FQM Suspends Public Tours of Panama Copper Mine Amid Govt Pressure 21 Copper Corporate News International 

FQM Suspends Public Tours of Panama Copper Mine Amid Govt Pressure

First Quantum Minerals announced on Thursday that it will halt public tours of its shuttered copper mine in Panama following concerns raised by President José Raúl Mulino that the company should not create the impression that the site remains operational. Speaking at a press conference earlier that day, Mulino clarified that no discussions had taken place with First Quantum regarding the mine’s future. The Panamanian government ordered its closure in late 2023 after widespread public protests over environmental concerns. “I don’t want them to give the impression that the mine… Read More Here
Mali Expects Gold Output Recovery in 2025 Amid Barrick Gold Standoff 22 International Corporate News Gold 

Mali Expects Gold Output Recovery in 2025 Amid Barrick Gold Standoff

Mali anticipates a slight rebound in industrial gold production in 2025, assuming Barrick Gold resumes operations following a prolonged dispute with the government, according to a document from the country’s mines ministry seen by Reuters on Wednesday. Gold production is projected to reach 54.7 metric tons in 2025, up from 51.7 tons in 2024, which marked a 23% decline from previous years. As one of Africa’s leading gold producers, Mali hosts around 15 operational gold mines, primarily owned by Barrick Gold, B2Gold, Resolute Mining, Endeavour Mining, and Hummingbird Resources. Barrick… Read More Here
China’s Exploitation of DRC’s Minerals Sparks U.S. Intervention Calls 23 Mining in DRC 

China’s Exploitation of DRC’s Minerals Sparks U.S. Intervention Calls

In a strong critique of China’s mining operations in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Joseph Mulala Nguramo, a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, accuses China of exploiting African mineral resources through corruption, poor governance, and human rights violations. Citing trade data, Mulala highlights that China-Africa trade volume stands at $282.1 billion, growing at about 1.5% annually. Despite this, China controls nearly 90% of the DRC’s mining sector while failing to support governance reforms or anti-corruption efforts. Instead, Mulala claims China actively engages in corruption… Read More Here
Chinese Ambassador Denies Presence of Legal Chinese Mining Companies in Eastern DRC 24 Mining in DRC 

Chinese Ambassador Denies Presence of Legal Chinese Mining Companies in Eastern DRC

Chinese Ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zhao Bin, has firmly stated that no legally registered Chinese mining companies operate in the eastern provinces of the country. S peaking at the inauguration of the Confucius Institute at the University of Kinshasa, he reaffirmed China’s opposition to illegal mining and called for the exposure of individuals misusing China’s name for illicit activities. “I take this opportunity to reiterate that China firmly opposes any form of illegal mining in eastern Congo. There are no legally registered Chinese companies operating in… Read More Here
Trump Orders Increased U.S. Mineral Production, Raising Questions Over DRC Partnership 25 International 

Trump Orders Increased U.S. Mineral Production, Raising Questions Over DRC Partnership

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced new measures to boost domestic mineral production, including critical minerals, uranium, copper, potash, and gold. The Trump administration stated that the move addresses the “grave” security and economic risks posed by U.S. dependence on foreign mineral supplies, particularly from hostile nations. Under the directive, the Secretary of the Interior and White House economic and security advisers must, within 10 days, identify all federal lands with known mineral deposits. “The Secretary of the Interior shall prioritize mineral production and mining-related activities as primary land uses… Read More Here
Zambia Records First Inflation Decline in Over a Year 26 Mining in Zambia Economy 

Zambia Records First Inflation Decline in Over a Year

For the first time since July 2023, Zambia’s annual inflation rate has declined, offering some much-needed economic relief. Reports indicate that in March 2025, inflation dropped to 16.5%, down from 16.8% in February. The announcement was made by Acting Statistician-General Sheila Mudenda on Thursday in Lusaka. A key driver of the decline was a drop in food prices, particularly for essentials such as bread and cereal. This was largely due to increased rainfall following one of the worst droughts in nearly a century. Food price inflation fell to 18.9% in… Read More Here
LAND-LINKED ZAMBIA CONFERENCE LINKING SECTORS THROUGH TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS 27 Transport and Logistics Sponsored Content 

LAND-LINKED ZAMBIA CONFERENCE LINKING SECTORS THROUGH TRANSPORT AND LOGISTICS

Land linkages play a critical role in Africa’s economic development by facilitating trade, investment, and regional integration. As a continent rich in resources but challenged by infrastructure deficits, Africa’s road networks are critical for connecting markets, reducing costs, and improving the movement of goods and people. Strengthening land linkages has become a key driver for road infrastructure growth, shaping the continent’s future development. Chimwemwe Nyirenda, the Co-Founder and CEO of Africast Zambia Limited, producers of the premier Land-Linked Zambia Conference believes that through a multi- sectorial approach, the Land-Linked conference… Read More Here
Zambia’s CEC to Invest $500 Million in Power Transmission and Solar Expansion 28 Mining in Zambia Energy 

Zambia’s CEC to Invest $500 Million in Power Transmission and Solar Expansion

Zambia’s Copperbelt Energy Corporation (CEC) plans to invest $500 million over the next two years to expand its power transmission infrastructure. The investment will focus on increasing solar power output and doubling the capacity of its crucial transmission line to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). CEC, which operates the only transmission link between the DRC and the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP), intends to raise power transfer capacity from 250 MW to 550 MW. This expansion aims to enhance regional energy security and meet the growing industrial demand in… Read More Here
Zambia Secures $120 Million from World Bank to Boost Digital Infrastructure and Innovation 29 Mining in Zambia Economy 

Zambia Secures $120 Million from World Bank to Boost Digital Infrastructure and Innovation

Zambia has secured $120 million in funding from the World Bank’s Digital Development Partnership to advance its Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) agenda, Minister of Science and Technology Felix Mutati announced. Speaking at the Global Digital Summit in Washington, D.C., Mutati highlighted that the funds will support AI development, expand connectivity, and promote digital skills training. This financial support builds on Zambia’s Digital Zambia Acceleration Project (DZAP), which previously received $100 million from the World Bank to develop a strong digital ecosystem for public service delivery. Mutati emphasized the importance of… Read More Here
Zambia Applauds FQM Minerals for Advancing Gender Equality in Mining 30 Mining in Zambia 

Zambia Applauds FQM Minerals for Advancing Gender Equality in Mining

The Zambian government has commended First Quantum Minerals (FQM) for its ongoing efforts to promote gender equality within the mining sector, ensuring that women and girls have equal opportunities to contribute to the country’s economic development. Speaking at the 2025 International Women’s Day celebrations, under the theme “For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment,” Vice President W.K. Mutale Nalumango praised FQM for creating more job opportunities for women, noting that many women are now employed as equipment operators at the company. Mrs. Nalumango reiterated the government’s commitment to gender-responsive… Read More Here

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