Cobalt

DRC
Washington divided over Dan Gertler audit

US diplomat Amos Hochstein, the White House's special coordinator for energy security, is opposed to an exhaustive audit of Dan Gertler's assets. Several other officials want such a review to take place before sanctions imposed on the Israeli billionaire since 2017 are lifted.

Botswana
China Minmetals invests heavily in Khoemacau copper mine

In March, the MMG subsidiary finalised its $1.73bn takeover of Cuprous Capital, owner of the Khoemacau copper mine in northern Botswana. This is the largest investment made by a Chinese company in the country.

Madagascar
Madagascar in trouble with Tokyo over Ambatovy mining debt

The mining company controlled by Japan's Sumitomo is struggling to recover VAT, the amount of which is the subject of debate between the Japanese embassy and the Malagasy authorities.

DRC
Buenassa builds ties in US to raise funds for cobalt refinery

The Congolese company headed by Eddy Kioni and its partner in the project, Delphos investment fund, have met with several US institutions to raise financing for the $350m copper-cobalt smelter planned in the country's Lualaba province.

DRC
DRC mining execs expected in Tokyo in early April

DR Congo Mines Minister Antoinette N'Samba Kalambayi will bring a large delegation of her country's mining bosses and senior officials with her to Tokyo from 1 to 7 April.

Cameroon
Phoenix Mining and SNI bury the hatchet over Nkamouna cobalt

Geovic Cameroun, operator of the Nkamouna cobalt and nickel project, finally held its annual general shareholders meeting in Yaoundé on 28 and 29 February after months of delays.

Guinea
China and US groups battle for Trans-Guinean contract

A Chinese and a US firm have both positioned themselves respectively on a major contract for the signalling and supply of locomotives for the future Trans-Guinean railway. The French giant Alstom is also taking a quiet interest in the project.

Angola
Africa Global Logistics appoints new Lobito boss

Africa Global Logistics, which has signed the concession contract for the container and multipurpose terminal of Lobito Port, has taken on board African port expert David Reekmans.

Cameroon
Phoenix Mining makes up with Yaoundé over Nkamouna project

The US mining group and its subsidiary Geocam look set to patch things up with the National Investment Corporation of Cameroon after a period of complicated negotiations. They are now gearing up to reboot the Nkamouna cobalt and nickel project.

Angola
Ambassador-less China keeps close eye on Luanda

With Lourenço ostensibly seeking closer relations with Washington, Beijing has yet to appoint an ambassador in Luanda, six months after the departure of Gong Tao.

The New Guard
South Africa, Angola, Zambia

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

South Africa Dire Tladi, first South African judge on ICJ

Angola Elisabete Dias dos Santos, AKA Betty the egg queen

Zambia Mfekiyi Makayi, a miner with an eye on AI

Kenya
Ruto between rock and hard place on mining law reform

After a four-year moratorium, the issuing of new mining permits has revived the debate between the different stakeholders in the sector. Local communities are demanding a fairer share-out of revenues and professional opportunities.

DRC
New mining register boss cracks down on private permits

Popol Mabolia Yenga, who took up his new duties as the head of the DRC’s mining register authority CAMI on 3 August, has adopted a hardline stance towards private citizens holding mining permits.