Iron

Guinea
Simandou mega-project: change of communications team

Forward Global's communications arm 35°Nord lost its contract with Winning Consortium Simandou in late September.

Cameroon
Mining minister urges president's office to move forward on Sundance arbitration

When a Cameroon delegation headed to Beijing for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation one of the key issues they sought to bring up was the Chinese-funded Mbalam-Nabeba iron ore mine. Arbitration proceedings to settle a dispute with the former project developer are still at a standstill.

Central African Republic
Sant'Egidio movement sets up talks between armed group MPC and Bangui

A member of the MPC and a close associate of President Touadéra met in Rome this month at the invitation of the Sant'Egidio peace organisation. It is hoped these talks will result in the return of imprisoned rebel leader Mahamat Al-Khatim.

Cameroon
Yaoundé's unpaid bills threaten to derail iron ore arbitration

The Cameroonian government has not paid the costs of the proceedings, nor the fees of the lawyers and financial expert who have assisted it in the case against the Australian company Sundance Resources.

Gabon
Libreville set to reform mining code

The government will also be auditing the mines ministry with a view to facilitating investment in the sector.

Senegal
Foreign miners required to register online to ensure local content

The new platform should ensure greater transparency in the selection of suppliers.

Guinea
Russian giant Rosgeo eyes Guinean natural resources

A handful of executives from Russian state-owned company Rosgeo accompanied Sergey Lavrov to Conakry on 3 June to discuss geological exploration and mining. But the company's track record on the African continent warrants caution.

Ivory Coast, Malawi
Mota-Engil's mining investment arm LGM emerges from shadows

Luso Global Mining, a 100%-owned subsidiary of the Portuguese construction group, has made its first mining investments in Malawi and, more recently, in Ivory Coast. It is targeting gold and critical minerals projects.

Senegal
Pro-Chinese business network Future Trends Group cosies up to Dakar

The US business is run by Farzam Kamalabadi.

The New Guard
Cameroon, Malawi, Congo

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

Cameroon Another accolade for award-winning poet Sara Timb

Malawi No topics off limits for radio host Lee Chatata

Congo An iron-cast future for Paul Obambi Junior

Senegal
Energy and mining minister to visit Paris

Minister of Energy and Mines Birame Souleye Diop, from Senegal's new administration, will travel to Paris on 3rd and 4th July to attend the seventh edition of Mining on Top Africa.

Liberia
Boakai administration brokers iron ore deal between Solway and Arcelor

The Swiss mining and metals group is ready to pull out of Liberia by accepting a deal over its iron ore deposit there, which was reallocated to ArcelorMittal. The transfer occurred during George Weah's presidency and exposed his successor to potentially fraught arbitration.

Madagascar, South Africa
Rio Tinto offshoot QMM takes on new boss

Isabelle Wabete is taking over mining giant Rio Tinto's Madagascan branch QMM. She will have her work cut out for her in that strategic role.