This first issue of the Engineering News & Mining Weekly Africa Edition focuses on a turning point in Africa’s history – whether the decisions made by the continent’s leaders will eventually result in a royal flush of sustainable developments that enable Africa to derive true value and benefi t from its critical minerals wealth.

The continent comprises 54 countries and of those countries 31 are endowed with minerals that are strategically relevant to the world’s energy transition and other technological advancements. One could say, Africa holds the cards – considering global critical minerals demand – to whether its reserves are a boon or curse. 

In the inaugural cover article on pages 10 to 19, experts unpack the complexity of the critical minerals mining space in Africa and the need for a unifi ed front.

“The most desirable outcome is a regionally coordinated industrialisation pathway rather than fragmented national efforts,” says Institute for Security Studies African Futures and Innovation senior research consultant Dr Marvellous Ngundu.

Panellists taking part in a discussion at this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba highlighted that while Africa holds about 30% of global mineral reserves, only about 10% of current output is processed locally – largely owing to persistent gaps in energy, transport and logistics infrastructure. Read pages 36 to 39.

Responsible Business Alliance senior director Fabiana Di Lorenzo adds that while Western countries prioritise securing supply for their own transitions, African nations are more focused on leveraging mineral wealth for industrialisation, job creation and broader economic development. Read pages 28 to 32.

With demand for Africa’s critical minerals a given, Webber Wentzel partner Meluleki Nzimande underscores that a real opportunity for beneficiary countries would lie in leveraging the African Growth and Opportunity Act to procure local processing of the critical minerals the US needs, and currently does not process onshore. Read pages 40 to 42.

Minerals Council South Africa senior executive for environment, health, legacies and employee relations Shamini Harrington says that what defines a critical mineral depends on a country’s goals. While countries in Europe and North America typically 
define critical minerals as those essential for defence and the green energy transition, South Africa includes coal in its own critical minerals strategy owing to its role in supporting domestic industry, employment and energy supply. Read pages 46 to 50.

Ivanhoe Atlantic chairperson Peter Pham emphasises that investors are primarily seeking predictable operating environments in Africa, including strong rule of law, transparent regulatory frameworks and social licence to operate. Read pages 36 to 39.

Chatham House associate fellow Sheila Khama warns that any government that views mineral, oil and gas resources as a political tool already has destroyed value. 

“My sense is that the policies that don’t work are the ones that are really responding to national political sentiment rather than looking genuinely at the economics, fi rst of the particular deposit, but then also on the value chain of the particular mineral.” Read pages 58 to 62.