Rio Tinto

Madagascar
QMM limits operations amid heightened tensions between Rio Tinto and Madagascar

The Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto has scaled back operations at its QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM) mine to a bare minimum. The move is the latest front in an ongoing battle between Rio Tinto and the Malagasy government, and could have a direct impact on the mine's future.

Namibia
Shiloam Mining set for fast-tracked copper permit

Far from the Kalahari Copperbelt, the Namibian company co-managed by former mining ministry official Edward Godfried is about to obtain two copper mining licences near the Angolan border.

Botswana
Kimberley Process set for stormy session in Gaborone

The upcoming Kimberley Process plenary session is set to be dominated by the question of whether Russian precious stones should now be classed as "conflict diamonds", and by Botswana's bid to host the organisation's future permanent secretariat.

Guinea
WCS works on new Simandou strategy

Winning Consortium Simandou has retained Franco-Australian lawyer Christophe Asselineau, indicating a shift of power between the three partners of the consortium that owns blocks 1 and 2 of the massive iron ore deposit in Guinea.

Guinea
Conakry turns to French bank Natixis to finance 'Côtière' power line

Guinea has asked Natixis to submit a financing offer for a project to supply electricity to the northwest of the country, a major bauxite mining area where a range of foreign and domestic mining firms are active.

Zimbabwe
Chiadzwa diamonds inches towards conclusion

After over six years of legal wrangling, the $375m legal dispute between state-owned miner ZMDC and its former partner in the Chiadzwa diamond field could soon be settled. Zimbabwe's courts want to see the case closed.

Guinea
Rio Tinto and WCS in talks over Simandou

The Anglo-Australian giant Rio Tinto and Winning Consortium Simandou are finally seeking to coordinate their respective projects at the Simandou iron ore site. These discussions have been made possible by Winning International's newly ascendant position within WCS and a change in the personnel leading the discussions.

Namibia
Noronex expands foothold in Kalahari copper

Less known than its fellow Australians Rio Tinto and Sandfire Resources, the mining firm Noronex Resources is expanding in the Namibian Kalahari with five new permit applications in the pipeline. By early 2023, the company should have over 70,000 hectares to explore in this disputed copper region.

Guinea
Beijing triggers new dynamic at Simandou

The creation of Beijing's new iron ore purchasing arm, China Mineral Resources Group, led by Baowu Steel executives, is likely to entail changes for Chinese state firms involved in the two consortiums that own the colossal Guinean deposit.

Namibia
Rio Tinto faces double-or-quits choice over Kalahari copper

While Namibian Kalahari is now attracting miners in search of copper deposits, the Anglo-Australian giant will have to decide whether to continue its investments or sell its myriad exploration permits in the area.

Guinea
How Doumbouya and Gomou plan to take back control of mines ministry

With Moussa Magassouba's departure from the department now a certainty, the head of state and the prime minister are working to find a replacement. But they intend to continue to oversee the massive Simandou iron project in-person.

The New Guard
Guinea, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana

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

GuineaDjami Diallo, key to negotiations on the Simandou iron ore project

KenyaOgutu Okudo, oil specialist and Odinga's spin doctor

South AfricaMaropene Ramokgopa, the pro-Ramaphosa leader of the ANC Women's League

GhanaTawiah Agyarko-Kwarteng, social and environmental spokesperson for the cocoa industry

Guinea
Rio Tinto focuses on local content and ESG for Simandou

In the ongoing negotiations over the Simandou iron ore project, Conakry is primarily focused on infrastructure for the mine. One company developing the deposit, Rio Tinto, is however pushing to make progress on other fronts.

Guinea
Mines minister not invited to latest Simandou meeting

Guinean Minister of Mines, Moussa Magassouba, did not attend the last meeting on 17 June with the investors in the major iron mining proejct in Simandou.