The Mining Wrap

Mining investment, equipment deployment, automation, electrification, ESG and mining startups remained active across Africa’s mining sector this week, with companies advancing copper, critical minerals, rare earths and mining infrastructure projects. Governments are also tightening local-content requirements and reviewing mining agreements, while equipment manufacturers and startups continue to develop electric, autonomous and AI-enabled technologies.

BHP to Showcase Mining Startups

BHP will showcase its 2026 Xplor cohort on 17 September 2026, bringing together 10 early-stage mining and exploration startups developing technologies and projects aimed at improving mineral discovery and exploration. Each startup received US$500,000 in non-dilutive funding, along with technical and commercial support through the programme.

Mining, Critical Minerals and Project Development

Sibanye-Stillwater Starts Talks Over Kwezi Shaft

Sibanye-Stillwater has entered Section 189A consultations over a proposed restructuring at its Kwezi shaft in South Africa’s Rustenburg PGM operations. The mature underground operation is approaching the end of its economic life after mining reached the limits of its approved mining licence area. The process could affect about 781 employees and 333 contractors, although no final decision has been made.

DRC Invests $180 Million in Geological Data

The Democratic Republic of Congo has awarded a $180 million contract to Spain’s Xcalibur for airborne geological surveys and digital mapping. The programme will support the creation of a national geological databank covering deposits including copper, cobalt, lithium and tantalum, with the government targeting completion by the end of 2026.

Ghana Prepares New Mining Contractor Rules

Ghana’s Minerals Commission is developing minimum wage and tender benchmarks for contract mining as the country increases local participation requirements. Surface mining operations are being required to shift towards Ghanaian-owned contractors, while underground mining joint ventures are expected to have at least 50% Ghanaian ownership by the end of 2026.

Ivanhoe Advances Western Forelands Copper Project

Ivanhoe Mines is advancing its Western Forelands copper exploration programme in the Democratic Republic of Congo as it works towards developing a second copper mine in the country. The company has increased the size of its Makoko copper discovery and plans further technical work as it assesses the development potential of the wider project.

Senegal Renegotiates Mining Agreements

Senegal is renegotiating 30 mining agreements as the government reviews the legal and economic terms governing the country's mining sector. The process comes amid concerns over legal risks and the need to strengthen the country's position in agreements with mining companies.

India Enters Zimbabwe Lithium Mining

India is increasing its involvement in Zimbabwe’s lithium sector as the country moves towards tighter rules requiring greater local processing of minerals. Indian investment adds another international player to Zimbabwe’s growing lithium industry, where the government is seeking to retain more value from mineral production.

Sovereign Metals Advances Kasiya Rare Earth Project

Sovereign Metals is advancing its Kasiya rutile and rare earths project in Malawi as it works towards developing one of the country’s major critical-minerals operations. The project is being developed around rutile and monazite resources, with rare earths forming an increasingly important part of the development strategy.

Total Graphite Advances Montepuez Graphite Project in Mozambique

Total Graphite has appointed Lycopodium Minerals Africa to update the feasibility study for its Montepuez graphite project in Mozambique. The project is permitted to produce up to 100,000 tonnes of graphite concentrate a year, with the updated work examining a modular development approach. Initial results are expected in November 2026, with the company targeting a restart of construction in 2027.

Tertiary Minerals Extends Copper-Silver-Zinc Mineralisation in Zambia

Tertiary Minerals has reported additional analytical results from Phase 4 infill drilling at its Mushima North project in Zambia. The results extend mineralisation at the Discovery Zone and provide further information for the company’s geological modelling and resource work.

Firering Moves to Sell Majority Stake in Côte d’Ivoire Lithium Projects

Firering Strategic Minerals has entered into an agreement giving Australasian Metals a 90-day option to acquire a majority interest in its lithium and tantalum projects in Côte d’Ivoire. Firering would retain a 15% free-carried interest in the Atex project under the proposed arrangement, while Australasian Metals would fund exploration and development during the relevant period.

Cora Gold Reports High-Grade Results From Mali Drilling

Cora Gold has reported initial assay results from drilling at its Sanankoro gold project in southern Mali. The results include high-grade gold intersections from Zone B outside the existing mineral-resource model, providing additional exploration information as the company works on updating the project’s mineral resource.

KEFI Suspends Tulu Kapi Development in Ethiopia

KEFI Gold and Copper has suspended development activities at its Tulu Kapi gold project in Ethiopia following a serious security incident on September 4 that resulted in multiple fatalities, including a company employee. The company had been progressing towards first gold production at the project before the suspension.

Heavy Mobile Equipment and OEMs

Caterpillar Launches D11 XE Electric Dozer

Caterpillar has launched the Cat D11 XE, an electric-drive large dozer designed to reduce fuel consumption and emissions while improving productivity. The company says the machine can deliver up to 25% lower fuel use per unit of material moved and up to 25% lower greenhouse-gas emissions.

Hitachi Starts Physical AI Excavator Research

Hitachi Construction Machinery is beginning research into Physical AI for hydraulic excavators, using operator movements, camera images and work instructions to teach machines how to perform tasks. The research is aimed at future autonomous operation in construction, mining and disaster-response environments.

ESG and Sustainable Mining

Kal Tire Gains ISO Verification for Tyre Carbon Savings

Kal Tire’s Maple Program has received ISO verification for its methodology for calculating carbon savings from extending the operating life of mining tyres through repair and retreading. The company said mining customers across six regions reported 32,700 tonnes of avoided CO₂ emissions during the previous year.

Eramet Sustainability Executive Joins IRMA Board

Eramet’s Chief Sustainability and External Affairs Officer, Virginie de Chassey, has joined the board of the Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance. The appointment adds another major mining company representative to the organisation responsible for independent responsible-mining standards.

Mining Acquisitions and Corporate Transactions

Rio Tinto Acquires Aurukun Bauxite Project

Rio Tinto has agreed to acquire the Aurukun bauxite project from a joint venture involving Glencore and Mitsubishi Development. Financial terms were not disclosed, with the transaction remaining subject to required approvals.

African Mining Policy and Regulation

Ghana Tightens Local Mining Contractor Requirements

Ghana is developing minimum wage and tender benchmarks for mining contractors as the government pushes ahead with rules requiring greater local participation in mining operations. Surface mining activities are being shifted towards Ghanaian-owned contractors, while underground operations are expected to involve joint ventures with at least 50% Ghanaian ownership by the end of 2026.

DRC Moves to Increase State Control Over Geological Data

The Democratic Republic of Congo is moving to centralise geological information as part of efforts to strengthen state control over mineral exploration and development. A $180 million contract with Spain’s Xcalibur will fund airborne surveys and digital mapping, with the government targeting a national geological databank by the end of 2026.

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