Mining in Southern Africa 2021

Mining in Southern Africa (excluding South Africa)

Southern Africa has produced a large number of minerals, including over 25% of the world’s diamonds, over 13% of its graphite and 10% of its uranium. The region contains deposits of a range of minerals, many of which are not exploited. Dozens of companies are actively exploring in the region, but challenges include a lack of skilled workers and inadequate infrastructure. While a large number of companies are involved in mining in Southern Africa, artisanal mining forms a large part of the industry.

Opportunities

Southern Africa’s mining industry is benefiting from rising demand for a variety of minerals as the world economy recovers. Most countries in the region have identified mining as important for economic development and are trying to develop their mining sectors. With many deposits unexploited and rising demand for various minerals, there is potential for the development of new mines.

Infrastructure

In some countries, economic development is hindered by the lack and poor condition of transport, water, electricity and telecommunication infrastructure, while transportation costs are increased by poor road infrastructure due to long distances travelled at low speeds. The logistics of delivering heavy equipment and materials to build a mine in remote areas, where the road systems are poor, pose a challenge to mining companies. Inadequate electricity supply is a serious problem, with the provision of alternative energy sources adding to companies’ costs.

Report Coverage

This report focuses on mining in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, which constitute the African Union’s Southern Africa region. South Africa is excluded from this report as its mining industry is covered by separate reports. It includes comprehensive information on mineral occurrences, developments and corporate actions as well as the state and size of the sector, trade and regulations. There are profiles of 43 companies including Debswana and Mupane Gold Mining in Botswana, Zimbabwe Platinum Mines, Swakop Uranium and Namdeb in Namibia, Montepuez Ruby Mining in Mozambique and Lubambe Copper Mine in Zambia.