The Mining Wrap

Mining technology, startups, strategic investment, exploration and critical minerals continue to drive activity across Africa’s mining sector. Recent developments include AI innovation, corporate restructuring, new exploration projects and downstream investments aimed at improving productivity and expanding mineral value addition.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has opened applications for the timbuktoo Pan-African MineTech Startup Incubation Programme, supporting startups developing technology solutions for Africa’s mining sector. Delivered through the timbuktoo MineTech Hub in Zambia, the programme focuses on AI, automation, digital mine management and mine safety. The first cohort begins in July 2026, with applications accepted on a rolling basis.

African Mining Week Expands Focus on Mining Technology

African Mining Week 2026 will place greater emphasis on mining technology, artificial intelligence and digital innovation, bringing together startups, mining companies, investors and technology providers. The event will showcase solutions supporting automation, exploration and digital mine management as technology continues to play a larger role across Africa’s mining industry.

Strategic Deals And Corporate Restructuring

Differential Capital Completes Murray and Roberts Mining Acquisition

Differential Capital’s Special Situations Fund has completed the R1.27 billion acquisition of Murray & Roberts’ mining business, preserving approximately 2,500 jobs. The transaction forms part of the company’s business rescue process and transfers its mining and cementation operations to new ownership, allowing one of Africa’s best-known underground mining contractors to continue operating.

South32 Sells Hillside Aluminium to Alcoa

South32 has agreed to sell its Hillside Aluminium smelter in Richards Bay to Alcoa as part of a transaction valued at up to approximately US$5.6 billion. The move supports South32’s strategy of increasing its exposure to copper and other base metals, while Mozal Aluminium in Mozambique remains outside the agreement because of ongoing power supply challenges.

Sibanye-Stillwater Integrates Platinum Operations

Sibanye-Stillwater is integrating its Lonmin, Rustenburg and Aquarius operations in South Africa by removing historical boundary lines between the neighbouring assets. The restructuring is expected to unlock billions of rand in savings, improve operational efficiencies and extend the productive life of the company’s platinum group metal operations.

Heavy Mobile Equipment and OEM Developments

Liebherr Launches New Dragline for Surface Mining

Liebherr unveiled its new LMD 1200 dragline, designed for demanding surface mining applications. The machine features a variable boom system, simplified relocation between mining areas and a reinforced steel structure aimed at improving reliability in large-scale mining operations.

Schlam Introduces Mining Truck Installation Kit Programme

Mining equipment specialist Schlam launched a new in-house engineered installation kit programme for mining truck beds and buckets. The initiative provides mining companies with complete attachment supply and installation packages designed to simplify fleet upgrades and maintenance

Bell Equipment Sees Higher Demand for Safety-Compliant ADTs

South Africa’s Bell Equipment has reported increased customer demand for its articulated dump trucks as mining companies upgrade fleets to comply with Proximity Detection Systems (PDS) and Collision Avoidance Systems (CAS) requirements. The trend shows continued investment in equipment that improves both regulatory compliance and mine safety.

ESG, Sustainability and Mining Policy

Manganese Metal Company Expands Battery Materials Production

South Africa’s Manganese Metal Company has completed Phase 1 of its Mpumalanga expansion, enabling production of high-purity manganese sulphate (HPMSM) for electric vehicle batteries. The project strengthens South Africa’s position in the battery minerals value chain as global demand for battery materials continues to grow.

Uganda Advances Critical Minerals Reforms

Uganda is implementing reforms under the Mining and Minerals Act to attract investment in graphite, rare earth elements, copper, cobalt and iron ore. The government is streamlining licensing, strengthening the Uganda National Mining Company and promoting local mineral processing ahead of African Mining Week 2026.

Ghana Expands State-Backed Gold Refining

Ghana is expanding its state-backed gold refining capacity to increase local mineral beneficiation and capture more value from its gold production. The initiative forms part of the country’s broader strategy to strengthen domestic mineral processing.

Zimbabwe Licences Second Gold Refinery

Zimbabwe has licensed a second gold refinery to increase domestic refining capacity as gold production continues to grow. The move supports the country’s strategy of expanding local value addition and reducing exports of unrefined gold.

Exploration, Project Development and Mining Services

Ongwe Minerals Secures N$300 Million for Exploration

Namibian mining company Ongwe Minerals has raised approximately N$300 million to expand gold exploration projects in the country’s northwestern region. The funding will support additional exploration activities as the company advances its growing project portfolio.

Kaoko Metals Reports New Copper Discovery In Namibia

SX-listed Kaoko Metals has discovered a new outcrop of copper mineralisation at the Bootless Prospect within its Chalkos Copper-Silver Project in Namibia. The discovery was made during the company’s maiden fieldwork programme and will be followed by additional exploration work.

Qala Shallows Opens New Witwatersrand Gold Mine

Qala Shallows has become the first new underground gold mine developed in South Africa’s Witwatersrand Basin in 15 years. The project marks an important milestone for the country’s gold sector and adds new production capacity to the historic mining region.

Kitumba Copper Project Receives Environmental Approval

Zambia’s Kitumba Copper Project has received environmental approval, allowing the project to move closer to construction and future production. The approval marks an important step for one of the country’s emerging copper developments.

Corica Expands Mining Services Across Mali

Côte d’Ivoire’s Corica Mining Services is expanding its contract mining operations across Mali’s gold and lithium projects. The expansion strengthens the company’s presence in West Africa as demand for specialist mining services continues to grow.

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