Copper

Spotlight | DRC
US junior Copper Intelligence trades on Trump proactivity to expand ambitions

Capitalising on the White House's appetite for strategic raw materials, the US mining company is trying to raise funds to develop several copper deposits close to the fighting in eastern DRC.

Subscribers only Mining 26.08.2026

Copper plates earmarked for export at Kamoa site, close to Kolwezi, DRC, in May 2026

Zambia
Lusaka courts Wuxi Jiangnan Cable to process copper locally

Senior staff of the Chinese firm, a heavyweight in the electric cable industry, will visit Lusaka in September to meet with government organisations to prepare its entry into Zambia.

Subscribers only Mining, Business 27.07.2026

Spotlight | Africa
As Tokyo overhauls Africa strategy, groundwork begins for next TICAD summit

Japan has begun preparing the next edition of the TICAD conference, scheduled for August 2028. The event is expected to be held in Abidjan, which would be its first edition in French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa. The preparations come at a time when Tokyo is renewing its approach on the continent, now targeted towards defence and strategic interests.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 23.07.2026

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Évian, France, on 17 June 2026.

Zambia
The Chamber of Mines calls for a tax niche to boost exploration

Industry professionals are once again proposing a mining tax reform to stimulate copper production. The recent improvement of Zambian finances could pave the way for a green light.

Subscribers only Mining 15.07.2026

Copper mine employees in Kitwe, Zambia, in October 2018.

Zambia
Frank Garcia to discuss Lusaka case during visit to Abidjan

Donald Trump's new secretary of state for African affairs is due to hold talks with Zambian representatives in the Ivorian city. The initiative aims to ease tensions between Washington and the southern African country over a health deal involving mining concessions.

Subscribers only Mining, Diplomacy 09.07.2026

DRC
Kinshasa's curious $205m debt to Abu Dhabi

Félix Tshisekedi's government owes over $200m to the United Arab Emirates, with which it has developed close ties. The government has chosen not to include this debt in its public accounts, and it may be linked to the purchase of military equipment.

Subscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 03.07.2026

Zambia
TotalEnergies to finally bring solar and wind project with First Quantum to fruition

The French energy giant's project, which has been on hold since 2022 and is intended to supply the country's largest copper mine, is at last set to get underway following an agreement reached with the Zambian authorities.

Free access Energy, Mining, Diplomacy 18.06.2026

The Kansanshi copper mine in Zambia’s Eastern Province, in November 2012.

Kenya
$70m battle erupts over fluorite mining project

Senior Ruto allies are locked in a dispute over compensation for 4,000 residents displaced by the revival of a fluorite mine. The Treasury is resisting payouts, while the cabinet secretary for the interior is seeking to shore up support in his political stronghold.

Subscribers only Mining 16.06.2026

Kenyan President William Ruto (left) and Cabinet Secretary for Treasury John Mbadi.

Angola, Zimbabwe
Businessman Pedro Soco's regional commodity push from Luanda to Harare

Based in Cape Town, the Angolan entrepreneur wants to expand his logistics trading activities in minerals and hydrocarbons in Zimbabwe, where he has been in talks with the authorities. As in Angola, he is offering public partners pre-financing in exchange for a portion of their future production.

Subscribers only Mining, Commodity Traders 29.05.2026

DRC
Chinese firm Chengtun Mining lying in wait for strategic Gécamines permit

The mining group is trying to secure a $300m deal in the Lualaba province. In its sights is a Gécamines mining licence recently transferred to an Emirati operator.

Subscribers only Mining 21.05.2026

Spotlight | Mauritania
French groups step up courtship of Nouakchott

The Mauritanian president's state visit to Paris in April helped cement a series of existing projects while also highlighting fresh opportunities in maritime security, energy and mining. These are attracting growing interest from French companies.

Subscribers only Business 19.05.2026

Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani during his state visit to Paris, France, 15 April 2026.

DRC
ERG's bid to regain control of its permits faces deadlock

The Kazakh mining giant is scrambling to regain control of its copper and cobalt permits, where illegal diggers backed by powerful networks have entrenched themselves across its sites. Chinese businessmen and senior military and political figures are involved.

Subscribers only Mining 12.05.2026

Artisanal mining of copper and cobalt near Kolwezi, in the DRC, 2016.

Madagascar
Future law on major mining investments explained

A draft bill on key mining projects is being considered that would impose stricter requirements on major international mining investors in the country and bolster the safeguards granted to them. Africa Intelligence reveals the content of the reform, largely inspired by World Bank recommendations.

Subscribers only Mining 08.05.2026

The Ilakaka sapphire mine, in Madagascar, on 21 June 2019.

Zambia
Makor Resources prepares fundraising for copper project co-owned by Mwila family

The Canadian junior Makor, active in Zambia’s copper sector, is preparing a $7.5mn fundraising ahead of its stock market flotation.

Subscribers only Mining 28.04.2026

Inner Circle | Africa
The international flavour of Simon Trott's Rio Tinto team

Appointed last August to lead the Anglo-Australian mining giant, the highly pragmatic CEO relies on both Western and African executives to expand the firm's portfolio of mining and industrial projects. There is a particular interest in the copper sector, notably in Angola.

Subscribers only Mining 24.04.2026

Simon Trott, Rio Tinto CEO, in Perth, Australia, in 2023.

Zambia
Mining giant BHP prepares for return to southern Africa

A delegation from the Anglo-Australian mining major, which has not visited the continent since 2015, will travel to Zambia, South Africa, Namibia and Angola at the end of April. The aim is to forge links with the authorities and junior exploration companies, particularly in the copper sector.

Subscribers only Mining 07.04.2026

Brandon Craig at the BHP head office in Melbourne, Australia, on 18 March 2026.

The New Guard
Nigeria, Niger, Central African Republic

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

NigeriaAyo Sopitan, trader turned miner

NigerSalim Gado, Tchiani's ambitious right-hand man

Central African RepublicWilliam Ndjapou, the rising adviser

Subscribers only Mining, Politics 01.04.2026

DRC
Army generals accused of looting ERG mines

The Kazakh mining group has referred the matter to the military prosecutor's office, while the national security council has focused its investigations on senior officers. The Republican Guard and its commander are under scrutiny, as is the inspector general of the Armed Forces.

Subscribers only Mining 27.03.2026

DRC President Félix Tshisekedi in Washington, DC, on 5 February 2026.

Spotlight | DRC
Abu Dhabi gains foothold in Greater Katanga mines

Several licences, including the one for the Kabulungu deposit, are now under Emirati control after years of grappling. These transfers, which took place on the sly at the end of 2025, bear the stamp of Kahumbu Mandungu Bula, President Félix Tshisekedi's private adviser.

Subscribers only Mining, Diplomacy 26.03.2026

President of the United Arab Emirates Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and his Congolese counterpart, Félix Tshisekedi, in Abu Dhabi in January 2023.

Spotlight | DRC
How US firm Virtus finally broke through to acquire mining jewel Chemaf

DRC Mines Minister Louis Watum has given the green light for the takeover of the company that operates the strategic Mutoshi copper and cobalt deposit.

Subscribers only Mining 17.03.2026

DRC President Félix Tshisekedi in Paris on 25 February 2026.

Spotlight | DRC
US junior Copper Intelligence trades on Trump proactivity to expand ambitions

Zambia
Lusaka courts Wuxi Jiangnan Cable to process copper locally

Spotlight | Africa
As Tokyo overhauls Africa strategy, groundwork begins for next TICAD summit

Zambia
The Chamber of Mines calls for a tax niche to boost exploration

Zambia
Frank Garcia to discuss Lusaka case during visit to Abidjan

DRC
Kinshasa's curious $205m debt to Abu Dhabi

Zambia
TotalEnergies to finally bring solar and wind project with First Quantum to fruition

Kenya
$70m battle erupts over fluorite mining project

Angola, Zimbabwe
Businessman Pedro Soco's regional commodity push from Luanda to Harare

DRC
Chinese firm Chengtun Mining lying in wait for strategic Gécamines permit

Spotlight | Mauritania
French groups step up courtship of Nouakchott

DRC
ERG's bid to regain control of its permits faces deadlock

Madagascar
Future law on major mining investments explained

Zambia
Makor Resources prepares fundraising for copper project co-owned by Mwila family

Inner Circle | Africa
The international flavour of Simon Trott's Rio Tinto team

Zambia
Mining giant BHP prepares for return to southern Africa

The New Guard
Nigeria, Niger, Central African Republic

NigeriaAyo Sopitan, trader turned miner

NigerSalim Gado, Tchiani's ambitious right-hand man

Central African RepublicWilliam Ndjapou, the rising adviser

DRC
Army generals accused of looting ERG mines

Spotlight | DRC
Abu Dhabi gains foothold in Greater Katanga mines

Spotlight | DRC
How US firm Virtus finally broke through to acquire mining jewel Chemaf

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About Africa Intelligence

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Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Indigo Publications' websites

Ibrahim Traoré

Virtus Minerals

Paul Kagame

Savannah Energy

Denis Sassou-Nguesso

Copper

Spotlight | DRC US junior Copper Intelligence trades on Trump proactivity to expand ambitions

Zambia Lusaka courts Wuxi Jiangnan Cable to process copper locally

Spotlight | Africa As Tokyo overhauls Africa strategy, groundwork begins for next TICAD summit

Zambia The Chamber of Mines calls for a tax niche to boost exploration

Zambia Frank Garcia to discuss Lusaka case during visit to Abidjan

DRC Kinshasa's curious $205m debt to Abu Dhabi

Zambia TotalEnergies to finally bring solar and wind project with First Quantum to fruition

Kenya $70m battle erupts over fluorite mining project

Angola, Zimbabwe Businessman Pedro Soco's regional commodity push from Luanda to Harare

DRC Chinese firm Chengtun Mining lying in wait for strategic Gécamines permit

Spotlight | Mauritania French groups step up courtship of Nouakchott

DRC ERG's bid to regain control of its permits faces deadlock

Madagascar Future law on major mining investments explained

Zambia Makor Resources prepares fundraising for copper project co-owned by Mwila family

Inner Circle | Africa The international flavour of Simon Trott's Rio Tinto team

Zambia Mining giant BHP prepares for return to southern Africa

The New Guard Nigeria, Niger, Central African Republic

NigeriaAyo Sopitan, trader turned miner

NigerSalim Gado, Tchiani's ambitious right-hand man

Central African RepublicWilliam Ndjapou, the rising adviser

DRC Army generals accused of looting ERG mines

Spotlight | DRC Abu Dhabi gains foothold in Greater Katanga mines

Spotlight | DRC How US firm Virtus finally broke through to acquire mining jewel Chemaf

Recommended keywords

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

Spotlight | DRC
US junior Copper Intelligence trades on Trump proactivity to expand ambitions

Zambia
Lusaka courts Wuxi Jiangnan Cable to process copper locally

Spotlight | Africa
As Tokyo overhauls Africa strategy, groundwork begins for next TICAD summit

Zambia
The Chamber of Mines calls for a tax niche to boost exploration

Zambia
Frank Garcia to discuss Lusaka case during visit to Abidjan

DRC
Kinshasa's curious $205m debt to Abu Dhabi

Zambia
TotalEnergies to finally bring solar and wind project with First Quantum to fruition

Kenya
$70m battle erupts over fluorite mining project

Angola, Zimbabwe
Businessman Pedro Soco's regional commodity push from Luanda to Harare

DRC
Chinese firm Chengtun Mining lying in wait for strategic Gécamines permit

Spotlight | Mauritania
French groups step up courtship of Nouakchott

DRC
ERG's bid to regain control of its permits faces deadlock

Madagascar
Future law on major mining investments explained

Zambia
Makor Resources prepares fundraising for copper project co-owned by Mwila family

Inner Circle | Africa
The international flavour of Simon Trott's Rio Tinto team

Zambia
Mining giant BHP prepares for return to southern Africa

The New Guard
Nigeria, Niger, Central African Republic

DRC
Army generals accused of looting ERG mines

Spotlight | DRC
Abu Dhabi gains foothold in Greater Katanga mines

Spotlight | DRC
How US firm Virtus finally broke through to acquire mining jewel Chemaf