Gold

DRC
Loncor Gold falls foul of North Kivu mining authority

On 19 January, the Canadian mining firm Loncor Gold was surprised to learn that it had been singled out by Paul Mabolia Yenga, the boss of the mining cadastre office CAMI.

Mauritania, Morocco
Nouakchott retaliates for Rabat drone attacks on artisanal miners

Mauritania's decision to triple import duties on produce from Morocco is in direct retaliation for Moroccan army drone attacks in the buffer zone.

Botswana
HB Antwerp nears diamond marketing deal with Gaborone

Announced last March (AI, 22/03/23), the Botswanan government's plans to [...]

Cameroon
Ngoh Ngoh takes gold from Motaze's hands

At Louis-Paul Motaze's expense, the influential secretary general to the president has transferred the management of gold stocks to the consignment and deposits office, which one of Ngoh Ngoh's close allies heads.

Guinea
Junta alerted to Nordgold 'embezzlement' under Condé

A lawyer for the Guinean state has been investigating the murky role allegedly played by government officials in a secret deal with the Russian mining firm in the early days of Alpha Condé's first term.

Central African Republic
Lawyer Mboli-Goumba turns against Axmin over Ndassima gold mine

Lawyer Crépin Mboli-Goumba will no longer be representing Aurafrique, the Central African subsidiary of Canada’s Axmin, in its fight to regain control of the Ndassima mine.

Chad
N'Djamena moves to clean up gold mining in Tibesti

Sonemic has set up a "legal gold panning corridor" in Tibesti in the north of Chad, which registers "diggers," supervises their work and makes its safer, and records and traces their production.

Chad
Paris to fund further natural resource mapping

French geologists will be helping Chad to continue with its inventory of its mining potential, with mines minister Abdelkerim Mahamat hoping that new resources will be discovered.

Botswana
Gaborone pressures Lucara Diamonds to re-engage with HB Antwerp

President Mokgweetsi Masisi and his mines minister are refusing to approve the termination of a distribution partnership between the Canadian miner and the Belgian trader, in which the Botswanan state is preparing to take a 24% stake.

Madagascar
Gemfields: anatomy of a deal on hold

The UK mining group looked set to become a key player in Madagascar's gemstone sector until its talks with the government were abruptly interrupted amid accusations of bribery and corruption. Africa Intelligence has had access to documents that retrace the chronology of the negotiations and reveal details of a project whose future is highly uncertain.

Burkina Faso
Adama Soro pushed out as head of Chamber of Mines

Soro was quietly shown the door by mining operators after his government lobbying proved ineffectual.

Kenya
Ruto between rock and hard place on mining law reform

After a four-year moratorium, the issuing of new mining permits has revived the debate between the different stakeholders in the sector. Local communities are demanding a fairer share-out of revenues and professional opportunities.

Lesotho
Gem Diamonds calls it quits with PM's mining services company

Elected prime minister of Lesotho last year, Sam Matekane has now lost his mining services contracts with Gem Diamonds, the main shareholder in the Letseng mine.

Botswana
Gaborone drafts new mining rules to boost local players

The Botswana government is drafting a revision of the mining act that offers new opportunities to domestic players. It will be presented to parliament by the end of 2023.

The New Guard
Senegal, Nigeria, Tanzania

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

SenegalOudjah Simpa Fetter thinks gold should be "made in Senegal"

NigeriaRinu Oduala, leading figure in the fight against police violence

TanzaniaInnocent Grant, standard-bearer for reproductive rights

Zimbabwe
Second shot at parliamentary seat for gold magnate Scott Sakupwanya

Scott Pedzai Sakupwanya, one of the main financial sponsors of the ZANU-PF party, is one of nine ruling party candidates to get a second chance at winning a seat in parliament.