President Hichilema Warns Against Fuel Hoarding Amid Global Energy Crisis
Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema warned oil‑marketing firms that hoarding fuel creates artificial shortages, despite the country holding 30‑60 days of reserves. He linked the issue to the broader Middle East conflict that is tightening global energy supplies. The administration announced a new fuel‑pipeline project, greater private‑sector involvement, and a shift toward positioning Zambia as a land‑linked hub via corridors like Lobito and Walvis Bay. Additionally, a real‑time engagement platform will be created to address supply‑chain disputes promptly.
Tenke Fungurume Mining Rejects Environmental Report Findings
Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM) rejected the Environmental Investigation Agency’s March 9 report, labeling its conclusions factually inaccurate and based on unsupported assumptions. TFM highlighted its dual monitoring framework—continuous active sensors combined with monthly passive assessments—and asserted that sulfur‑dioxide emissions stayed...
China Issues Advisory as Zimbabwe Restricts Lithium and Raw Mineral Exports
The Chinese embassy in Zimbabwe issued an advisory warning its investors about new government restrictions on raw mineral exports, especially lithium concentrates. Zimbabwe’s policy aims to shift from exporting unprocessed ores to fostering domestic processing, adding value and creating jobs....
Rome Resources Reports High-Grade Tin Results at Kalayi Prospect in DRC
Rome Resources announced that its ongoing drilling program at the Kalayi prospect in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has confirmed near‑surface high‑grade tin mineralisation. The campaign has recovered roughly 2,700 m of core and produced intercepts such as 1 m grading...
DRC Moves to Approve Chemaf Sale to US Firm Virtus Minerals
The Democratic Republic of the Congo is poised to approve the sale of mining firm Chemaf to U.S.-based Virtus Minerals. Under the deal, Virtus will pay $30 million for equity and commit roughly $750 million to revive the stalled Mutoshi copper‑cobalt project,...
Zambia Strengthens Sustainable Gold Mining Through Landmark ZCCM-IH and planetGOLD Partnership
Zambia’s state‑owned ZCCM Investments Holdings has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UN‑backed planetGOLD Zambia Project to formalize the artisanal and small‑scale gold mining (ASGM) sector. The partnership will create a transparent off‑take system, introduce mercury‑free processing technologies, and...
Trafigura Partners with Venezuela’s Minerven to Launch Responsible Gold Sourcing Program
Trafigura has entered a pre‑payment agreement with Venezuela’s state‑run miner Minerven to purchase 650 kg to 1 ton of gold doré under a new responsible sourcing programme. The deal follows a U.S. Treasury licence that lifts sanctions on Minerven’s gold, allowing exports...
GLOBELEQ CONFIRMS ACQUISITION OF A MAJORITY STAKE IN ZAMBIA’S LUNSEMFWA HYDRO POWER COMPANY
Globeleq has completed the purchase of a 51% equity stake in Zambia’s Lunsemfwa Hydro Power Company, acquiring control of two hydro plants totaling 56 MW. The acquisition adds a hydro portfolio to Globeleq’s predominantly solar, wind and battery assets and opens...
Africa’s Critical Minerals Gain Strategic Importance as Global Demand Intensifies
Africa is emerging as a strategic source of rare earths and critical minerals as the United States seeks alternatives to China-dominated processing. The continent hosts vast deposits, including DRC cobalt, Zimbabwe lithium, and new rare‑earth projects in Namibia, Tanzania, and...
Declining Exploration Spending Threatens the Future of South Africa’s Mining Industry
South Africa's mineral exploration spending fell for the seventh consecutive year, dropping 5.3% in 2025 to 738 million rand (about $44 million) at constant 2015 prices. Over the past 30 years, total exploration investment has slumped more than 85%, signaling waning investor confidence....
Zambia to Allocate 8,000 Hectares at Kikonge Gold Site to Over 500 Artisanal Miners in Mufumbwe
Zambia’s Ministry of Mines will allocate roughly 8,000 hectares at the Kikonge gold site to more than 500 artisanal miners, organized into cooperatives. Each cooperative is slated to receive about six hectares, enabling regulated, government‑overseen mining. The move follows a...
DRC Seeks Stronger Investment Partnerships With Major Mining Companies
The Democratic Republic of the Congo announced a push to deepen partnerships with major miners Glencore, CMOC Group and Ivanhoe Mines. The government aims to spur additional capital spending, modernize facilities and lift mineral output amid copper production above 3 million...
Zambia Diesel Shortage Linked to Pipeline Supply Delays, NOMA Says
The National Oil Marketing Association (NOMA) says Zambia’s diesel shortage stems from delayed releases through the TAZAMA pipeline, not from oil marketers hoarding fuel. Diesel volumes entering the market have fallen short of expectations, and no allocation has been made...
Alphamin Boosts Tin Production to 18,576 Tonnes in 2025
Alphamin Resources reported a 7% rise in tin output for 2025, reaching 18,576 tonnes and aligning with its revised guidance. Despite a March security‑driven shutdown, the miner posted a pro‑forma annualized production rate of roughly 20,000 tonnes. EBITDA surged 25%...
Jubilee Metals Secures $1.8M Copper Feed Deal in Zambia
Jubilee Metals Group has agreed to purchase high‑grade copper ore for its Roan Concentrator in Zambia, a $1.8 million deal settled by issuing 29.76 million new shares at a 14.3% premium. The supplied ore averages 1.65% copper, which should improve recovery rates...
DRC Govt Reviews Oil Market Risks With Petroleum Distributors
The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Deputy Prime Minister Daniel Mukoko Samba met with the Professional Group of Petroleum Product Distributors on March 10, 2026 to assess global oil market volatility. The discussion focused on the recent Brent crude surge...
DRC and TotalEnergies Discuss Strategic Ruzizi III Hydropower Project
The Democratic Republic of Congo and TotalEnergies met in Kinshasa to review the Ruzizi III hydropower project, a 206‑megawatt plant slated to supply electricity to both the DRC and Burundi. Officials highlighted technical and administrative challenges that must be resolved to...
DRC Pushes for $1 Billion World Bank Financing to Accelerate Lobito Corridor Development
The Democratic Republic of Congo has asked the World Bank for about $1 billion to fund the Lobito Corridor, a trans‑regional transport link to the Angolan port of Lobito. Minister John Banza Lunda announced an ad‑hoc technical commission to finalize the...
ARSP Orders Cancellation of Irregular Subcontracting Contracts at Matadi Gateway Terminal
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Regulatory Authority for Subcontracting in the Private Sector (ARSP) ordered the cancellation of roughly fifty subcontracting contracts between Matadi Gateway Terminal (MGT) and firms that were not registered under Congolese law. The audit, conducted in...
Congo Expands State Gold Trading to Strengthen National Reserves
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s state‑owned DRC Gold Trading aims to purchase up to 15 metric tons of artisanal gold by 2026, after the government assumed full ownership in 2024. A February agreement gives the Central Bank of Congo priority...
Fortescue Acquires Alta Copper to Secure Full Ownership of Cañariaco Project in Peru
Fortescue has completed the acquisition of Alta Copper, securing 100% ownership of the Cañariaco copper project in northern Peru. The deal, executed through a Canadian plan of arrangement, valued the equity at roughly C$139 million. Cañariaco spans about 91 square kilometres within...
Rome Resources Expands Critical Minerals Strategy with New Exploration Projects in Canada
London-listed Rome Resources has signed an option to acquire working interests in two early‑stage mineral licences covering over 109 km² near New Brunswick’s historic Mount Pleasant Mine. The Three Lakes and Schoullar Mountain projects host tin, tungsten and indium occurrences, with...
Tenke Fungurume Mine Accused of Polluting Air and Harming Communities in DR C
The Environmental Investigation Agency and PremiCongo released the "Toxic Transition" report accusing CMOC’s Tenke Fungurume Mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo of emitting pollutants that may be harming nearby residents. The study, based on more than 1,200 anonymized medical...
DRC Boosts Oil Revenue and Fights Fraud with Innovative Fuel Traceability Program
The Democratic Republic of Congo has launched a molecular marking program for petroleum products, using invisible chemical tracers to track fuel from import to retail. Partnering with Authentix Inc., the initiative aims to curb smuggling and improve tax compliance. Early...
Tin Market Volatility Intensifies as Global Demand for Strategic Metals Grows
Tin prices surged to a projected $54,925 per ton for the week of March 9‑14 2026, according to the DRC’s National Market Commission, while Boursorama data on March 10 showed a daily dip to $48,275 per ton, underscoring sharp volatility. The metal’s small...
Illegal Mining and Child Labor Concerns Raised in Bas-Uélé Province
Congolese entrepreneur Obed Mutuale warned that illegal artisanal mining is booming in Bas‑Uélé province, with under‑age children increasingly employed at hazardous sites. During a Jan. 18‑25 visit, he called on the DRC central government to intervene urgently, citing weak state oversight...
Zambia and UK Sign Debt Restructuring Deal Under G20 Framework
Zambia and the United Kingdom have signed an amendment that reduces Zambia's outstanding debt to the UK from $291 million to about $277 million and pushes the final repayment deadline from 2032 to 2043. The deal is part of Zambia’s broader debt‑restructuring...
MMG Eyes New Copper Projects in DRC as Global Expansion Strategy Accelerates
MMG Limited is actively scouting advanced copper projects in Africa, with a focus on the Democratic Republic of Congo, to broaden its portfolio amid soaring demand for energy‑transition metals. The miner’s 2025 results showed net profit soaring to $509 million, a...
Congolese Geology Team Wins Global Recognition at PDAC 2026
A team of young Congolese geologists from the University of Kinshasa, known as Bana Kongo, earned the Impact and Exploration Award at the Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) 2026 Next Generation Explorers competition. Competing against roughly 40 international...
Zambia Ranks Third Most Attractive Mining Investment Destination in Africa
Zambia has risen to become the third‑most attractive mining investment destination in Africa, trailing only Botswana and Morocco, according to the Fraser Institute’s 2025 Annual Survey. Globally, the country improved to 25th place on the Investment Attractiveness Index, up from...
ZIMEC 2026 to Examine Zambia’s Mining and Energy Transition at a Pivotal Moment for Investment and Reform
The 13th Zambia International Mining and Energy Conference (ZIMEC 2026) will convene March 25‑26 in Kitwe, bringing together government officials, financiers, and global mining experts to chart Zambia’s mining and energy transition. With mining accounting for roughly 70% of export...
Zambian Govt Reaffirms Support for Sustainable Artisanal Mining in Central Province
Zambia’s Ministry of Mines and Minerals Development reaffirmed its commitment to legal, organised and sustainable artisanal small‑scale mining (ASM) in Central Province. The government, together with district authorities, traditional leaders and security agencies, will enforce regulations and expand a land‑facilitation...
French Delegation Explores Investment Opportunities at Kalumbila Multi-Facility Economic Zone
A high‑level French embassy delegation toured Zambia’s Kalumbila Multi‑Facility Economic Zone to assess investment prospects in the country’s mining supply chain. Hosted by First Quantum Minerals, the visit highlighted the zone’s 5,000‑hectare footprint, fiscal incentives and ready infrastructure. Kalumbila MFEZ’s...
Bridge Collapse Disrupts DRC’s Key Copper Export Route
Severe flooding caused a bridge collapse near the Kasumbalesa border crossing, halting the main copper export corridor between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. The blockage stopped trucks carrying copper and cobalt, threatening the flow of these critical minerals...
DRC Showcases Strategy for Industrialisation and Value Addition at PDAC 2026
At PDAC 2026, the Democratic Republic of the Congo unveiled a strategy to convert its vast mineral endowment into an industrial engine, emphasizing local processing and value‑addition. The government highlighted a $29 billion Iron Mines of the Great East corridor, upcoming...
Botswana Advances Copper Beneficiation with Planned Khoemacau Refinery Study
Botswana’s government announced a feasibility study to assess a copper refinery linked to MMG’s Khoemacau expansion. The mine has already shipped about 587,000 tonnes of copper concentrate, containing roughly 177,000 tonnes of copper, and aims to boost concentrate output to...
KCM Charts a New Era of Investment, Modernisation and Growth
Konkola Copper Mines (KCM) has poured roughly $600 million into its Zambian operations since Vedanta Resources returned, prioritising underground development, infrastructure rehabilitation and AI‑driven safety systems. The capital injection has created more than 2,000 jobs, expanding the workforce to over 14,000...
Zambia Strengthens Energy Security with Approval of Two Strategic Cross-Border Pipelines
Zambia’s cabinet approved two cross‑border pipelines—the Tanzania‑Zambia Multi‑Products Pipeline and the Namibia‑Zambia Refined Petroleum and Natural Gas Pipeline—to diversify fuel imports and reduce reliance on the decades‑old TAZAMA line. The projects aim to create supply redundancy, improve pricing competitiveness, and...
Rwanda Opens New Mining Blocks to Boost Investment in Strategic Minerals
Rwanda’s mining authority has opened a second tranche of ten exploration blocks covering tin, tantalum, tungsten, lithium, beryllium and gemstones. The government expects more than 70 applications, aiming to double the interest seen in the 2025 round. Investors must register...
DRC’s Cobalt Quotas Reshape the Global Critical Metals Market
The Democratic Republic of the Congo announced strict cobalt export quotas—18,125 tonnes for Q4 2025 and 96,600 tonnes for 2026—while reserving 10% of production as a strategic stockpile. The policy, aimed at curbing smuggling, stabilising prices and capturing more domestic value,...
Serval Resources Launches 2026 Exploration Programme in Botswana’s Kalahari Copper Belt
Serval Resources has launched its 2026 exploration programme on two licences owned by Kalahari Copper Limited (KCL) in Botswana’s Kalahari Copper Belt, following a conditional agreement to acquire KCL. The first activity is a ground magnetic survey on licence PL061,...
SACIM Completes First Antwerp Diamond Sale in Over a Decade
SACIM completed its first public auction of industrial diamonds in Antwerp, selling 288,000 carats between 16‑20 February 2026. The sale involved 67 international buyers from China, India, the United States and Italy, marking the return of Congolese diamonds to the...
China Lithium Prices Surge as Zimbabwe Suspends Raw Mineral Exports
China’s lithium carbonate futures surged after Zimbabwe suspended all raw mineral and lithium concentrate exports. The Guangzhou Futures Exchange contract jumped 6.07% to 178,020 yuan, having peaked above 9% earlier in the session. Zimbabwe, the continent’s top lithium producer, shipped...
Ghana to Channel Artisanal Gold Into Formal Trade to Boost Revenue
Ghana announced an artisanal and small‑scale mining (ASM) gold formalisation programme that will channel roughly 127 metric tons of gold per year into official trade. The Ghana Gold Board, via the newly created GoldBod, will purchase a minimum of 2.45 tons weekly,...
Tshisekedi Prioritises Gold Sector Reform to Boost State Revenue
President Félix Tshisekedi announced a comprehensive reform of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's gold sector, targeting the massive revenue loss from smuggling and informal trade. The plan, presented at a Council of Ministers meeting on 20 February 2026, seeks...
Zambia and France Deepen Mining Sector Cooperation
Zambia and France have agreed to deepen cooperation in the mining sector, focusing on sustainable development and transparency. The French delegation, led by Thomas Rossignol, pledged technical support to strengthen Zambia’s Minerals Regulation Commission, including modern monitoring and enforcement technologies. The...
Artificial Intelligence Could Reduce Drilling by a Factor of Five – Jef Caers, Stanford University Expert
Stanford geoscience professor Jef Caers announced that artificial‑intelligence‑driven "intelligent agents" could slash mineral‑exploration drilling by up to five‑fold. The system plans sequential drilling to test and falsify human geological hypotheses, targeting uncertainty reduction rather than exhaustive grid sampling. By focusing...
DRC Govt Condemns Artisanal Mine Collapse in Lualaba, Calls for Urgent Safety Measures
On February 24, a collapse at an artisanal mine on the outskirts of Kolwezi in Lualaba Province killed several Algerian workers, prompting Prime Minister Judith Suminwa to condemn the tragedy and pledge stronger safety oversight. She cited a December 2025 ministerial report...
Lualaba Showcased Cobalt Leadership and Sustainable Vision at Mining Indaba 2026
At Mining Indaba 2026 in Cape Town, Lualaba province positioned itself as the world’s leading cobalt producer, emphasizing its pivotal role in the energy transition. Governor Fifi Masuka Saini highlighted the region’s stable, investment‑friendly governance and alignment with international mining...
DRC Mineral Export Prices Decline, Tin Records Steepest Weekly Drop
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s mineral export prices are set to fall in the week of Feb 23‑28, 2026, with tin posting the steepest decline to $48,089 per ton, a $1,667 drop from the prior week. Copper, gold, and zinc also...