The Mining Wrap

This week’s Mining Wrap covers mining technology, critical minerals, mine development, strategic transactions and policy developments from across Africa. Highlights include Rio Tinto’s latest Mining Tech Accelerator, new critical minerals developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi, Epiroc’s acquisition of Eventspec, and Fortuna Mining’s expansion of the Séguéla Gold Mine in Côte d’Ivoire.

Rio Tinto Accelerator Backs Six Mining Tech Startups

Rio Tinto and Founders Factory have selected six startups from more than 500 applicants for their latest Mining Tech Accelerator. The companies are developing technologies covering artificial intelligence, mineral exploration, processing efficiency, operational optimisation and critical minerals. The programme demonstrates how major mining companies are increasingly partnering with external innovators to accelerate technology development and commercial deployment.

Komatsu Advances Surface Mining Autonomy

Komatsu has partnered with AIM Intelligent Machines to accelerate the development of autonomous surface mining equipment and digital operational control systems. The collaboration combines Komatsu’s mining equipment expertise with AIM’s autonomy technologies to improve fleet coordination, operational efficiency and safety as mining companies continue investing in automation.

Critical Minerals and Mine Development

DRC Bans Copper and Cobalt Concentrate Exports

The Democratic Republic of Congo has banned the export of copper and cobalt concentrates with immediate effect as it moves to expand domestic mineral processing and retain more value from its mining sector. The policy encourages producers to process minerals locally before export and forms part of broader efforts to strengthen downstream industries and increase state revenue from critical minerals. While exemptions may be granted in certain cases, the move is expected to prompt mining companies to review their processing and export strategies.

Fortuna Approves 30% Expansion of Séguéla Gold Mine

Fortuna Mining has approved a 30% expansion of its Séguéla Gold Mine in Côte d’Ivoire, increasing processing capacity from 1.75 million tonnes to 2.3 million tonnes per year. The US$109 million project includes plant upgrades and development of the Sunbird underground deposit, with the company targeting average annual gold production of more than 200,000 ounces over the next decade. The expansion supports Fortuna’s strategy to increase consolidated gold production to around 500,000 ounces annually by 2028.

AuKing Expands into Malawi’s Heavy Rare Earth Sector

AuKing Mining has agreed to acquire the Machinga Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE) project in Malawi, marking its entry into one of the fastest-growing segments of the critical minerals market. Heavy rare earth elements are used in permanent magnets, defence technologies and advanced electronics, making them increasingly important to global supply chains. The acquisition broadens AuKing’s critical minerals portfolio while strengthening Malawi’s profile as an emerging destination for strategic mineral exploration.

Heavy Mobile Equipment OEMs

Epiroc Completes Eventspec Acquisition

Epiroc has completed the acquisition of Johannesburg-based mining aftermarket specialist Eventspec following regulatory approval. The acquisition expands Epiroc’s regional capabilities in spare parts, equipment rebuilds and repair services for drill rigs, loaders and mine trucks, strengthening its aftermarket support business across southern Africa.

Strategic Deals and Investment

Zijin Scales Back Allied Gold Deal

Chinese miner Zijin Gold International has abandoned its planned US$4 billion acquisition of Allied Gold after failing to secure final regulatory approval from Chinese authorities. Instead, the company will invest US$295 million for a 9.2% minority stake, providing funding for Allied Gold’s operations in Mali, Côte d’Ivoire and Ethiopia. The revised transaction signals a more cautious approach to large cross-border mining acquisitions while allowing Zijin to maintain exposure to African gold assets without taking full ownership.

Copper 360 Appoints Neal Froneman as Chairperson

Copper 360 has appointed former Sibanye-Stillwater CEO Neal Froneman as chairperson, succeeding Rupert Smith. Froneman brings decades of mining leadership experience as the company advances its copper operations in South Africa’s Northern Cape. His appointment is expected to support Copper 360’s production growth strategy and long-term development plans.

Policy and Industry Developments

Gabon Secures €312 Million to Expand Mining Rail Capacity

Gabon has secured a €312 million financing package to upgrade the Transgabonais railway, a key transport corridor for the country’s mining sector. The investment will expand rail capacity for iron ore, manganese and other mineral exports, improve logistics efficiency and support future mine development by strengthening the infrastructure needed to move minerals to international markets.

Zambia’s Copper Expansion Hinges on Stable Mining Policy

With Zambia heading to the polls on 13 August, mining companies are urging the next government to maintain policy stability as the country pursues its target of producing three million tonnes of copper annually. Industry leaders are calling for faster exploration licensing, greater investment in power generation, improved transport infrastructure and incentives for downstream mineral processing. Although more than US$10 billion has been invested in Zambia’s copper sector since 2021, electricity shortages remain one of the industry’s biggest challenges.

Botswana and Côte d’Ivoire Deepen Mining Cooperation

Botswana and Côte d’Ivoire have signed a cooperation agreement covering mining and energy, with a focus on geological research, mineral exploration, diamonds, gold and critical minerals. The partnership will enable Côte d’Ivoire to draw on Botswana’s experience in mining governance and sector development as it works towards increasing the mining and energy sector’s contribution to GDP from 7% in 2022 to 14% by 2040.

Black Rock Advances Mahenge Graphite Project Towards Construction

Black Rock Mining has completed key early works at its Mahenge Graphite Project in Tanzania, preparing the development for construction. Progress includes access road compensation, power infrastructure planning and site readiness activities, reducing development risk ahead of a final investment decision and project financing. The company says the early works programme will support a smoother transition into full-scale construction once funding is secured.

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