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Focus: Western miners lag as oil powers enter race for Africa’s critical metals

Focus: Western miners lag as oil powers enter race for Africa’s critical metals

RISK aversion is likely to leave major Western miners lagging in a race to tap Africa's reserves of critical raw materials that has gathered pace now Middle Eastern oil powers have begun to emulate China's years of investment on the continent. Attracting the capital needed to advance copper, cobalt, nickel and lithium projects in Africa will be high on the agenda when executives, bankers and government officials gather in Cape Town, South Africa, for the annual African Mining Indaba beginning on Monday. For the big listed miners, the problem is convincing board members anxious to keep shareholders' onside, an issue…
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Fintech and energy illuminate DR Congo’s nascent startup ecosystem

Fintech and energy illuminate DR Congo’s nascent startup ecosystem

THE Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the world’s most resource-rich countries, is carving out a new prosperity niche as it emerges on the global tech scene. Known for its green metals, cobalt and copper, and the world's second-largest rainforest, the newest member of the East African Community is having a moment in the startup ecosystem. In 2023 the country raised US$62 million in startup funds, making it the single largest contributor to startup funding growth (33% year-on-year) in the where it is clustered. “While being the only region to grow significantly, from $51m in 2022 to $68m in…
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Billionaire-backed KoBold Metals plans new Zambian copper mine within a decade

Billionaire-backed KoBold Metals plans new Zambian copper mine within a decade

CALIFORNIA-based KoBold Metals, whose backers include billionaires Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, said it aims to start producing copper and cobalt at a project in Zambia within 10 years. KoBold is spending about $150 million to accelerate its search for more deposits at the Mingomba project, located along the fabled African copper belt. The additional studies will be completed in 2024, said Mfikeyi Makayi, the Zambian CEO of the Silicon Valley start-up. "It's a very attractive project and we have said within a decade we would want Mingomba to be a producing mine," Makayi told Reuters. Bill Gates. Photo: Jean-Luc David/Flickr…
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