The MiningWrap BriefNo. 2
DRC extends cobalt export ban by three months as stockpiles stay high
The week in African mining — 19 June 2025.
1PolicyDRC extends cobalt export ban by three months as stockpiles stay highThe Democratic Republic of Congo extended its cobalt export suspension for a further three months on 21 June 2025, saying stockpiles remained too high to justify reopening trade.
2PolicyNiger nationalises Somaïr uranium mine, defying French operator OranoNiger's military government has announced the nationalisation of the Somaïr uranium mine run by France's Orano, accusing the firm of taking an outsized share of production since 1971.
3PolicyMali breaks ground on Russian-backed gold refineryMali has started construction of a state-controlled gold refinery built with Russia's Yadran Group, part of military leader Assimi Goita's push to keep more mining value at home.
4GoldMali court places Barrick's Loulo-Gounkoto mine under state administrationA commercial court in Bamako has placed Barrick's Loulo-Gounkoto gold complex under state control, appointing a provisional administrator as Mali seeks to reopen the mine despite the miner's objections.
5DiamondsDebswana seeks $6bn to take Jwaneng undergroundDebswana is seeking about $6bn on international capital markets to fund an underground expansion at Jwaneng that would keep the mine running to 2054.