It is said that mining is a patient industry. Current demand projections are not. Demand for minerals deemed ‘critical’ is set to increase almost fourfold by 2030, according to the UN. Demand for nickel, cobalt and lithium is predicted to double, triple and rise ten-fold, respectively, between 2022 and 2050. The world will need to mine more copper between 2018 and 2050 than it has mined throughout history. 2050 is also the deadline to curb emissions before reaching a point of ‘no return.’ The pace of mineral demand and the consequences of not meeting it force the industry to act fast and take more risks. Mining cannot afford to be a patient industry anymore. The scramble for supply drives miners back to geological credentials, and therefore to places like the African Central Copperbelt.

The main point of attraction to Africa is obvious: It is the most resource-abundant continent, yet investment decisions are rarely driven by geology alone, or else, Africa would be the main beneficiary of exploration dollars. The 11th edition of the Mining in Africa Country Investment Guide (MACIG) deals with a perennial question: How investable is Africa? Drawing from interviews with mining operators and financial institutions, we conclude that Africa is probably riskier today than it was a decade ago when GBR compiled its first MACIG report. However, the rewards – and the stakes – are also higher, and Africa’s prime geology and its relevance to current geopolitical trends have helped offset higher jurisdictional risks.

The second section of the report charts Africa’s positioning in eight key commodities: gold, copper, uranium, coal, manganese, nickel, graphite and lithium. In the third section, we are examining 12 of Africa’s mining jurisdictions, by region: Southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia), West Africa (Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire), Central Africa (Zambia, the DRC), and East Africa (Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia). Juggling the tricky politics of omission and inclusion, we go beyond reporting on the usual suspects – the well-known mining countries – and we test new grounds, particularly in the East African section. Lastly, we wrap up our extended ‘map’ of the industry with an analysis of the supply chain. Articles on logistics, power, equipment and technology are woven into a larger discussion about value addition on the continent. We study the perennial question of how to turn Africa’s value deficit into a value surplus through meaningful investments and what constitutes such investments.

TESTIMONIALS

"It is always a pleasure working with the GBR team. The MACIG continues to be a valuable publication with helpful insights on mining in Africa." – Errol Smart - CEO and Managing Director - Orion Minerals

"This is the first time I have contributed to MACIG and have found the GBR team to be really professional and easy to work with. The report produced is high quality and engaging." – Greg Hayes, Senior VP Project Development, Minerals & Metals, Wood

"FQM has worked with GBR the last 4 years to communicate news about its operations, projects and impact in the areas the company operates. The most recent work, early this year, focused on FQM’ latest projects  -  Enterprise Nickel (in commercial production from June 2024) and the Kansanshi S3 Expansion project (scheduled for commissioning mid-2025). The reporting by GBR was, as always, accurate, succinct and factual and the team is exceptionally professional and a pleasure to work with" – Anthony Mukutuma, Director Zambia, First Quantum Minerals 

“GoviEx Uranium has for several years provided interviews to MACIG. These interview, because of the questions posed, provide insightful understanding of our company and the regions in which we operate. The team at MACIG provide a very professional service and are a pleasure to work with, and we look forward to future collaboration”  – Daniel Major, CEO, GoviEx Uranium

“We appreciated the opportunity to share our story and showcase our strengths as TAKRAF.  The interview process was seamless and we are grateful for the exposure.” – Richard Späth, MD of TAKRAF South Africa.

"I have had the privilege of contributing to GBR's MACIG publication a few times. The GBR team is highly professional and maintains excellent communication throughout the entire process, from pre-interview to publication. Their approach to compiling reports is both creative and thorough, ensuring that no points are ever misrepresented." – Sifiso Siwela, Principal Consultant and Africa Lead - Technical Mining Services

"This was my first feature for the publication and my initial collaboration with the MACIG team. It was an interesting journey, very guided and transparent. The MACIG team is brilliant, professional, and knowledgeable about the TIC sector and its importance to mining. I felt that MACIG recognised the important role that Bureau Veritas plays in shaping the future of the mining sector, and they effectively communicated this, including my personal role in serving the mining industry. I look forward to many more collaborations." – Mashudu Lembede, Mining market Leader Africa, Bureau Veritas

“From our first encounter with GBR, we have found the staff to be both welcoming and highly professional; our snippet was consistently accurate and well-crafted. MMC is delighted to be affiliated with such an outstanding publishing group.” – Louis Nel, Chief Executive Officer, Manganese Metal Company (MMC)

"I wanted to thank you for including me in the MAGIC 2025 report, im deeply honored and grateful and also wish to congratulate you on a fantastic job. The quality of the work is admirable and quite unique, so kudos to you and your wider team." – Omid Ameri, Managing Director, Woodcross Resources

"It has been a pleasure dealing with the MACIG team over the years. All the interactions with MACIG has been professional. I have enjoyed discussing relevant topics and the ever changing mining environment in Africa and the role that Kanu Equipment is playing on the Continent. I look forward to many more interactions with the MACIG team." – Stephen Smithyman, Chief Executive Officer, Kanu equipment

"Speaking with BGR was not just a pleasure—it was a meaningful moment to reflect on the journey, the challenges, and the impact of our work. Their ability to capture the heart of a company and make its value resonate with readers is truly special. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of the thoughtful industry-wide conversation they foster so well" – Jason Clarke, CEO, Society Artisanal