MINING DEVELOPMENTS MAGAZINE

African Mining Indaba 2025 kicks off in South Africa with call to shape continent's mining future

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the opening ceremony on Monday morning, Mantashe stressed that this gathering is precisely about discussing Africa's mineral wealth and how its people can share in it.

South Africa pushes Mineral Resources Bill

The South African Mineral Resources Development Bill 2025 (Draft Bill) has been published for public comment. The Bill was submitted by Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe on 20 May. The draft legislation will be open for comment from stakeholders until 13 August. The Bill aims to amend the existing Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002, and comes in line with the wider South African aim of modernising the domestic mining sector, with Mantashe also launching the Ministry’s Critical Minerals and Metals Strategy on 20 May. According to the South African Cabinet statements for 14 May, the strategy intends to optimise the country’s potential in the global critical minerals market, with an emphasis on the minerals required for the just energy transition plan and those that give the state a comparative advantage, including lithium, cobalt and rare earth minerals. It also aims to bolster exploration and beneficiation, focusing on improving logistics, increasing investment, streamlining regulations and encouraging innovation in the mining technologies sector. South Africa’s Cabinet also stated that the Mineral Resources Bill would “enhance investor confidence by removing red tape and providing regulatory certainty to attract and retain investment”. It will also target regulatory gaps, account for enhanced sanctions, introduce a licensing regime for small-scale and artisanal mining operations to boost economic growth, and launch stronger regulations to fight illegal activities in the industry, as well as outline clear prohibitions and an enforcement framework regarding illegal mining. The legislation comes at an interesting time for the South African mining and minerals sector, with ongoing climate litigation and advocacy facing a tug of war with the state’s strong fossil fuels lobbyists, including the coal mining industry.

De Beers Group Venetia mine celebrates 13 million fatality-free shifts

De Beers Group’s Venetia mine has reached a landmark achievement of 13 million fatality-free shifts, demonstrating world-class safety performance. The accomplishment reflects the unwavering commitment of employees, contractors and leadership to creating and sustaining a safe and caring work environment. It places Venetia mine among a small group of mining operations in Southern Africa that have reached this level of sustained safety performance. Ntokozo Ngema, the mine’s Senior General Manager said: “Achieving 13 million fatality-free shifts is a testament to the unwavering commitment of every person on our mine. It reflects not just a milestone, but a culture of care, accountability and continuous improvement. At Venetia mine, we believe that zero harm is possible, and this achievement brings us closer to making that belief a reality. I’m incredibly proud of our teams for living our values every day, and setting a benchmark for what safe, responsible mining looks like. While this is an industry-leading performance, we will continue to demand more of ourselves to ensure we remain safe and that every diamond we produce represents our care for, and commitment to, one another” Venetia mine has implemented a range of proactive safety initiatives over the years, with a focus on embedding a culture of shared responsibility and vigilance. One such initiative is the Safe Sentry programme, where team members nominate a sentry for each shift to observe, record and communicate safety behaviours and potential hazards in real time. In recognition of its commitment to safety excellence, the mine received two awards at the Southern Africa Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (SAIMM) MineSafe Industry Awards held in November 2024

Kenya attempts to combat illegal mining

Kenya: The government has warned cement producers about buying materials from unlicensed sources. Cabinet Secretary Hassan Ali Joho has berated cement producers for purchasing minerals from unauthorised sellers, arguing that this practice enables the operations of illegal miners who exploit the country’s natural resources. During a meeting with cement producers and representatives from the Kenya Association of Manufacturers and Kenya Chamber of Mines, Joho said "We need your support in fighting against illegal mining operations, but sadly some of you provide markets for minerals extracted illegally by faceless entities that are not paying taxes, royalties and are giving nothing to communities for those minerals. This must stop.” In the past three years, the government has closed 3000 illicit mines that were operating without licenses. The Cabinet Secretary noted that gypsum was a heavily exploited material by the illegal miners, who use it as an ingredient in cement. Joho added “You have been buying and using gypsum in cement manufacturing, yet there is no record of anyone licensed to mine gypsum in Kenya. There are no records on production, payment of taxes and royalties or community programs undertaken by any gypsum dealer because they are doing it illegally.”

Marula Mining to acquire 100% stake in Kilifi manganese processing plant in Kenya

Marula Mining has signed an amendment to a previous share sales and purchase agreement to enable its subsidiary, Muchai Mining Kenya, to acquire the remaining 20% minority shareholding in Agarwal Metals and Ores (AMO), which owns the Kilifi manganese processing plant in Kenya. Marula formalised a deal to acquire an 80% stake in AMO in August 2024. The revised agreement increases Muchai Mining’s ownership in the Kilifi plant to 100%. Under the acquisition terms, Marula will make a cash payment of $1.3m, with the option to pay in full or in part by 31 December 2025. Additionally, Marula has agreed to issue 12 million new ordinary shares at an issue price of 4.5 pence per share to the minority shareholder. The stake increase follows the recently approved five-year budget for the Kilifi plant, which forecasts total gross sales revenues of $182.5m and cash flow of $63.5m.

Tanzania’s mining reforms: A blueprint for Kenya’s mineral sector

Tanzania's recent mining reforms, focused on value addition and stricter regulations, could serve as a blueprint for Kenya's mining sector. Key Tanzanian reforms include prioritizing local beneficiation, strengthening regulatory frameworks, and enhancing transparency. These changes aim to maximize economic benefits from mineral wealth and attract investment, offering lessons for Kenya's underutilized mineral potential.
Here's a more detailed look:
Tanzania's Reforms:
Beneficiation:
Tanzania is implementing a policy requiring all raw minerals to be processed locally before export, incentivizing the development of local processing industries and maximizing economic benefits.
Regulatory Framework:
Tanzania has revamped its mining laws, including stricter environmental and community benefit agreements, and streamlined permitting processes.
Transparency and Oversight:
Reforms include enhanced transparency measures, such as the use of surveillance cameras and real-time monitoring systems, to curb smuggling and ensure compliance.
Formalization of Small-Scale Mining:
Tanzania is working to formalize artisanal miners, providing them with mapped mining plots, access to processing centers, and support services.

East Africa will benefit from West Africa’s mining disputes, top executive says

East Africa is likely to see increased interest from mining companies, many of which are smarting from disputes with military governments around the Sahel, the head of a major gold mining firm told Semafor. West African countries have traditionally been hotspots for miners but a number of companies are locked in disputes with military administrations in the region. In recent weeks, several companies have launched arbitration cases against authorities in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. In one high-profile dispute, Canadian miner Barrick last week suspended operations in Mali after the government seized control of its gold stocks, reportedly worth $245 million. “Now you have what’s going on in West Africa, there should be a little more investment into East Africa,” Stephen Mullowney, CEO of Canadian miner TRX Gold, said in an interview. He cited Ethiopia, Kenya, and Tanzania — the latter of which TRX Gold is already operating in — as countries that are likely to see an uptick in interest, along with the southeastern nation of Mozambique, although investment there may be curtailed by political instability following disputed elections.

Africa mining: Will mineral-rich countries start a cartel like OPEC?

African leaders are pushing for tougher terms on mining concessions after 25 years of structural adjustment – when countries cut red tape and offered generous tax holidays to foreign prospectors. The new dynamic was on display at a recent mining conference in Senegal. The chief executive officer of a multinational Africa mining firm was speaking, but Senegal's president didn't appear to be listening. Across the hall from President Abdoulaye Wade sat 500 delegates from foreign mining firms. They had come in March to see which new holes were worth digging in this continent whose riches are in demand from booming economies like China's.

South Sudan’s Minister of Mines to Showcase E&P Prospects at AMW 2025

As South Sudan seeks to increase mining investments and drive projects forward, AMW provides an ideal platform for Minister Abucha to outline the country’s commitment to enhancing cooperation with global public and private stakeholders to build a robust and competitive mining value chain. As the premier gathering for mining stakeholders in Africa, the event connects global financiers and project developers with African mining opportunities, facilitating collaboration and deal-signing. Insights shared by Minister Abucha will support future deals.

African Mining Week serves as a premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held alongside the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energies 2025 conference from October 1-3 in Cape Town. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.

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