Transport and Logistics - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Mining in Zambia Transport and Logistics

Zambia’s Cabinet Approves Beira Development Corridor Agreement

May 16, 2024May 16, 2024 Constance

The Zambian Cabinet, under the leadership of President Hakainde Hichilema, has given the green light to the Beira Development Corridor Agreement, a significant move poised to bolster regional trade and infrastructure development. This agreement involves Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe, aiming to establish a cooperative framework for the Beira Corridor, a pivotal trade route for landlocked nations in the area. Chairing the cabinet meeting, President Hichilema paved the way for this strategic decision. Frank Tayali, Minister of Transport and Logistics, expressed optimism regarding the agreement’s… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Transport and Logistics

Zambia’s Mining Industry Faces Scrutiny Over Exclusion of Local Truck Drivers

May 16, 2024May 16, 2024 Constance

Zambia’s mining industry, a key driver of the nation’s economy, is facing scrutiny over the exclusion of Zambian truck drivers from import and export operations. The Parliamentary Committee on Transports, Works, and Supply has raised concerns about this issue, which came to light during a meeting between the committee, led by Chairperson Mubika Mubika of the Shang’ombo constituency, and the management of Mopani Copper Mines. The committee found that Zambian truck drivers were systematically overlooked for hauling goods and services, hindering local business opportunities and overall economic growth. In response,… Read More Here

Transport and Logistics Angola Mining in DRC Mining in Zambia

Lobito Corridor’s Road Network in Angola Set To Receive €381.5 Million Upgrade

May 15, 2024May 20, 2024 Constance

The U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas, announced a €381.5 million investment to upgrade Angola’s road network, focusing on the Lobito Corridor. The Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) will contribute €85 million, with the rest funded by the Export-Import Bank of the U.S. and the U.S. Private Export Funding Corporation. Additional support comes from Standard Chartered Bank, Conduril, and Acrow. This project will improve 186 bridges and boost agriculture by enhancing access to mineral-rich regions, aiding in the diversification of Angola’s economy. Following last week’s U.S.-Africa Business Summit in Dallas, Texas,… Read More Here

International Transport and Logistics

Chile truckers protest rising crime in threat to mine transport

May 13, 2024May 13, 2024 Constance

Truck drivers in Chile staged protests Monday in the mineral-rich north of the country and around the capital Santiago, demanding greater safety amid an up-tick in violent crime. Drivers at small and mid-sized transport firms belonging to the Northern Force Confederation, or CTFN by its Spanish initials, partially blocked highways near the northern cities of Arica and Coquimbo and on the outskirts of Santiago, snarling morning traffic. There were no immediate reports of disruptions at Chile’s giant copper and lithium operations. The protests are the latest sign of growing concern… Read More Here

Transport and Logistics Angola Mining in DRC

Alexandre Canas Discusses Lobito Railway’s Strategic Importance at US-Africa Business Summit

May 13, 2024May 13, 2024 Constance

Last week, Alexandre Canas, the country manager for Angola at Trafigura, participated in the Corporate Council on Africa’s US-Africa Business Summit held in Dallas. At the summit, Canas joined Angola’s Minister of Transport, Ricardo Viegas D’Abreu, on an AIPEX Angola-led panel to discuss the strategic significance of the Lobito railway. Trafigura is part of the consortium awarded a 30-year concession to operate the 1,300km Lobito railway, which traverses Angola to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo. This railway is poised to become a vital link for trade and… Read More Here

International Transport and Logistics

Angola and US Sign Financing Agreements for Lobito Corridor Development

May 12, 2024May 12, 2024 Constance

Angola and the United States of America inked financing agreements worth $1.3 billion in Dallas on Tuesday for the development of the Lobito Corridor, a key beneficiary of the Global Investment and Infrastructure Partnership (PGI). The signed documents, exchanged between Angolan Finance Minister Vera Daves and Reta-Jo Lewis, President of the US Export-Import Bank (EXIM Bank), will fund three infrastructure projects associated with the Lobito Corridor. Additionally, they target investments in clean energy, connectivity, radio signal expansion, and transport infrastructure. President João Lourenço, who attended the event, emphasized the significance… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Angola Mining in DRC Transport and Logistics

The Lobito Corridor, a Route to African Development?

May 4, 2024May 4, 2024 Constance

In this article, Veronica Bolton Smith makes the case that the participating countries in the Lobito Corridor need to do more to become part of the $60 billion Electric Vehicle (EV) battery supply chain. The stakes are high for Africa as the EV battery market is anticipated to more than double in size to $141.6 billion by 2032, according to Apollo Research. A primary goal of the Lobito Corridor initiative is to improve and expand the existing railway and supporting infrastructure to allow efficient flows of critical raw materials from… Read More Here

Transport and Logistics Angola Mining in DRC Mining in Zambia

Lobito Corridor Master Plan brings together Government and partners on Thursday

April 23, 2024April 23, 2024 Constance

Government officials, business leaders, international partners, and experts will convene for a workshop on Thursday to lay the groundwork for the Master Plan of the Lobito Corridor, also known as the Benguela Railway. The meeting, as reported by JA Online, will focus on mapping infrastructure gaps, discussing the design and significance of public-private partnerships, and exploring avenues for unlocking the corridor’s development potential. Organized jointly by the Ministries of Planning and Transport, in collaboration with the World Bank, the workshop adopts the theme “Diversify more by unlocking the potential of… Read More Here

Transport and Logistics Angola Mining in DRC Mining in Zambia

Confronting the China Challenge in Africa: The Lobito Corridor

April 19, 2024April 19, 2024 Constance

The Lobito Corridor project in Africa is a significant infrastructure initiative aimed at creating a vital trade route. It seeks to connect the mineral-rich Democratic Republic of the Congo (“DRC”) and Zambia to Angola’s Atlantic coast port city of Lobito. This project holds particular interest for some Western nations, potentially serving as a counterpoint to China’s expansive Belt and Road Initiative (“BRI”). China remains a dominant economic force in Africa, having invested $1.8 billion in the first half of 2023 alone, marking a year-on-year increase of 4.4 percent. Chinese investments… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Transport and Logistics

Presidents Hichilema and Masisi Advocate for Optimization of Kazungula Bridge Asset

April 4, 2024April 4, 2024 Constance

President Hakainde Hichilema and his counterpart Mokgweetsi Masisi have emphasized the need to optimize the Kazungula Bridge asset to ensure uniform development in the surrounding areas. They urged relevant offices to expedite negotiations on pending agreements during a joint communique read by Foreign Affairs Permanent Secretary Etambuyu Gundersen after witnessing the signing of 10 instruments of cooperation. Additionally, both presidents highlighted the importance of constructing a rail line to promote traffic flow across the bridge and enhance trade between Zambia and Botswana. Stakeholders have welcomed the signing of the 10… Read More Here