The Mining Wrap

This week’s Mining Wrap covers critical minerals negotiations, geological mapping, equipment investments and responsible mineral sourcing, alongside new technologies for fleet management, mine safety and environmental monitoring.

UNDP’s timbuktoo MineTech Hub Opens Applications

The United Nations Development Programme’s timbuktoo MineTech Hub is inviting students, researchers, engineers and early-stage entrepreneurs from Botswana, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe to develop mining and mineral exploration technologies.

The 10-week programme offers prototype support, access to technical experts and the opportunity to compete for seed funding. Applications close on 16 October.

Mining Development And Operations

Tanzania Renews Barrick’s North Mara Licences for 15 Years

Tanzania has renewed the special mining licences for Barrick Mining’s North Mara gold mine for another 15 years. The renewal gives the operation a longer investment horizon, with Tanzanian nationals accounting for 96% of its approximately 3,000 employees. About 47% of the workforce comes from surrounding communities, while more than 90% of procurement comes from Tanzania-registered companies.

DRC Expands Nationwide Geological Mapping

The Democratic Republic of Congo is advancing its nationwide airborne geological mapping programme, PC2G-RDC, through the National Geological Service of Congo and Xcalibur. The programme covers areas including Kongo Central, Kwango, Kwilu and Greater Kasai, with the aim of increasing geological mapping coverage from 22.27% to 46.1%. The additional data could improve the country's understanding of its mineral potential and support exploration planning.

Burkina Faso Opens Its First Gold Refinery

Burkina Faso has inaugurated RAFFINOR-BF, its first national gold refinery in Ouagadougou. The first phase has a stated theoretical refining capacity of 164 tonnes per year and includes a foundry, laboratory, gold storage facilities and jewellery production space. The facility supports the government's push to retain more value from gold production within the country.

Mining Policy And Digital Systems

Zambia Negotiates Critical Minerals Agreement with the United States

Zambia has confirmed negotiations with the United States on a critical minerals agreement. Foreign Affairs Minister Mulambo Haimbe confirmed the discussions, although the proposed agreement's terms and the minerals it would cover have not been disclosed. The negotiations place Zambia's copper and other mineral resources within discussions about securing supplies for batteries, electrification and industrial manufacturing.

Kenya Moves Mining Royalties Onto a Digital Platform

Technology company CSM Technologies has deployed a digital Royalty Management System for Kenya's State Department for Mining. The platform digitises royalty declarations, assessments, invoicing and payments, moving these processes online. The system is intended to improve the administration of mining-related payments and provide greater transparency in royalty collection.

Heavy Mobile Equipment And OEMs

Multotec Expands Equipment And Service Support in Zambia

Multotec Zambia has opened a new facility in Chingola that will serve as its Central Africa regional headquarters. The facility will provide engineering fabrication, pump refurbishment, ceramic lining, spare parts, technical support and process optimisation services to mining customers in Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi. The investment expands Multotec's regional service capacity and brings equipment support closer to mining operations.

Sandvik Develops Autonomous Battery-Electric Drill Concept

Sandvik has introduced a concept surface drill combining battery-electric power, autonomous navigation, robotic drill-bit changes and AI-based fleet coordination. The concept includes its Sandi AI agent, which can assign tasks and coordinate equipment through a digital twin. The machine remains a concept rather than a commercially available product, but it demonstrates how Sandvik is exploring automation and electrification for future surface mining operations.

Voith Introduces Electric Conveyor Drive System

Voith launched PowerDrive Mining, an integrated electric drive system for conveyor belts, at Electra Mining Africa in Johannesburg. The system coordinates multiple drives and manages start-up and speed changes to reduce wear on conveyor belts and supporting structures. The technology targets conveyor reliability, maintenance requirements and energy management in mining operations.

Wenco Showcases Mixed-Fleet Management And Safety Technology

Wenco, owned by Hitachi Construction Machinery, showcased fleet management, machine guidance, asset-health monitoring and SmartCap fatigue detection at Electra Mining Africa. Its systems support interoperability between different equipment brands, allowing mines to manage mixed fleets without relying entirely on one manufacturer's technology. The tools also give operators greater visibility over equipment condition and operator fatigue.

Barloworld Cat Expands Underground Equipment Offering

Barloworld Cat signed a strategic agreement with specialised equipment manufacturer PAUS during Electra Mining Africa. The agreement expands Barloworld Cat's offering of specialised equipment for demanding underground mining applications, giving operators additional equipment options for underground operations.

ESG And Sustainability

ERG Africa Responds to DRC Artisanal Mining Report

ERG Africa has issued a clarification statement addressing a report by the International Peace Information Service and the Initiative Bonne Gouvernance et Droits Humains on artisanal and small-scale copper and cobalt mining in Lualaba Province, Democratic Republic of Congo.

ERG says it does not tolerate illegal mining on its concessions while recognising the socioeconomic role of artisanal and small-scale mining. In February 2026, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with Entreprise Générale du Cobalt, a Gécamines subsidiary, to support the formalisation and professionalisation of artisanal mining. The initiative aims to improve working conditions and reduce human rights risks. ERG disputes a specific passage in the report concerning alleged tolerance of artisanal mining at certain Boss Mining sites.

North Mara Court Case Examines Accountability in Gold Supply Chains

The London Bullion Market Association is facing a court case concerning alleged human rights abuses linked to gold from Tanzania's North Mara mine. The case centres on the alleged fatal shootings of two artisanal miners by Tanzanian police in 2019. The claimants say the men were unarmed and fleeing when they were shot, while the LBMA disputes its legal responsibility and questions aspects of the evidence.

The trial raises questions about the responsibilities of organisations that set standards for responsible gold sourcing and how human rights risks are addressed across mineral supply chains. The allegations remain contested.

BME Develops Portable Training Technology for Underground Mine Safety

BME, an Omnia Holdings company, has developed a Portable Training Unit for underground charging equipment. The unit replicates operating conditions and allows trainees to practise responding to emergency shutdowns, communication failures and operator errors without exposing people or equipment to the risks of live operations.

BME says hands-on simulation may reduce the time new operators need to reach competency by 30–40% compared with classroom training. The technology focuses on practical skills development and safer operation of underground charging equipment.

WSP Highlights Groundwater Monitoring for Earlier Risk Detection

WSP in Africa has highlighted how groundwater monitoring and numerical modelling can help identify potential mining impacts before environmental damage occurs. Hydrogeologist Erin Haricombe outlined the approach in a technical contribution associated with the IAH-SA Symposium 2026.

The method combines monitoring data with modelling to assess changes in groundwater conditions and determine whether monitoring networks can detect risks early enough. For mining operators, the approach can strengthen environmental risk assessment and support earlier intervention where operations threaten water resources.

Strategic Deals And Investment

IRH Makes Takeover Proposal for Kenmare Resources

Abu Dhabi-based International Resources Holding has submitted a non-binding cash takeover proposal for Kenmare Resources, which operates the Moma titanium minerals mine in Mozambique. IRH has existing mining interests in Africa, including a 51% stake in Zambia's Mopani Copper Mines and an interest in the Bisie tin mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

IRH has until 17 November to announce whether it intends to make a formal offer. The proposal could change ownership of a major African titanium minerals operation, although the non-binding approach does not guarantee a transaction.

Perseus Mining Says Gold Acquisition Deals Face Valuation Challenges

Perseus Mining chief executive Craig Jones says activity in the gold acquisition market remains strong, but differences over asset valuations are making transactions harder to complete. The company operates mines in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire and is developing another project in Tanzania. Its comments point to continuing interest in gold-sector consolidation, alongside negotiations over the value of producing mines and development projects.

Guinea’s Kiniero Gold Sales Rise as Production Falls

Gold sales at Guinea's Kiniero operation rose by 59% to 61,149 ounces in the third quarter, while production fell by 16% to 45,599 ounces. The increase in sales came from existing inventory rather than higher current-quarter production.

Guinea's transition period for mandatory local gold refining expired on 6 October. The Nimba Gold Refinery is expected to play a central role as the country develops its domestic refining capacity. Read more about The Mining Wrap Here