Operations, deal-making, policy and markets across African mining — every story, newest first.
South Africa has appointed six consortia to modernise Beitbridge, Lebombo and four other border posts under a R12.5bn PPP, targeting congestion that slows mineral and general trade with the region.
Perseus Mining completed the first underground production blast at its CMA Underground project beneath the Yaouré mine in Côte d'Ivoire on 28 April 2026.
Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt has exported the first consignment of lithium sulphate produced in Africa from its Arcadia operation in Zimbabwe, a milestone for the country's beneficiation drive.
First Quantum has deferred the conversion of its Guelb Moghrein mine in Mauritania to a gold-only operation until 2027, raising 2026 copper guidance to about 7,000t and cutting gold guidance.
ZESCO has commissioned the 50MW Mansa solar plant in Zambia's Luapula Province, the area's first major generation investment in over 60 years, easing load shedding and supporting local manganese mining.
Implats reported steady March-quarter output that kept it on track for full-year PGM production guidance of 3.4 million to 3.6 million ounces, with sales volumes up 9%.
Ferrochrome production from the Glencore-Merafe Chrome Venture fell 95% year on year in the first quarter of 2026 to 13,000 tonnes, as the Boshoek and Wonderkop smelters remained idled over electricity costs.
Valterra Platinum's first-quarter 2026 production rose 7% year-on-year to 743,500 oz, with Amandelbult up 43% as it recovered from 2025 flooding, while the average basket price hit a five-year high.
Endeavour Mining says it expects to return at least $2bn to shareholders through 2028 under a programme of rising minimum dividends and opportunistic buybacks, triggered whenever gold trades above $3,000 an ounce.
Burkina Faso has published a decree allowing state miner SOPAMIB to buy another 25% of the Kiaka gold mine for CFA70bn, about A$175m, taking the government's stake to 40% just as the mine reaches full output.
The US International Development Finance Corporation confirmed in April 2026 it was proceeding with a $50m equity investment in Rainbow Rare Earths' Phalaborwa project, despite a sharp deterioration in US-South Africa relations.
Caledonia Mining said Blanket produced 14,767oz of gold in the first quarter of 2026, down from 18,671oz a year earlier, but kept full-year guidance of 72,000oz to 76,500oz.
Two of Zambia's largest copper smelters, Mopani and Chambishi, face extended maintenance outages in 2026, threatening copper output and sulphuric acid supply already strained by the Iran war.
Implats confirmed it is evaluating three potential Zimbabwean growth projects, the Hartley Complex, Darwendale and Karo Platinum, alongside its existing Zimplats and Mimosa operations.
The DRC raised planned copper sales to the United States to 500,000 tonnes, a fivefold increase on its initial commitment, as Gécamines expands its independent trading operation.
A definitive feasibility study has confirmed Sovereign Metals' Kasiya project in Malawi can become the world's largest natural rutile and graphite producer, with a pre-tax NPV of $2.2 billion.
South African mining production rose 9.7% year-on-year in February 2026, with PGM output up 52.3%, though the Minerals Council warned much of the gain reflected base effects.
Predictive Discovery and Robex Resources completed their merger on 15 April 2026, creating a combined West African gold company targeting more than 400,000 ounces a year by 2029.
OCP Group priced a $1.5bn hybrid bond on 15 April 2026, the first dollar-denominated hybrid ever issued by an African corporate, in a deal that attracted nearly $7bn of orders.
Montage Gold completed its $170m acquisition of African Gold in April 2026, gaining the Didievi project in Cote d'Ivoire to develop alongside its flagship Koné mine, and later secured a $75m Macquarie loan to accelerate it.
Sichuan Yahua says it has secured a six-month quota to export lithium concentrate from Zimbabwe, after the government granted allocations to Chengxin Lithium and Sinomine following a two-month export freeze.
Montage Gold has acquired five gold exploration permits covering roughly 2,100 sq km in Mauritania, diversifying beyond its flagship Koné project in Côte d'Ivoire.
AngloGold Ashanti Holdings launched capped cash tender offers on 30 March 2026 to repurchase up to $650m of notes due 2028, 2030 and 2040, reporting strong early participation by the 13 April deadline.
Ivanhoe Mines' Kamoa-Kakula smelter produced 63,671 tonnes of copper anode in the first quarter of 2026, about 60% of design capacity, and sent its first shipment to Europe via the Lobito Corridor.
