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Angola’s President Takes AU Helm Amid Rising Regional Crises 1 Governance 

Angola’s President Takes AU Helm Amid Rising Regional Crises

Constance
Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço officially assumed the rotating presidency of the African Union (AU) for 2025 on Saturday, February 15, succeeding Mauritania’s Mohamed Ould Cheikh Ghazouani. The transition took place during the opening of the 38th AU Summit at the organization’s headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. In a formal ceremony attended by several heads of state, outgoing AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, and other dignitaries, Lourenço received the symbolic gavel from Ghazouani, signifying his leadership role at the continental level until February 2026. According to an official… Read More Here
Tshisekedi Accuses Rwanda of Fueling Conflict in Eastern DRC for Control of 3T Minerals 2 Mining in DRC Regional conflict 

Tshisekedi Accuses Rwanda of Fueling Conflict in Eastern DRC for Control of 3T Minerals

Constance
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on February 14, DRC President Félix Tshisekedi accused Rwanda of destabilizing eastern DRC to exploit its vast reserves of 3T minerals—tungsten, tin, and tantalum—which are critical for modern technology production. Tshisekedi denounced Rwanda’s territorial claims over parts of North and South Kivu, particularly Masisi and Rutshuru, labeling them an “aberration” aimed at justifying its ongoing illegal mining operations. He highlighted the Rubaya mine in Masisi, a key source of coltan and other 3T ores, as a primary target of Rwandan-backed forces. He further stated:… Read More Here
DRC Declares Mining Sites in North and South Kivu as High-Risk Zones 3 Mining in DRC 

DRC Declares Mining Sites in North and South Kivu as High-Risk Zones

Constance
The Minister of Mines, Kizito Pakabombe, has issued a ministerial order, signed on February 12, 2025, classifying certain mining sites in Masisi (North Kivu) and Kalehe (South Kivu) as “Red” zones due to security concerns and illicit mineral trade. The decree cites two main reasons for this decision: Details of the Ministerial Order The reclassification follows a United Nations Group of Experts report published on December 27, 2024, which confirmed that armed groups in eastern DRC, backed by a foreign national army, are exploiting mining sites to fund their activities.… Read More Here
DRC Central Bank Reports Copper Price Rise Amid Global Trade Adjustments 4 Mining in DRC Copper 

DRC Central Bank Reports Copper Price Rise Amid Global Trade Adjustments

Constance
The Central Bank of Congo (BCC) has released its latest economic outlook, covering the period from January 31 to February 7, 2025. The report highlights fluctuations in key commodity prices, reflecting global market dynamics and geopolitical influences. Copper prices rose to $9,412.75 per tonne, marking a 3.68% weekly increase. The report attributes this rise to improved market confidence following the U.S. administration’s decision to postpone new customs duties on imports from key trade partners, including Canada, Mexico, and China. On a year-to-date basis, copper prices have gained 7.10%. In contrast,… Read More Here
Middlemen Divert Billions from DRC’s Cobalt and Coltan Trade 5 Mining in DRC Cobalt 

Middlemen Divert Billions from DRC’s Cobalt and Coltan Trade

Constance
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the world’s leading producer of cobalt, loses nearly $1 billion annually to illegal trade, fueling conflict and deepening poverty, according to political analyst Oluwole Ojewale of the Institute for Security Studies. The DRC supplies 70% of the world’s cobalt, essential for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy projects. However, most of its production comes from 150,000 to 200,000 artisanal miners, with over a million people depending on their work. Operating in North and South Kivu, these miners extract minerals under harsh conditions, while middlemen… Read More Here
Barrick Gold Weighs U.S. Relocation for Greater Market Access 6 International Corporate News Gold 

Barrick Gold Weighs U.S. Relocation for Greater Market Access

Constance
Toronto-based Barrick Gold (NYSE: GOLD; TSX: ABX) is considering relocating its corporate domicile from Canada to the United States, CEO Mark Bristow told The Globe and Mail. The move could provide greater market efficiency, attract a wider investor base, and position the company for inclusion in the S&P 500 index, triggering automatic purchases by mutual funds and exchange-traded funds. Barrick’s most significant asset is Nevada Gold Mines, a joint venture with Newmont (TSX: NGT; NYSE, ASX: NEM), in which Barrick holds a 61.5% stake. It is the world’s largest gold-producing… Read More Here
Peru’s Copper Output Declines for First Time in Four Years 7 Copper International 

Peru’s Copper Output Declines for First Time in Four Years

Constance
Peru’s copper production in 2024 totaled 2,736,150 metric tons, marking a 0.7% decline from 2023, according to the country’s mining ministry. This drop ends four consecutive years of post-pandemic recovery. Industry analysts had anticipated stable production of around 2.8 million metric tons for both 2024 and 2025, citing declining ore grades and a lack of new projects. The Democratic Republic of the Congo surpassed Peru as the world’s second-largest copper producer in 2023, though Congo has yet to release its full-year figures for 2024. Despite the overall decline, Peru’s copper… Read More Here
Barrick Gold’s Dispute with Mali Remains Unresolved as Talks Stall 8 International Gold 

Barrick Gold’s Dispute with Mali Remains Unresolved as Talks Stall

Constance
Negotiations between Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD)(TSX:ABX) and the Malian government over a prolonged dispute regarding payments from the country’s largest gold mine have been suspended without a resolution. Mali is demanding a settlement of 125 billion CFA francs ($197 million) from the Canadian mining giant, Bloomberg News reported, citing local sources. Additionally, the government insists that Barrick comply with its revised mining code, which increases the state’s share of mining revenues and removes tax exemptions. The Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex, developed under CEO Mark Bristow’s leadership at Randgold before its 2018 merger… Read More Here
First Quantum’s Cobre Panama Arbitration Delayed to 2026 9 Corporate News Copper International 

First Quantum’s Cobre Panama Arbitration Delayed to 2026

Constance
First Quantum Minerals announced on Tuesday that the final hearing for the Cobre Panama mine arbitration under the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has been postponed to February 2026 from its previously scheduled date in September 2024. The Cobre Panama mine, one of the world’s largest copper producers, was shut down in November 2023 after Panama’s Supreme Court ruled its contract unconstitutional. Widespread environmental protests further pressured authorities to close the operation. The Canadian miner stated that the Panamanian government requested an extension of its arbitration submission deadlines due to… Read More Here
First Quantum Takes Cautious Approach to Selling Zambian Mine Stake 10 Mining in Zambia Copper Corporate News 

First Quantum Takes Cautious Approach to Selling Zambian Mine Stake

Constance
First Quantum Minerals is in no rush to sell a minority stake in its Zambian copper mines, CFO Ryan MacWilliam told analysts following the company’s fourth-quarter results. The Toronto-based miner aims to secure a long-term partner but has set no fixed timeline for the sale. “We have been consistent throughout that any arrangements we enter into in Zambia will be for the next 25 years,” MacWilliam stated. “It’s really about getting the right agreement rather than a quick agreement.” Saudi Arabian mining firm Manara is reportedly in advanced discussions to… Read More Here

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