Mining industry in Africa is using AI-powered systems so as to look at huge geological datasets and find new mineral deposits as well as enhance the way they create products. The technology is helping businesses find new resources while at the same time lowering costs and also harming the environment less.

Apparently, AI is most useful when it comes to mineral exploration, where machine learning algorithms can evaluate geological and geophysical data much faster as compared to traditional methods. AI systems can find patterns in large amounts of historical exploration data that point to mineral deposits that were missed in the past. This makes it easier for companies to find new deposits and also helps them focus on their exploration efforts with greater efficiency.

AI is also speeding up the time it takes to explore. Miners can now locate promising targets much faster and more accurately thanks to advanced geospatial technologies like satellite imaging and drone surveys, as well as AI-powered geological modeling. In some cases, these digital tools have cut exploration times by a great deal, which lets companies move more quickly right from discovery to development.

Another big reason why people are using AI is to make their operations more efficient. There happen to be more mining companies that are using AI so as to improve the performance of their equipment, keep an eye on production metrics, and, at the same time, figure out when maintenance is needed. Predictive maintenance systems can find possible equipment failures even before they happen, so operators can plan repairs and also keep downtime to a minimum.

These changes are already making a difference that can be measured. Early adopters have said that their operating costs have gone down quite a bit and that their important mining equipment and infrastructure have lasted longer. AI-driven systems can make large-scale operations much more profitable by way of making them more reliable and cutting down on unexpected shutdowns.

AI is starting to help modernize mining operations in South Africa as companies are using digital technologies in order to make their work safer and more efficient. AI-powered monitoring tools have been employed to keep an eye on production data in real time. This lets operators make quicker and better decisions about how well the plant is functioning and how to manage resources.

Big mining companies are also using digital tools in their main operations. Data-driven modeling tools are being used to make maps of ore bodies that are more accurate so as to improve blasting plans and to better determine when and where to use equipment as far as mining sites are concerned. These features make it possible to get resources more accurately while at the same time using less energy and creating less waste.

It is well to be noted that AI is making mining operations safer and more productive. Increasingly, autonomous vehicles and automated drilling systems, as well as remote monitoring technologies, are being used to keep people away from dangerous places. Companies can keep their operations running smoothly as they make safety better by moving workers away from certain high-risk areas.

Digital transformation is expected to speed up throughout the industry as mining companies compete for the important minerals needed for the energy transition in the world. Digital twins, augmented reality, and advanced data analytics are some of the technologies that are most likely to become increasingly significant in mine planning and operations.

But leaders in the field say that widespread application of AI will also need new skills and training for workers. As an increasing number of jobs become automated, many of them will go from doing physical work to analyzing data, overseeing systems, and handling operations from remote locations.

Importantly, African countries with significant amounts of minerals are trying to get the most out of their resources. AI is becoming increasingly common as a strategic tool that can help the continent stay competitive in the global mining industry by way of making things run more smoothly and safely.

The government has promised to support the mining industry in Zambia again, which is why this development is taking place.

Des Mossop, who is a partner and principal engineering geologist at SRK Consulting – South Africa, said that there are many chances for growth mining industry in Zambia. According to it, “Zambia is a great place for exploration and mining companies to invest because it has a new mining cadastre and more than half of the surface of the country has not been explored.”

Mossop said that SRK has been working as a consultant in Zambia for a long time now and thinks that presently is the best time to make their presence in the country even stronger and, of course, more visible. The Zambian government has said that it wants to increase refined copper production from 900,000 tonnes to three million tonnes per year by 2032. This decision happens to be in response to the planned rapid increase in copper production as well as the rise in exploration projects pertaining to gold, iron ore, lithium, nickel, and cobalt, as well as other minerals.

Also, both American and Chinese investments in transportation corridors happen to be making it easier for the country to export minerals from southern and central Africa. The government is also working to make the power supply much more reliable and, at the same time, build more infrastructure so that the economy can grow even more.

According to Able Tunono, the Zambian geotechnical engineer who will lead the practice, “Establishing an SRK Consulting office in Kitwe enables us to work more closely with our clients and respond more effectively to their needs. This new base is close to Zambia’s center of copper mining and also in close proximity to operations in the DRC.”

Tunono said that the company perceives mining expanding beyond the current Copperbelt into fresh areas, such as the North-Western province of the country, which can be reached from Kitwe. It is well to be noted that SRK works in more than just mining. It also works in water and energy as well as infrastructure, which means that it can use all of its skills to meet the needs of clients right from exploration to mine closure.

Paul Aucamp, a partner and principal engineering geologist at SRK Consulting – South Africa, opines that the work of the geotechnical, civil, water, as well as foundation engineering teams at SRK is also important when it comes to mining.

Aucamp says, “One of the significant risks faced by new mining operations is geotechnical risks that may increase project initiation costs for heavy infrastructure and tailings dams.  “Water is also both a danger and necessity for mining operations; our civil teams provide expertise in surface and underground water management, pumping, disaster management relating to flood and stormwater risks, and the provision of water for mine operations.”

Hennie Booyens, who is the principal engineering geologist at SRK Consulting – South Africa, says that due diligence along with compliance auditing is very important for companies that want to list on different stock exchanges or adhere to the Copper Mark and other global standards such as GISTM.

SRK Consulting is in a good position to meet the country’s needs when it comes to local employee representation in international companies because it runs its business as an employee-owned model. Tunono says that the country happens to have a strong mining history and that it has many highly trained engineers, geologists, and hydrologists, as well as other expert consultants.

He also talked about how valuable experience of SRK Consulting with ESG-related projects could be used in other areas.

Tunono says, “We plan to grow the practice with the assistance of local expertise to benefit Zambian communities, the local economy, and the natural environment. “We aim to work with clients to develop sustainable mining operations that support mine stakeholders and broader society.”

It is well to be noted that before the Zambian International Mining and Energy Conference – ZIMEC in 2026, SRK will hold a workshop on March 24, 2026, in the host town of Kitwe. This will be the beginning of SRK’s operations.

Water recycling technologies are increasingly becoming the benchmark for excellence in the mining industry. These systems do not just clean water but also show us how industrial processes can coexist with fragile ecosystems. By integrating advanced filtration, chemical treatment, and digital monitoring, mining companies are successfully closing the loop on their water usage, significantly reducing their reliance on local freshwater sources and minimizing the environmental footprint of their tailings facilities.

The Strategic Shift Towards Sustainable Water Recovery

The motivation for investing in water recycling is multifaceted, driven by a combination of physical scarcity, rising costs, and the need to meet stringent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) criteria. In many of the world’s most productive mining regions, such as the Atacama Desert in Chile or the arid plains of Western Australia, water is more than just a resource; it is a point of geopolitical and social friction. The United Nations said in a major report on January 20, 2026, that the world had entered a period of Global Water Bankruptcy. Mines that fail to manage their water efficiently risk facing operational shutdowns during droughts or losing the support of local communities who share the same water tables.

From a financial perspective, the cost of acquiring and transporting water to remote mine sites has increased dramatically. When a mine can recycle 80% to 90% of its process water, the return on investment for the treatment infrastructure is realized through reduced procurement costs and lowered risk of production interruptions. Furthermore, the recovery of valuable minerals from process water a practice often referred to as “brine mining” is emerging as a secondary revenue stream, turning a waste management problem into an economic opportunity.

Advancements in Membrane and Filtration Systems

The technical backbone of modern water recycling is found in the evolution of membrane technologies. Ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis (RO) have transitioned from specialized niche applications to standard components of the mining flowsheet. These technologies allow for the removal of microscopic contaminants, including dissolved solids and heavy metals, which were previously difficult to treat at scale. The current generation of RO membranes is designed specifically for the harsh conditions of mining, capable of handling high turbidity and varied pH levels without frequent fouling.

Beyond simple filtration, the industry is seeing the rise of nanofiltration, which selectively removes specific ions. This is particularly useful in operations where certain chemicals need to be recovered for reuse in the leaching process while others are removed to prevent buildup in the system. By fine-tuning the chemical composition of recycled water, metallurgists can ensure that the water quality remains consistent, which is crucial for maintaining the efficiency of flotation circuits and other chemical extraction processes.

Intelligent Monitoring and Predictive Management

Hardware alone is not sufficient to transform water management; it must be coupled with intelligent data systems. The integration of the Internet of Things (IoT) allows for real-time monitoring of water quality and flow across the entire mine site. Sensors placed in tailing ponds, treatment plants, and distribution networks provide a constant stream of data that can be analyzed using machine learning algorithms. This predictive capability enables operators to identify potential leaks or treatment failures before they escalate into environmental hazards.

Predictive management also extends to water balance modeling. By analyzing historical weather patterns and current operational data, mines can anticipate water shortages and adjust their recycling rates accordingly. This level of foresight is essential for managing the seasonal variability of water availability. In regions prone to heavy rainfall, these systems can also help manage excess water, ensuring that discharge into the environment meets all regulatory standards and does not cause downstream contamination.

Economic Resilience Through Closed-Loop Integration

The implementation of closed-loop systems represents the pinnacle of water recycling in mining. In a truly closed-loop operation, water is continuously circulated between the processing plant and the treatment facility, with only minimal makeup water added to replace what is lost to evaporation or trapped in the final tailings. This approach drastically reduces the volume of wastewater that needs to be stored in tailings dams, which are often the most significant environmental liability for a mining company.

By reducing the volume of liquid waste, closed-loop systems also improve the stability of tailings facilities. De-watering technologies, such as thickeners and filter presses, allow mines to transition to “dry stack” tailings. This method not only recovers more water for recycling but also results in a safer, more stable waste product that is easier to rehabilitate once the mine reaches the end of its life. The synergy between water recovery and waste safety is a powerful argument for the adoption of these technologies.

Cost-Benefit Analysis and Long-Term Viability

While the upfront capital expenditure for advanced water recycling facilities can be substantial, a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis often reveals a compelling long-term case. Beyond the direct savings on water purchase and transport, recycling reduces the energy required for pumping water over long distances. In many cases, the energy saved by recycling water on-site offsets a significant portion of the power consumed by the treatment plants themselves.

Additionally, the regulatory landscape is shifting toward a “polluter pays” model, where the costs associated with water discharge and environmental remediation are rising. Mines that proactively invest in recycling are better positioned to navigate these changes without facing sudden financial shocks. The long-term viability of a mining project is now inextricably linked to its water efficiency, making water recycling a core component of risk management and strategic planning.

Environmental Stewardship and Social License

The relationship between a mine and its surrounding community is often defined by water. In many jurisdictions, the competition for water between industrial, agricultural, and domestic users is intense. By demonstrating a commitment to water recycling, mining companies can alleviate community concerns and prove that they are responsible users of a shared resource. This transparency is vital for maintaining the “social license to operate,” an intangible but essential asset for any successful mining venture.

Environmental compliance is also simplified through high-recycled-water rates. When a mine operates a closed-loop system, the risk of accidental discharge into local waterways is virtually eliminated. This not only protects the local ecosystem but also shields the company from the legal and reputational damage that follows environmental accidents. The move toward zero-discharge operations is a clear trend in the industry, reflecting a broader global commitment to environmental protection and sustainable development.

The Future of Water Independence in Extraction

As we look toward the future, the goal for many mining operations is total water independence. This involves not only water reuse and recycling but also exploring unconventional sources, such as atmospheric water generation or the treatment of municipal wastewater from nearby towns. The convergence of renewable energy and water treatment is another exciting frontier. Solar-powered desalination plants, for example, could provide a sustainable source of fresh water for remote mines, further reducing their carbon footprint.

The next decade will likely see even more integration of biotechnology into water recycling. Engineered microbes are being developed that can “eat” specific contaminants in mining wastewater, providing a low-energy, highly effective alternative to traditional chemical treatments. These biological solutions, combined with continued advancements in membrane technology and digital twin modeling, will ensure that water recycling mining operations continue to lead the way in industrial sustainability.

In conclusion, the transformation of mining through water recycling technologies is a testament to the industry’s resilience and capacity for innovation. By viewing water as a precious, recirculating asset rather than a disposable commodity, mining companies are securing their operational future while contributing to the global effort to conserve our most vital resource. The transition is complex and requires significant investment, but the rewards like economic, environmental, and social betterment are far too great to ignore.

Ivanhoe Mines is going to be investing $1.2 billion in the initial phases, eyeing a potential expansion by adding $800 million.

Robert Friedland, the mining billionaire, has gone on to launch the first phase of a much-awaited US$2-billion platinum-group metals project in South Africa. With this, he has realized a vision that has been 37 years in the making by way of decades of exploration and planning as well as development.

A Cornerstone African Mining Project

Friedland, the founder as well as the executive co-chairman of Vancouver-based Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., went on to inaugurate the Platreef mine on November 18, 2025, alongside Cyril Ramaphosa, the South African president.

The project can indeed be called one of the most prominent new mining developments in the continent and also a rare large-scale investment in the struggling mining industry of South Africa.

World-Class Deposit

Calling Platreef the largest undeveloped precious-metals mine in the world, Friedland went on to say that the operation is all set to become one of the lowest-cost worldwide sources of palladium, platinum, nickel, copper, and rhodium.
as well as gold.

According to South African President Ramaphosa, present at the ceremony, it indeed gives them a glimpse of the bright future of the mining industry in South Africa. He added that they do maintain that mining is indeed a sunrise industry, which has to continue to play a major enabling role in the development of the nation.

Ramaphosa further said that the modern concentrator plant of Platreef goes on to reflect how South Africa is indeed positioning itself as a strategic partner when it comes to the global energy transition and also the next wave pertaining to green industrialization.

Investment and Expansion Plans

The Canadian-American mining entrepreneur and billionaire, Robert Friedland, apparently has a global reputation for developing major mining projects throughout Asia, Africa as well as North America.

Friedland first gained international attention in the early 1990s after discovering the Voisey’s
Bay nickel-copper deposit in Canada, which was later sold for $4.3 billion to Inco.

Notably, Friedland also happened to be the driving force behind the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold project development based out of Mongolia and has increasingly focused on Africa, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kamoa-Kakula copper project.

A Strategic Investment

It is well to be noted that Ivanhoe Mines is offering a commitment of $1.2 billion when it comes to the first two phases of the Platreef project, with Phase 2 anticipated to come online in the latter half of 2027. If it gets approved, a potential Phase 3 could as well go ahead and add another $800 million, hence further expanding the capacity of the mine.

According to Friedland, the Phase 1 mine is only a baby first step to an operation that they will be making almost 10 times bigger across the two further phases in terms of expansion, therefore underscoring the long-term vision of Friedland for the project.

Interestingly, Platreef also goes on to mark the first major venture in South Africa by Friedland. Ivanhoe Mines goes on to have 64% of the project, whereas 26% is owned by the Black economic empowerment partners, which includes the likes of 20 local communities that represent almost 150,000 residents.

Notably, the mine has already become a major source of employment, with more than 2000 people that work on-site, most coming from the nearby communities, hence highlighting the local economic impact on the community.

Delays and Development Issues

It is worth noting that the Platreef deposit was first identified in the 1980s; however, earlier production timelines got delayed because of capital allocation as well as fluctuations when it comes to commodity prices.

Matthew Keevil, the spokesman from Ivanhoe, went on to explain that the rescheduling

was majorly based around the capital expenditure plans that were related to certain other projects, hence offering context in terms of the long development period.

He further added that they have been spending some time now and also money at Kamoa-Kakula in the last five to six years, and it is indeed not typical to go ahead and build two tier-one mines simultaneously. Apparently, PGM prices also competitively bottomed in that period, while copper has had a moment in the sun.

A New Era When It Comes to African Mining

With Platreef now getting into production, the country is positioning the mine as a flagship in terms of modern and high-tech Africa-based mining, which is capable of supplying global green-energy markets while at the same time supporting the local economic growth.

Notably, the $23 billion Simandou iron-ore mine could as well spark an international revolution by going ahead and massively decreasing the energy that is required to produce steel. The high concentration of iron that has been found in the mine needs mills to make use of less energy in order to melt the metal. This biggest mining project in the world could also greatly boost the prospects of Guinea, as the country forecasts that its GDP could also quadruple by 2040, therefore potentially making it the third largest iron ore producer in the world.

However, the critics fear that the growing dominance of China over the mineral resources in Africa could also lead to environmental damage. Recently, the Democratic Republic of Congo went on to suspend the operations of a Chinese-owned mine owing to the pollution of a local river.

As per the Star Kenya, Shanta Gold Limited, the British miner, has confirmed 1.27 million ounces of gold out of its Isulu-Bushiangala underground project, therefore marking a major milestone as largest gold deposits in Kenya within the mining sector.

The Environmental Impact Assessment – EIA report, which has been submitted to the National Environment Management Authority – NEMA goes on to outline plans in terms of a large-scale underground mine covering around 337 acres located at the Kakamega South Sub-county.

The project, which happens to be spearheaded by Shanta Gold Kenya Limited, which is a subsidiary of the London-listed firm, is going to make use of advanced long-hole open stoping tech in order to extract ore while at the same time minimizing the surface disruption.

As per the company’s statement, the project happens to be aimed at obtaining the needed authorization so as to mine the Isulu-Bushiangala gold resources because of economic purposes.

This may as well lead to the upgradation of local economic development by way of job and business opportunities as well as prominent contributions towards the government of Kenya by way of taxes, royalties, and along with them, revenue contributions that are most likely to transfer into the local as well as regional economic growth.

Major infrastructure is going to include a 1,500-tonne-per-day processing plant along with a 12-megawatt power station and also a tailings storage facility. The construction of the mine is forecasted to cost somewhere around Sh22 billion and Sh27 billion, having an operational life of a minimum of eight years.

It is well to be noted that Kenya at present happens to play quite a minor role in the gold mining industry of Africa, producing almost 410 kilograms of gold in 2023, which is far below the major producers like Ghana, South Africa as well as Sudan, each of which produce millions of ounces per year.

In spite of this low output, Kenya is indeed emerging as a very attractive new frontier when it comes to gold exploration as well as investment, ranking 6th throughout Africa in terms of mining investment attractiveness as per the survey in 2023 by the Fraser Institute.

Because of the discovery of the Isulu-Bushiangala deposit in Kakamega by Shanta Gold Limited of  US$5.29 billion, marking largest gold deposits in Kenya, the position of country could improve quite significantly, thereby signalling a transition from small-scale artisanal mining to large-scale commercial production.

As per the EIA report, the project is all set to generate millions in terms of royalties and taxes as well as community development funds. As per the Mining Act of Kenya, 3% of gross gold sales are going to be paid in terms of royalties, out of which 20% would go to Kakamega County and 10% to the local communities by way of certain development projects. Shanta Gold is also going to contribute 1% of the overall gold output value directly to the host communities, which is going to be in line with the Mining – Community Development Agreement Regulations.

Economists opine that the discovery could as well inject new life into the economy of Kenya through diversifying revenue sources that go beyond agriculture as well as tourism. It is also anticipated to bring to the fore several hundreds of jobs at the time of construction and production phases, help the local businesses, and also attract a great amount of foreign direct investment- FDI.

However, The Star Kenya also reports that there are concerns over land acquisition, displacement, as well as environmental risks, due to the fact of the close proximity of the site to the Kakamega Forest as well as other key river catchments. The company has gone on to pledge to go ahead and follow the Land Act of Kenya and also its international resettlement benchmarks so as to eradicate these challenges.

If it gets approved by NEMA, the Shanta Gold project is sure to position Kakamega as the new frontier in industrial-scale gold mining in Kenya, thereby unlocking a major new stream of economic growth as far as western Kenya and also the nation at large are concerned.

Apparently, the company said on October 3, 2025, in an update pertaining to the underground mining expansion plans for its flagship Tharisa open-pit mine located near Rustenburg, that this capital was anticipated to be financed through internal cash and external funding lines, therefore making use of balance sheet agility. Importantly, the update was offered as the base for a presentation when it came to investors on the day.

The CEO, Phoevos Pouroulis, stated in a communication that the phased approach to portal development helps with early access to reef, with the board and pillar design enabling a safe, cost-effective ramp-up along with long-term operational efficiency. He added that as they continue to innovate with purpose, they are indeed setting standards for multiple generations to come.

Importantly, he emphasized the fact that the underground mining expansion offers a high-confidence, low-geological-risk opportunity so as to sustain Tharisa Mine for more than 50 years.

It is worth noting that Tharisa Mine happens to be the flagship asset of the company, a co-producing open-pit mine when it comes to the platinum group metals as well as chrome concentrates. Significantly, there are plans for a phased move to underground mining expansion by way of the Apollo Complex-West Mine development and the Orion Complex-East Mine project.

The company stated that Tharisa Mine is all set to elevate the operational efficiency and environmental stewardship along with long-term value creation.

The present processing facilities had a capacity of 5.6 Mtpa when it came to run-of-mine (ROM), therefore ensuring production scalability and, at the same time, operational flexibility.

Apparently, the life of mine—the LOM schedule offered for the open-pit operations—is to get depleted by the 2035 financial year.

Pouroulis went on to indicate that the addition of underground mined ore from the West Mine-Apollo Complex as well as the East Mine-Orion Complex from 2031 would make sure that the 5.6 Mtpa nameplate processing capacity was achieved and, as a matter of fact, exceeded.

Both the Apollo and Orion complexes, which will be developed sequentially, happen to be designed to mine 255 ktpm, having a combined production rate of almost 510 ktpm that was capped at the plant feed capacity of 5.6 Mtpa.

All this would go on to maintain the present PGM as well as chrome concentrate output, with growth opportunities because of smarter mining and also less dilution. Apparently, a mining contractor model will be deployed.

Pouroulis further went on to state that their proven co-product business model is going to continue to give out value as they switch on a modern smart mine, therefore future-proofing their capacity to unlock long-term value by way of a more efficient, agile as well as a lower-cost mining model that happens to cover many generations.

He added that the shallow ore body helped with on-reef mechanized development, therefore delivering cleaner ROM along with significantly decreasing the waste, capital intensity as well as environmental effect.

Significantly, he went on to note that the underground project happens to be the natural progression when it comes to operations and has been established to access a multigenerational mineral resource base and elevate the operational efficiencies while, at the same time, maintaining their world-class yardsticks when it comes to health, environmental stewardship, safety, and further bloating their track record in terms of long-term value creation.

As per a third-quarter production report to June 30, 2025, the company said that the cash on hand was $164.6m, with debt of $121.5m, therefore bringing the net cash to $43.1m. At that point in time, the production was trending towards the lower end of guidance.

Interestingly, it was in May 2025 that the half-year headline earnings per share were reported 78% lower, coming to US 2.9 cents, with Tharisa carrying on with its track record in terms of generating profits, although at lower levels, thereby helping the company to consistently invest in the sustainability and, of course, growth of its operations. Besides, the company also noted they now happen to be in their tenth year in terms of returning capital to the shareholders, and at the same time they are also going ahead with their second share buyback.

It is well to be noted that the share price of Tharisa fell 1.64% to R24 on October 3, 2025. This is the price that has risen by 34% in a year and has also maintained its position on the market.

It is well to be noted that for South Africa, the implications happen to be quite profound. By way of Mining Rules Reforms in South Africa and, at the same time, streamlining licensing, the South African government is reducing the entry barriers for local as well as foreign investors.

The extensive mineral reserves of the country, which are mostly platinum, coal, manganese, iron ore, and also increasingly battery minerals, have gone on to become more attractive when they get teamed with a regulatory framework that’s efficient. Simultaneously, the privatization when it comes to rail and port infrastructure happens to address one of the greatest bottlenecks in the sector – and that’s the inefficiencies as far as the state-run logistics are concerned. The probability of enhanced capacity in 2025–2026 happens to signal not just smoother exports but, at the same time, more competitive standing when it comes to the global commodities market.

When it comes to India, this means access to resources where there are more predictable conditions, while South Africa, on the other hand, benefits from the new capital inflows, job creation, and technology transfer. Indian companies are looking at this as an opportunity where there are others who are hesitating.

It is well to be noted that these mining rules reforms in South Africa also sync well with the industrial needs of India. Rail and port privatization is anticipated to open novel avenues when it comes to Indian railway equipment manufacturers along with logistics providers. Beneficiation, which is the processing of raw minerals within the value-added products, goes on to create another fabric of opportunity. The push by South Korea to keep more and more of its mineral value chain domestic also helps India’s strengths when it comes to steel and ferro alloys as well as secondary manufacturing.

Interestingly, as there are larger global players who withdraw from the high cost of operations, nimble Indian businesses happen to be stepping in, sustaining the operations and, at the same time, making sure of continuity in terms of local employment. Besides, the partnership is not only about capital, but it is also about skills transfer.

Notably, South Africa, because of its young workforce but too short of skill, can take advantage of expertise in mining, engineering, and IT services, which India possesses.

In return for this, India gains a strong foothold across the most industrialized economy in South Africa, therefore leveraging South Africa as a sort of launchpad when it comes to wider continental engagements.

Historical Context – Right from Maritime Trade to Strategic Collaboration

The deepening economic ties cannot be cut off from history. India and South Africa happen to share centuries of connection throughout the Indian Ocean. Right from the 16th century, the maritime trade went on to connect Indian textiles and spices to ivory and other commodities from South Africa. When we talk of the 19th century, British colonialism brought more than 140,000 indentured laborers from India to the sugar plantations in South Africa by establishing a vibrant Indian community, which continues to shape the social fabric of the country. These ties go beyond and are also visible in the political arena. South Africa is where Mahatma Gandhi began his philosophy of Satyagraha, thereby making India a very early and vocal supporter when it came to the anti-apartheid struggle.

After 1994, as South Africa shifted to democracy, India was one of the first countries that formalized the relations under a 1997 strategic collaboration rooted in South–South cooperation. Today, this collaboration happens to go beyond the symbolic solidarity, stressing development and investment as well as joint responses to challenges that are faced globally.

Continental implications Go ahead and drive global comparisons

Apparently, South Africa’s reforms have had a ripple effect all throughout the continent. Through tackling infrastructure inefficiencies and by liberalizing the mining, the country has set standards for the largest mineral economies of South Africa. For countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and Guinea, where there are logistical hurdles that stifle competitiveness, the model of South Africa goes on to demonstrate how public-private partnerships can actually go ahead and unlock the value. Enhanced port as well as rail systems also go on to benefit the neighboring states since South Africa is known as a major export gateway when it comes to landlocked economies like Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Lesotho. Comparatively, while there are many African countries that depend quite heavily on state-owned enterprises in order to manage resources as well as infrastructure, the move by South Africa towards privatization and liberalization is in sync with the global best practices. Countries like Australia as well as Chile, both of which happen to be mining powerhouses, have for long attracted foreign investment through creating balanced, transparent frameworks along with efficient logistics.

The fact is that if South Africa goes on to sustain its present trajectory, it could very well go ahead and consolidate its position as the mining hub of Africa while at the same time boosting the share of the continent across worldwide value chains. When it comes to India, implications go far beyond South Africa.

Success over here would cement an India–Africa economic corridor that rivals the long-standing dominance of China. The fact is that as global supply chains go on to diversify and the West looks for alternatives to China, the resources of Africa teamed with the industrial base of India would very well create a mutually reinforcing partnership.

South Africa being a continental standard-bearer

South Africa’s decision to reform its own mining sector and at the same time go ahead and privatize infrastructure can be seen as more than just a domestic policy shift – it is a signal to the world that Africa is up and running to compete on the modern terms. Through attracting Indian businesses, South Africa is not just unlocking the investment, but it is, at the same time, strengthening its historical ties and making sure that those skills, along with technology, make their way into its economy. The fact is that the wider African continent stands to gain from the example with reforms that go on to address the bottlenecks, give priority to beneficiation, and also invite private-sector partnerships, which can reposition Africa to be a central player when it comes to the 21st-century global economy. In the middle of this dynamic, the country has gone on to become more than just a mineral exporter. It has emerged as a major continental standard-bearer, therefore showing how Africa can make utmost use of its resources, modernize the infrastructure, and at the same time deepen the partnerships that balance history along with future ambition.

The most recent Fortuna boosts resource estimate indicates that Diamba Sud presently contains about 724,000 ounces of gold in indicated resources. This represents an impressive 53% surge from the earlier estimate in December 2024. Additionally, the inferred resource has also experienced a substantial increase of 93%, which now stands at around 285,000 ounces of gold.

The mineral resource is over seven deposits — Area A, Area D, Karakara, Western Splay, Kassassoko, Southern Arc and Moungoundi — based on drilling data from a combined total of 1,178 diamond and reverse circulation holes drilled since 2019.

The upgrade takes in more than 31,000 metres of drilling (243 holes) completed on the property for the last twelve months up to July 2025. It includes first estimates for the Moungoundi and Southern Arc deposits, containing 194,000 and 31,000 ounces, respectively.

Fortuna said it is planning further drilling for the fourth quarter of 2025. Meanwhile, the PEA work on Diamba Sud is in progress, with completion also envisioned for Q4.

Following up on the recent decision by the company to exit from Burkina Faso, where there are jurisdictional risks, its main asset is in West Africa, Séguéla mine in Côte d’Ivoire, which started producing two years ago. Diamba Sud was acquired in 2023 by Fortuna to increase its output within that region.

Shares of the Canadian-based gold miner jumped 7.3% to C$9.46 per share by midday, for a market capitalization of C$2.93 billion ($2.13 billion).

This kind of trend spans across West as well as East Africa’s coup belt, which includes Niger, Guinea, and Mali, where the military dreams have seized the power in recent years and also elected governments, such as the one in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

It is well to be noted that the governments have also been emboldened in order to act by the worldwide race for critical minerals, which are essential to high-tech as well as defence industries and also transition to cleaner energy segments.

The raid on the Loulo-Gounkoto complex, wherein the government seized more than a ton of gold, has added to the woes of the Canadian company, which had already lost functional rights to the mine after it closed in January 2025 because of another government seizure of the precious metal. It is worth noting that Niger has moved to nationalize a uranium mine, which is jointly operated with Orano, which happens to be a French state-owned entity, while Guinea has revoked many licenses throughout its gold, diamond, bauxite, graphite, and iron sectors.

Apparently, the Democratic Republic of Congo, in June 2025, went on to extend a ban on the export of cobalt, which happens to be a very critical battery metal, in an attempt to boost the prices, thereby leading to Glencore, a commodity company, declaring a force majeure when it comes to some of its contractual obligations.

Daniel Litvin, who is the chief executive of Resource Resolutions, a mineral contract resolution company, said that Western companies are often still playing when it comes to some of the old rules of the game, and in terms of how to make use of government, that’s fundamentally at odds with them.

He added that the companies need to make their game more sophisticated and get a deeper understanding of the motivation of host governments, something which, according to him, Chinese companies are better at doing—rather than taking the patronizing view of assuming things, they were acting irrationally.

While there are some governments that have already embraced more overt resource nationalism by way of demanding a greater share in terms of revenues and also increasing the state participation within the joint ventures, there are others that look forward to moving up the value chain by exerting control in terms of processing raw materials.

Some democracies have already sought to extract concessions from certain foreign miners in the run-up to their respective elections, and wider geopolitical considerations have also come to play a major role since some countries, like Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, have gone to reduce their ties with formal colonial rulers as well as other Western nations.

The military leader of Mali, Assimi Goita, in June 2025, broke ground on a gold refinery project that was built with a Russian conglomerate as well as a Swiss investment company, which, according to him, would assert the economic sovereignty of the nation.

Verisk Maplecroft, which happens to be a risk intelligence company, said that resource nationalism had gone on to become a very important theme when it comes to its engagement with clients within the extractive sectors. Other industry figures happen to say that the mining groups were embracing a multitrack approach and even sometimes pursued certain backchannel negotiations as they went ahead with some legal cases against the host governments. The mining companies in Africa are looking out for adapting novel ways in order to sync-in with the African state policies.

However, such deals can indeed carry the risk of being perceived as improper or done under duress. The issues concerning anticorruption advocates were underscored after President Donald Trump went on to instruct his Justice Department to pause the enforcement of a law that banned bribery of foreign officials.

Litvin went on to warn at the resource resolutions that deal with which have been won by conducting unethical practices are indeed short-term wins. According to him, companies should double down on their commitment when it comes to international benchmarks, and it’s a short-term win if they go on to engage in certain malpractices.

An analyst from Verisk Maplecroft, Michaud Durmaz, said that the company could enhance relations with host governments by way of promoting broad socioeconomic development, like by investing in infrastructure. It was no longer viable just to go ahead and exploit resources and move on, he said.

The chief executive of Barrick, Mark Bristow, said in a letter on the company’s website that it was indeed committed to Mali, in spite of the extraordinary and unprecedented barriers that they are facing.

In the letter, he added that their relationship with Mali goes on to represent more than just a business partnership; it exemplifies the shared value creation, which has gone on to define their approach towards responsible mining throughout Africa and across the world.

One of the Morocco-based political economists at Oxford Economics, François Conradie, went on to point out the Simandou project in Guinea as an example of mining companies in Africa that happen to be investing in infrastructure development. Rio Tinto, which is an Anglo-Australian company, along with its partners, which include the likes of several Chinese firms, is also constructing railway as well as port facilities.

Conradi went on to warn that companies will be required to avoid sitting on licenses without exploiting them, which mostly leads to already cash-strapped governments losing the much-required flows of taxes as well as royalties.

It is well to be noted that Orano delayed the production at the Imouraren mine, which is located in northern Niger, for many years as uranium prices went on to collapse and was later stripped of its rights to the site since relations between France and Niger collapsed.

Conradie said that if one comes to a country, one has to put money into the state coffers.

However, analysts have found that governments are also required to tread carefully so that they do not deter investments within their industries. Durmaz opined that the risk for investors in Niger and Mali has transitioned in the wrong direction, whereas Guinea happens to have more risk than benefits.

The founder of Sarama Resources, Andrew Dinning, said that the withdrawal by Western investors could very well create a vacuum, which would most likely get filled by either Chinese or non-Western money. It is well to be noted that Sarana Resources has already begun arbitration proceedings against the Burkina Faso government.