Bauxite

Botswana
Diamond giant Debswana takes on mining services

On 4 August, Botswana's diamond giant Debswana - a joint venture between the Botswana government and the UK's De Beers Group - quietly established a new subsidiary in Gaborone: Naledi Mining Services. Since the beginning of his term in 2018, President Mokgweetsi Masisi has been working to accelerate the sector's independence from international giants.

The New Guard
Morocco, Guinea, Zimbabwe and Libya

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence reveals the next generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

MoroccoMakhzen keeping tabs on Obaid Amrane's rising star.

GuineaMamadou Diallo, from the embassy to the World Bank.

ZimbabweJohn Paradza, a key player in Mnangagwe's battle for the youth vote.

LibyeKhalid Chaouki, former Italian MP growing his Tripoli business network.

Guinea
Indian firms make bauxite headway

The Indian firm Ashapura is ready to mine one of its bauxite deposits in Guinea, at a time when several of its compatriots are entering the country to begin exploration of the same ore, which is in great demand by Indian industrialists.

Zambia
National mining company ZCCM-IH increasing efforts to target cement market

In addition to supplying cement manufacturers with limestone, state-run ZCCM-IH is looking into building a new gypsum factory, another component of cement, as part of its strategy to diversify beyond copper.

DRC
Despite Tony Blair's insistence, GIP finally says no to the Grand Inga project

The US-based Global Infrastructures Partners, owned by Nigerian businessman Adebayo Ogunlesi, has finally decided not to get involved in the scheme to build vast dams on the mighty Congo river.

Nigeria
Nigeria aspires to become regional bitumen hub

Nigeria's ministry of mines and steel development, which announced earlier this month that it is seeking investors for its 36 bitumen exploration blocks, has given interested parties until 15 June to submit a bid.

Ghana
Foreign group set to invest in Ghana's bauxite development programme

The Ghanaian president's project to revive plans to develop an integrated bauxite-to-aluminium industry in the country is starting to attract would-be investors, including one as yet unidentified European company.

Guinea
Bauxite producer AGB2A's Chinese-Guinean shareholders clarify their alliance

The shareholders of the bauxite producer AGB2A have created a specific entity to clearly define what will be done together and what will be kept separate as part of their consortium.

Sierra Leone
Freetown doubles its efforts to promote diamond potential

Sierra Leone is willing to start analysis of its mineral resources to clarify a study carried out a few months ago and, more importantly, get back in touch with investors.

Mali
Ministry tweaks mining code

Over the past few months, the ministry of mines has been drafting amendments to the country's mining code.

Botswana
Debswana ditches foreign suppliers to stick to Masisi's will

The parastatal firm has begun a complete overhaul of its maintenance and fuel supply contracts. The aim is to squeeze out multinational companies to make room for Botswana-owned businesses.

DRC
With AJN, serial entrepreneur Klaus Eckhof could dig deeper into Manono lithium

The deal AJN Resources has struck with the Congolese state should enable the company and its CEO, the DRC mining-savvy Klaus Eckhof, to start lithium exploration in the Manono area, in addition to gold prospection in the eastern part of the country.

Guinea
AGB2A's battle to produce bauxite

Chinese-Guinean consortium AGB2A has to overcome many obstacles to extract and produce bauxite in Boffa prefecture. A recent conflict between stakeholders is not helping matters.