Africa

Historically the most sparsely populated province in Zambia, the North-Western Province is in the midst of something of a social and economic revolution, one that has been propelled forward by the activities of some of the biggest mining ventures in the country. These include Barrick Gold’s Lumwana Mining Company, First Quantum Minerals’ (FQM) Kansanshi Mine and now the latter’s Trident development.

Working to the highest international standards, Global Sourcing & Supply (GSS) is an integrated facility management and contract supply operation supported by an advanced logistics capability.

Ghana Rubber Estates Ltd. (GREL) started life in 1957, the year Ghana declared its independence from Britain and became the first African country to free itself from colonial rule. The company's assets at the time of its establishment consisted of a comparatively small private plantation, known as Dixcove and owned by R T Briscoe. In those days it covered an area of 923 hectares at Abura in the Western Region of the country, however it was nationalised only three years after independence, becoming a state farm.

Without beating around the bush, the gold industry as it stands in mid-2013 is under pressure and not just when it comes to the recent falls in gold price. This pressure also stems from issues including resource nationalism, labour concerns, political and legislative uncertainty, and increased environmental requirements.

As much of the Western world spent the latter years of the last decade and the first few of this battling the global recession, the economies of Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Burundi have flourished. With each country experiencing economic expansion of between five and ten percent during the years during and following the crisis it comes as little surprise that East Africa has since been considered the core of Africa’s growth.

It was more than a decade ago now that Paul Peng, at the time working for another company designing his own unique grinding media, decided it was time to go it alone and set up his own business. It was this calculated determination that led the creation of Sino Grinding.

Balancing risks against opportunities is always a difficult call, and it is a problem that ASX listed Middle Island Resources takes very seriously. That is why the company, which was established to develop gold prospects in West Africa, has focused on countries that have an ‘acceptable’ level of sovereign risk, and in which there has been some precedent of successful mining.

Despite being Africa’s biggest oil producer, Nigeria lacks refining capacity. It is Dangote’s belief that in building what will be Africa’s largest refinery the country will be transformed into an importance petroleum exporter.

Dangote, who made his estimated $16 billion fortune in cement, flour and sugar, claims that the refinery will eventually go on to create thousands of jobs, something that is desperately needed in Nigeria’s oil-producing southern Niger Delta region, whose people are among the its poorest.

For the last several decades Africa’s vast mineral wealth has been intrinsically linked with its economic growth. The continents’ mineral industry is unquestionably one of the largest in the world and for many African countries mineral exploration and production constitute significant parts of their economies.

Indeed mining and mines in Africa continue to play a fundamental role in its future socio-economic and sustainable development, with over 1,800 mining projects currently in various stages of development.

The deal, which will see Sinopec pay $3.1 billion in cash, represents the latest in a series of similar transactions by Chinese oil firms who are looking to secure energy supplies in order to meet growing domestic demand.

"Sinopec is an ideal partner for us, and we look forward to the growth and value generation ahead for both companies through the expansion of our collaboration to other projects," Steven Farris, chief executive of Apache, said in a statement.