Africa

Botswana's President Mokgweetsi Masisi recently unveiled the majestic Okavango River Bridge in Mohembo, marking a significant milestone in the nation's infrastructure development. With a price tag of 1 billion pula (£36.4 million), this iconic cable-stayed bridge spans the Okavango River, serving as a vital artery for transportation and connectivity in the heart of Southern Africa. Let's delve into the history, specifications, and socio-economic significance of this engineering marvel.
 

As copper increasingly becomes a much-wanted resource across global industry, exciting times are emerging from the Kalahari Copper Belt in Botswana where Australian company, Sandfire, has officially opened the Motheo Copper Mine.
 
Over its initial ten-year life, Motheo is expected to deliver significant value to the people of Botswana through taxes and royalties, and long-term employment, training and development opportunities.
 

At Senegal's first gold mine, Sabodala-Massawa, many ongoing activities and plans are afoot to consolidate its position as a cornerstone of the country's raw materials production and a vital pillar of Endeavour Mining's portfolio.
 
In addition to expanding the mine, Endeavour is also installing a new BIOX processing facility, which will add incremental production of 1.35Moz at a low AISC of $576/oz over its mine life. It is also primed to build a 37 MWp photovoltaic solar facility for $55 million to complement the 36 MW heavy fuel oil power plant currently onsite.
 

Egypt remains a land of mystery: the Pharaohs, Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and the Nike River. But the Sukari Gold Mine, the nation's first large-scale gold mine, is anything but. 

In recent years, Ghana's mining industry has undergone a remarkable transformation, propelled by the twin forces of digitalization and an increasing focus on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles. As one of the leading gold producers in Africa, Ghana's mining sector stands at the forefront of innovation and sustainability, embracing technological advancements while prioritizing responsible practices.

Digitalization Driving Efficiency

Nestled in the heart of Mali, a country steeped in the historical riches of Mansa Musa's golden legacy, B2Gold's Fekola mine has emerged as a modern testament to the nation's enduring association with natural riches.

Over the past quarter century, the population of West African nation Senegal has more than doubled from slightly under 9 million to just under 18 million. While this population growth has several positive side effects, including one of the world’s youngest workforces, it creates challenges on several levels. And with doubling the population, all things being equal, doubles the aggregate demand for vital services.

Sub-Saharan Africa has long been touted as one of the future hubs of renewable energy but progress has been uneven in most countries in the region. One of the notable exceptions to this has been Kenya, which already produces 92% of its total power from renewable energy capacity. This places it way ahead of schedule for its goal of being 100% reliant on renewable energy by 2030.

World demand for cobalt, a by-product of copper and nickel mining, continues to soar. It is an essential building block of infrastructure, energy and mobility solutions that help advance everyday life. It is a crucial component of rechargeable batteries that power everything from electric vehicles and laptops to smartphones, cameras, and other decarbonization technologies.

In 2020, the Tanzanian Government and Barrick Gold Corporation launched a joint venture – Twiga Minerals Corporation – intending to revitalize two gold mines at North Mara and Bulyanhulu and make the 50:50 enterprise a model for similar operations in other regions.