming energy storage demand. The most actively traded lithium carbonate contract on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange surged 6.07% to 178,020 yuan ($26,043.45) per metric ton as of 03:30 GMT, after earlier spiking over 9% to 187,700 yuan. Zimbabwe, Africa’s largest lithium producer, exported 1.128 million tons of spodumene concentrate in 2025… Read More Here

International Corporate News News in Brief Safety & Health

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

Mining in DRC Cobalt News in Brief

DRC Removes 13,587 Children from Cobalt Mines, Reinforces School Integration

January 29, 2026January 29, 2026 Constance

DRC Announces Major Milestone: Over 13,500 Children Withdrawn from Cobalt Mines and Enrolled in Schools On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) announced a major achievement in combating child labor. A total of 13,587 children have been removed from cobalt mines and successfully reintegrated into the school system, according to Richie Lontulungu, Deputy Technical Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH). “The Davos audience welcomed the news that 13,587 children were withdrawn from cobalt mines through the Project to Support the Alternative… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Corporate News Gold News in Brief Technology & Innovation

Barrick Selects Metso Flotation Technology for Lumwana Expansion

January 23, 2026January 27, 2026 Constance

Barrick Chooses Metso’s Concorde Cell Flotation Technology for Lumwana Copper Expansion in Zambia Global gold and copper producer Barrick Mining Corporation has selected Metso’s Concorde Cell flotation technology for its Lumwana copper mine expansion project in Zambia. The Concorde Cell flotation cells will be deployed alongside Metso’s TankCell technology, which Barrick had previously chosen for the project. The combined solution is expected to optimise the processing flowsheet and enhance overall metallurgical performance. Metso said its high-intensity Concorde Cell technology is specifically designed to treat complex orebodies, delivering improved efficiency and… Read More Here