Christopher Mpeketula’s Post

Pleased to share our new Carnegie Africa policy outlook on "Maximizing the Benefits of the Renewed Global Interest in Africa’s Strategic Minerals". Written by Folashadé Soulé, PhD, it summarizes the insights shared by the government, private sector and civil society participants of the workshop we convened during the Investing in African Mining Indaba 2024 conference in Cape Town South Africa. A few highlights: - The workshop objectives were to share challenges and successes faced during the contract negotiation process for mining deals (including around "critical" minerals) and to consider how to maximize financial gains, create linkages to the domestic economy, build local supply chains, and comply with labor and environmental standards. - The workshop focused specifically on how African governments can best tackle the challenges and harness opportunities during the negotiation process—both from governments’ and investors’ perspectives. Several aspects of the process were covered: for instance, from the governments’ perspectives, how to prioritize policy frameworks and design a national strategy to define the “criticality” of minerals; and from the investors’ perspectives, how to better structure the negotiation process and ensure compliance with strict environment, social, and governance (ESG) standards. Lessons from the experience of other countries, especially Indonesia, were also shared. - Finally, the workshop covered the best ways African governments can bridge capacity gaps while dealing with investors and operating at the national and continental levels. Overall, the workshop allowed for candid discussions on how African countries can bolster their agency in the process and how key stakeholders can support the negotiation capacity of African governments. Our profound thanks to the workshop participants and the Investing in African Mining Indaba team. Read the full piece here: https://lnkd.in/e7tDnbhY #criticalminerals #batteryminerals #industrialization #energytransition

PWC has over the years released very intriguing reports that give an account of the past,present and where the future is destined especially with regards to energy and Mining. This report covers a number of issues within Mining space in SA and also shares interesting developments in Africa One to note and interesting is the JV of Goldfields and Anglo Gold Ashanti which is one most my most favorite places in Africa Takwa, Ghana 🇬🇭 . Report besides resources to reserve conversation it touches on the thorny issue which is ownership. There are many schools of thought on how this can be addressed across the continent. In RSA we deal with Historical Disadvantage Persons -HDP where we addresss apartheid injustices. While in the rest of African continent ownership is taken by government participation with a 10% or little more owernership of shares. This said both models try to address fundermental issue of local participation. What stands out for me how very little is done or said about Africa Beneficiation of these minerals and to create the much needs Jobs especially population that is 70% youth and young active adults. https://lnkd.in/d7mqzbEy.

Can't Africa's Mining Sector Balance Economic Growth? Navigating this complex landscape requires more... Is Africa's Mining Boom a Blueprint for Sustainable Development or a Missed Opportunity? Africa's mineral wealth is pivotal in the global transition to sustainable energy. But as global mining giants increase their interest, a holistic approach balancing economic growth with social and environmental responsibility is critical. Strategic collaboration, like the #EntrepriseGénéraleDuCobalt in the #DRC, sets new benchmarks in ethical mining. Robust ESG principles, operational excellence, and compliance with international standards are non-negotiable. Navigating this complex landscape requires more than just capital. It demands understanding socio-economic dynamics, regulations, and environmental considerations. Professional consultants play a crucial role in bridging gaps and ensuring investments yield sustainable returns while positively contributing to Africa's development. Having consulted extensively in the African mining sector, We have seen the transformative potential of ethical practices firsthand. In #Zimbabwe, we collaborated with a major company to implement a comprehensive ESG strategy, boosting the local economy through education and healthcare initiatives while enhancing business outcomes. #Botswana's diamond industry and South Africa's renewable energy integration in mines are powerful examples of how responsible mining can drive prosperity and sustainability. Africa's mining sector is at a crossroads. By fostering responsible practices, we can ensure mineral wealth catalyses inclusive growth and sustainable development. Join the conversation: How can we ensure Africa's mining growth is sustainable and beneficial for all? Share your insights! #SustainableMining #AfricaDevelopment #ESG #MiningConsultancy #StrategicPartnership #CorporateResponsibility

Is Africa's Mining Sector Stagnating or Set for a Breakthrough? Africa's mining sector not only drives economic growth but also leads in pioneering sustainable practices to set a global standard. The challenge lies in aligning mineral extraction with robust environmental and social governance. Entities like #EntrepriseGénéraleDuCobalt in the #DRC showcase ethical mining benefiting the economy and communities. Initiatives in #Botswana and South Africa demonstrate that, with proper strategies and adherence to stringent #ESG principles, mining can be a force for good. This pivotal moment for Africa will shape whether the mining sector can effectively balance profit with planet and people. #SustainableMining #AfricaDevelopment #ESG #StrategicPartnership #CorporateResponsibility

Thrilled to be in Lusaka today for the advocacy workshop on Promoting Awareness of Sustainable Mineral Resource Management Governance in Zambia and its Alignment with the Africa Mining Vision (AMV), hosted by the African Minerals Development Centre (AMDC) with the European Union. Mining contributes about 72% of Zambia's export earnings and 44% of government revenues. More than that, Zambia is strategically positioned in a region rich in minerals, including green/critical minerals. If Africa is to benefit from its green minerals, countries cannot go it alone - regional value chains will be essential. That is why the agreement between Zambia and the DRC to collaborate in developing EV battery value chains is so interesting. The workshop opened with a timely reminder by interim AMDC Director Marit Y. Kitaw of the centrality of Africa's green minerals to the continent's development ambitions. Mtwalo Msoni has done an excellent job taking us through the findings of the report. Wonderful to see the African Mining Vision, African Mineral Governance Framework and other tools making a very tangible difference in how we are able to engage with the mineral governance and value addition debates at country and regional level. Later today, we'll be doing a 'soft launch' of the forthcoming African Green Minerals Observatory, an extremely exciting AMDC initiative we have been supporting. I'll be joined up front by Marit and the always-impressive Claude Kabemba. Big things happening - watch this space! #criticalminerals #africandevelopment #zambia

Future Minerals Forum Country Presentation session: Uganda🇺🇬 Minister of State for Mineral Development-Uganda started mining in the late 60s, Uganda’s central position taps into the entire regions geology with several discoveries since minerals have no boundaries. We are going to ramp up exploration and harmonize the regulatory framework to protect investments thus teaming with super region will present more opportunities in downstream beneficiation. Uganda has everything to support the transition through teaming up with Saudi Arabia🇸🇦. Commissioner Licensing and Investment, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development-Investment Opportunities in Uganda’s minerals sector is categorized into metals, industrial minerals and gemstones with significant estimated resources of precious metals, iron ore, rare earth elements, copper, cobalt, lithium, Platinum group metals, 3Ts, uranium. There’s also a high potential for geothermal energy in the Western Arm of the rift valley. Investors in Uganda benefit from good governance and security, various fiscal incentives and transparent mineral licensing regimes along the mineral value chain. Community engagement from the onset provides a social license to operate which makes right of access to land easy as well as smooth project operations. Investment Manager Pension Fund in Uganda-Uganda is a free market economy with a free floating currency purely operating on market forces. The local investors will team up with foreign investors to derisk projects and make them bankable. Special Advisor on Investment and Trade Kingdom Saudi Arabia🇸🇦-Uganda is very exciting due to the hospitality, tradition of generosity, rules, regulations, easy communication with government agencies. Governments of both countries will have meeting for arrangement for joint investments of both countries in the mining sector. Engadu Consulting- Uganda is safe for investments, has free repatriation policies, investor protection portal to empower investors and subscribed to EITI for transparency in the minerals sector. #fmf #fmf24

THE REAL CONTINENT OF MILK AND HONEY, IF AFRICA CAN, FOR A START, PUT ITS FOOT DOWN ON JUST ONE THING INSIST ON 100 PER CENT BENEFICIATION OF, ALL, ITS MINERALS, RIGHT WHERE THEY ARE MINED. JUST WHAT IS SO HARD ABOUT THAT? 👀 WHY LET THE MINERALS STARVED OF THE EARTH, CALL THE SHOTS?!!!😡 IF THEY WANT OUR MINERALS THEY MUST FIRST BUILD FULL BENEFICIATION FACTORIES WHERE THEY ARE TO MINE, OR PAY FIVE TIMES THE MARKET PRICE FOR THE RAW MATERIAL, UNTIL THEY GET THE FINANCIAL WISDOM TO MANUFACTURE AT THE MINING POINT THE DEAL MUST BE STRONG ALSO ON HI TECH TRANSFER, SKILLS TRANSFER TO THE YOUTH OF THE HOST COUNTRY, ON CO-OPERATION WITH TECH VALLEY INSTITUTIONS IN HOST COUNTRY, ITS TECHNICAL UNIVERSITIES/ TECHNICONS, THAT OFFER DEGREES IN MINING, INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTION AND MANUFACTURING( OFFERING THEIR STUDENTS STRUCTURED PRACTCALS/ SEASONAL ATTACHMENTS, JOBS TO TECHNICAL GRADUATES) , JOINT VENTURES WITH INDEGENOUS CORPORATE CAPITAL, RANGING FROM MINING TO MANUFACTURE OF BENEFICIATION PRODUCTS, TO EXPORT AND ALL PROCESSES IN-BETWEEN. THE SOVEREIGN INVESTMENT VEHICLE MUST ALSO PARTICIPATE, THROUGH EARLY EQUITY ACQUISITION THE HOST COUNTRY MUST REALLY COME TO THE PARTY WITH SUITABLE INVESTMENT INCENTIVES, OPTIMISING PERTINENT INFRASTRUCTURE, LOGISTICS, ETC, PRIMARY ENABLERS, FOR MINING, TO MANUFACTURING, TO EXPORT OF FINISHED BENEFICIATED PRODUCTS.

“This year Zambia comes with a new message; invest with confidence and power the future. We reiterate our governments commitment towards making Zambia a reliable investment partner of choice. Zambia has a reliable, stable and predictable legal, mining, regulatory and fiscal regime. As we committed to you during the 2022 indaba we have resolved the legacy issues that we inherited when we took over public office at Mopani and Konkola Copper Mines. We express our gratitude to International Resources Holding and Vedanta Resources for the combined $2.3 billion to fulfil potential,” President Hakainde Hichilema said. The Cape Town investing in Africa mining symposium is taking place under the theme embracing the power of positive disruption for a bold new future for African mining. Zambia’s head of state called for investment partnerships to power the green African future helping it to meet climate targets. Zambia will continue to expand its value chains through execution of running memorandum of understanding such as one between the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia and the United States for the production of electric car batteries locally. President Hakainde Hichilema asked financiers to invest in ambitious projects, technology companies to aid with geo-mapping and energy firms to boost infrastructure to support the mining agenda. Zambia in 2023 signed two MOU’s with DRC and with the US on the side lines of the Africa Heads of State visit to the United States. Zambia is represented by a delegation led by Mines Paul Chanda Chongo Kabuswe and Finance Ministers Dr. Situmbeko Musokotwane, Special Assistant to the President for Economic Affairs Jito Kayumba banks namely Zambia National Commercial Bank (Zanaco) PLC Stanbic Bank Zambia FNB Zambia and Standard Chartered Zambia in addition to energy entities such as Copperbelt Energy Corporation Plc Africa GreenCo Other players include the celebrated KoBold Metals Chamber of Mines ZCCM Investments Holdings Plc and Chibesakunda & Co. to mention but a few.

🌍✨ Highlights of the Forum on Sustainable and Inclusive Mineral Value Chains that shone a spotlight on Artisanal Small Scale Mining Sector & Value Addition of Development Minerals.✨🌍 We are thrilled to present the key moments and insights from the Zambia Forum. This event brought together leaders and experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities in artisanal small scale mining and the value addition of development minerals. A highlight of the forum was the exhibition showcasing innovative approaches to value addition of development minerals. Join us in exploring how these initiatives can drive sustainable development and economic growth. Together, we can create a brighter future. 🎥 Watch the highlights #ZambiaForum #Mining #DevelopmentMinerals #SustainableDevelopment #EconomicGrowth #Innovation #SustainableMining #ArtisanalMiners #ASM #Arisanalmining #Smallscalemining #Developmentminerals #Valueaddition United Nations, UNDP, UNDP Brussels, European Union, Secretariat of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), James Wakiaga, Yvonne Chileshe, Sergio Piazzardi, Uyanga Gankhuyag, UNDP Zambia, UNDP Africa,

Challenges and Chemical Needs for Sustainable Growth The mining industry in Africa stands as a cornerstone of economic development, driving growth and providing employment opportunities across the continent. From precious metals like gold and diamonds to essential minerals like copper and cobalt, Africa's vast mineral wealth holds immense potential for both local economies and global markets. However, this sector faces a myriad of challenges, ranging from regulatory hurdles and geopolitical instability to environmental concerns and technological limitations. Amidst these challenges, the need for specialized chemicals remains paramount. Chemicals play a pivotal role in various stages of the mining process, from extraction and ore processing to waste management and environmental remediation. Effective use of chemicals can enhance extraction yields, improve operational efficiency, and mitigate environmental impacts. Yet, accessing high-quality chemicals, navigating regulatory frameworks, and addressing sustainability concerns pose significant challenges for mining companies operating in Africa. Despite these obstacles, innovative solutions and strategic partnerships can help unlock the full potential of Africa's mining industry, driving sustainable growth and fostering socio-economic development across the continent. Contact Garuda for your Chemical Requirement -Emma@garuda.africa/ info@garuda.africa or visit us at www.garuda.africa #AfricanMining #EconomicDevelopment #MineralWealth #ChallengesInMining #ChemicalSolutions #SustainableGrowth #EnvironmentalConcerns #RegulatoryHurdles #InnovationInMining #PartnershipsInAfrica