mining

Violence erupts as social-media-fuelled gold rush swamps northwestern Zambia Hundreds of police clashed with thousands of informal miners this week in northwestern Zambia after viral posts claimed gold lay just beneath the surface across a wide rural swathe. The sudden influx — tens of thousands of people by local estimates — overwhelmed local authorities, sparked allegations of bribery and violence, and prompted a delegation of senior ministers to the scene in a bid to restore order. Officials said security forces had…

Unlocking Potential: U.S.-Liberia Relations and the Minerals Frontier In the muted halls of Washington, a significant dialogue unfolded last week that highlights the intricate dance of geopolitics and resource diplomacy. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Liberian Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti, discussing the expansion of American interests in Liberia's critical minerals sector. This meeting is more than just a diplomatic handshake; it symbolizes a burgeoning relationship that could redefine not just…

Botswana’s Diamond Dilemma: The Social and Economic Fallout of a Resource-Dependent Economy As Botswana grapples with an unprecedented fiscal crisis, the shimmering allure of diamonds—the cornerstone of the nation’s wealth—has turned into a stark reminder of vulnerability. This dilemma illuminates a larger narrative: the challenges faced by resource-dependent economies in an ever-evolving global market. The Glitter Fade: A Market at a Crossroads Once celebrated as Africa's beacon of prosperity, Botswana now finds itself…

Ghana is grappling with the severe repercussions of illegal mining, commonly referred to as Galamsey. This rampant activity, primarily conducted by small-scale miners, is taking place across countless sites, igniting widespread protests and prompting the military to take action against it. As a key player in the global gold and cocoa markets, Ghana is feeling the pinch, as land degradation from these mining operations is significantly affecting agricultural productivity. Despite the apparent environmental hazards and…

In a significant move, Resolute Mining, an Australian-based company, has agreed to pay a hefty sum of $160 million to the Malian government in a bid to settle an ongoing tax dispute. This decision comes on the heels of a troubling incident where Mali's authorities detained the company’s CEO, Terence Holohan, along with two other staff members during their trip to Bamako for what was supposed to be routine negotiations with the current regime. As tensions rise, the spotlight on foreign mining operations in Mali grows ever…

The task force known as Operation Vala Umgodi, part of the South African Police Service operating in the North West province, has reiterated its plea for illegal miners who remain underground to resurface. Currently, law enforcement is engaged in a tense standoff with a significant number of illegal miners who find themselves stuck in an abandoned mining shaft. In response to the situation, police have effectively sealed off the entry points that these miners use to bring in supplies. As a result, these individuals are now…

In recent days, a passionate group of environmental advocates filled the streets of Sandton and Cape Town, South Africa, making a resounding call for a boycott of an event known as Africa Energy Week, or Africa Oil Week, happening in Cape Town this week. Following a protest in Cape Town that drew inspiration from horror themes, activist Lisa Makaula had a conversation with Bush Radio’s Renato van Schalkwyk. Makaula emphasized the urgent need for the government to pivot its investments towards renewable energy sources,…

The Democratic Republic of Congo organizes the general states of the mines, its economy, but which is in contrast to the poverty of the population and the meager economic mobilizations of the state. Bosses from mining companies, civil society and authorities have together made an inventory of the mines since Thursday in Kinshasa.…

A minimum of 15 folks had been killed in a landslide on Saturday, Could 8, close to a gold mine close to Siguiri, the most recent gold-mining tragedy in northeastern Guinea. The victims had been shocked when all the pieces appeared calm on this area the place hundreds of unlawful miners, who're going through main survival issues, flock from all neighboring nations.…

Within the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the precept of a monopoly on the acquisition of artisanal cobalt granted to the overall cobalt firm EGC shares artisanal mining cooperatives within the Katanga area. For some, this precept dangers suffocating them. For the others, this monopoly from ECG, a public firm, will make it doable to clear the provision chain for this strategic mineral. These…