The European Commission has commissioned consultants to help Namibia draft a National Critical Raw Materials Strategy covering uranium, lithium and rare earths, as Windhoek balances competing EU and Chinese interest in its minerals.
Canadian explorer Tsodilo Resources says drilling at its Gcwihaba project in north-west Botswana has confirmed all 15 rare earth elements on the US critical minerals list, close to surface.
Botswana is redirecting mineral exploration toward critical minerals rather than diamonds, as a state-owned exploration company targets the 70% of the country never surveyed.
Ivanhoe Mines is in advanced talks to send zinc concentrate from its Kipushi mine to the US under Project Vault, a $12bn strategic minerals stockpiling scheme.
An industry opinion piece published as the DRC's cobalt quota system took shape argued that South Africa's own critical minerals strategy should introduce a 'balanced export strategy' limiting unprocessed cobalt exports.
Minister Gwede Mantashe released South Africa's Critical Minerals and Metals Strategy, prioritising beneficiation and industrialisation around a shortlist of minerals judged most important to the economy.
