The Mining Wrap

This week’s Mining Wrap covers mining investment, exploration, ESG, equipment, acquisitions and critical-mineral developments across Africa. Highlights include Exxaro’s push to increase the contribution of future-facing metals and energy, new copper exploration in Botswana, Kamoa Copper’s US$16.9 million community investment in the DRC, and South Korea’s US$1 billion financing arrangement with Glencore.

Hitachi Construction Machinery Zambia has partnered with the Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority to strengthen industry-aligned skills development. The programme includes 85 work-based learning opportunities for young people.

Mining Technology and Energy

Weir Minerals Targets Lower Energy Use at Ivanhoe’s Platreef

Weir Minerals is deploying high-pressure grinding rolls (HPGR) and Cavex CVD hydrocyclone systems at Ivanhoe Mines’ Platreef project in South Africa. The technology is expected to reduce comminution energy intensity by about 40%, lowering the energy requirements associated with processing.

Metalkol Approves Damen CSD500 for DRC Operations

Metalkol has completed technical acceptance of a customised Damen CSD500 cutter suction dredger for its mining operations in the DRC. The dredger has been configured for a 16-metre dredging depth and will be transported to the DRC in modules for assembly at the mining site.

Electra Mining Africa Showcases New Mining Technologies

Electra Mining Africa is showcasing equipment, automation, digitalisation, energy-efficiency and other technologies for mining operations. The event brings mining companies, equipment manufacturers and technology providers together to demonstrate technologies targeting productivity, safety and operating efficiency.

Mining Investment and Corporate

Exxaro Targets Future-Facing Investments for More Than Half of Earnings

Exxaro Resources wants its energy and future-facing metal investments to contribute more than 50% of group earnings by 2030. The company reported its first-half 2026 results on 20 August and also opened a R36 million agricultural facility in Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape, as part of its diversification and community investment programme.

Thungela Reports R2.6 Billion Operating Cash Flow

Thungela Resources generated R2.6 billion in operating cash flow during the first half of 2026 after R705 million in sustaining capital expenditure. Improved rail performance and additional export allocation supported the company’s coal export performance during the period.

Botswana Targets New Mining Investment Beyond Diamonds

Botswana is seeking new investment in copper, nickel, gold, silver and other minerals as it looks to diversify its mining sector beyond diamonds. The government is promoting exploration across areas including the Kalahari Copper Belt, Selebi-Phikwe Belt and Tati Greenstone Belt.

Zambia’s Copper Boom Could Drive US$1 Billion IPO Pipeline

Zambia’s growing copper sector could support up to US$1 billion in initial public offerings as mining companies look to raise capital through the country’s securities exchange. The potential listings come as Zambia works to increase copper production and attract more investment into the sector.

Exploration and Mine Development

Arc Minerals Selects Drilling Contractor for Botswana Copper Project

Arc Minerals has appointed G D E Botswana Drilling & Exploration to carry out a phased drilling programme at its Virgo copper project in Botswana. The programme is expected to exceed 6,000 metres and will test targets along about 14 kilometres of the D’kar-Ngwako Pan Formation contact in the Kalahari Copper Belt.

DRC Advances Musompo Battery Precursor Zone

The Democratic Republic of Congo is advancing plans for the Musompo battery precursor zone, which is intended to support the processing of copper, cobalt and other minerals. The development forms part of the country’s efforts to expand domestic processing and capture more value from its mineral resources.

ESG and Sustainability

Kamoa Copper Commits US$16.9 Million to Mutshatsha

Kamoa Copper has committed US$16.855 million to five community development projects in Mutshatsha Territory, Lualaba Province, under a new 2026–2030 social and community development agreement. The programme focuses on healthcare, education, water access, agricultural productivity and local economic activity, with projects developed through consultations between the company and local communities.

Samancor Chrome Faces Scrutiny After Dikwena Incident

Samancor Chrome’s Dikwena operation near Brits remains under scrutiny following the collapse of a tailings dam wall on 16 August. The incident has raised concerns around tailings infrastructure, environmental controls and water-risk management.

Fortuna Secures Environmental Approval for Senegal Gold Project

Fortuna Mining’s Diamba Sud Gold Project in Senegal has received approval for its Environmental and Social Impact Assessment from the country’s Ministry of Environment and Ecological Transition. The approval confirms the project’s compliance with environmental requirements and is a key step towards securing the mining permit. Fortuna has already started early construction works, including camp development and procurement of critical equipment, while advancing the project’s feasibility study.

Heavy Mobile Equipment OEMs

XCMG Accelerates Green Mining Equipment Deliveries

Chinese equipment manufacturer XCMG is accelerating deliveries of green-mining surface machinery and construction equipment into markets including Angola and Mozambique. The expansion adds to the company’s growing presence in African mining markets.

Sandvik Secures Underground Fleet Orders at Karowe

Sandvik has secured fleet deployment orders for underground operations at Botswana’s Karowe mine as the operation advances its transition to underground mining. The order expands Sandvik’s equipment presence at the diamond mine.

Acquisitions and Mergers

Neo Energy Clears Regulatory Hurdle for South African Uranium Acquisition

Neo Energy Metals has moved closer to acquiring the New Beisa uranium and gold project in South Africa after Sibanye-Stillwater received the required Section 11 consent from Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe. The approval is the first of three regulatory steps required to complete the transaction, with further approvals needed before the mining right can be transferred to Neo Energy. The company is targeting first gold production in December 2027, followed by uranium.

AuKing Mining Agrees to Acquire Tusker Minerals’ Malawi Business

AuKing Mining has signed a binding agreement to acquire 100% of Green Exploration, the Malawian subsidiary of Tusker Minerals, for total consideration of up to A$4.85 million. The deal gives AuKing control of the Machinga heavy rare earths project, along with the Ngala Hill, Salambidwe and Karonga projects, expanding its exposure to rare earths, copper and other critical minerals in Malawi.

South Korea Commits US$1 Billion to Glencore for Copper Supplies

South Korea’s Export-Import Bank is providing US$1 billion in financing to Glencore under an arrangement linked to copper supplies for South Korean companies. The deal has a direct African connection through Glencore’s copper operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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