Africa Mining News of Week 1, 2026

Dear Africa Mining Community,

Welcome to the mining brief of Week 1: 2026, where we unpack the key decisions, policy shifts, and project milestones that moved Africa’s mining sector over the past week. From regulatory disputes and export controls to currency realignments and downstream investment, this edition reflects how rapidly the operating landscape is evolving.

This week’s roundup covers high-stakes developments in Guinea’s bauxite sector, Zambia’s move toward yuan-based mining payments, critical updates in the D.R. Congo’s cobalt market, and strategic signals from Botswana and Liberia as they reshape their minerals and energy ambitions.

As always, AFMICO brings you clear, concise insights to help you stay ahead of the trends shaping Africa’s resource economy.

Enjoy this week's insights,

Team AFMICO

Africa Mining News of Week 1, 2026

Axis files $29bn arbitration against Guinea over bauxite permit

Axis International, a UAE based bauxite producer, has filed a $28.9 billion arbitration case against the Republic of Guinea at the World Bank’s International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes after Guinea revoked its mining permit, saying the move was unlawful and part of a wider crackdown that saw more than 50 permits cancelled in May, the company says it has run an active bauxite mine in Boffa since 2020, exported 18 million tonnes in 2024, holds proven reserves of over 800 million tonnes, and was aiming to reach 48 million tonnes of output in 2025, Axis also claims authorities seized equipment and froze bank accounts, Guinea owns a minority stake alongside a local operating partner, other miners like Nomad Bauxite Corporation and Nimba Investment LLC have filed similar claims, and the actions are linked to President Mamadi Doumbouya’s Simandou 2040 plan to increase local processing in a country that holds the world’s largest bauxite reserves and plays a key role in global aluminium supply chains.

Zambia accepts yuan for mining taxes as Chinese copper producers shift payments

Chinese mining companies in Zambia have started paying mining royalties and taxes in Chinese yuan, making Zambia the first African country to officially accept mining tax payments in renminbi, a move confirmed by the Bank of Zambia that began in October and mainly applies to Chinese-owned mines exporting copper to China, the policy allows companies to pay in either US dollars or yuan, supports Zambia’s goal to diversify foreign currency reserves and reduce dependence on the dollar, helps the country manage and service its Chinese debt more cheaply by holding yuan reserves, and is backed by a new renminbi to kwacha exchange rate, the change builds on mining tax rules introduced in 2018 and expanded in 2020, comes as China invests billions to boost copper output amid strong price gains, and positions Zambia, Africa’s second largest copper producer, as a key test case for the wider international use of the yuan in resource-rich, China-linked economies.

D.R. Congo Extends Cobalt Export Quotas to March 2026

The Democratic Republic of Congo has extended the validity of its fourth quarter 2025 cobalt export quotas until March 31 as preparations for a new export quota system take longer than expected, easing supply pressure after months of disruption in the global market, Congo produces over 70 percent of the world’s mined cobalt with output around 280,000 metric tons this year, a previous export ban pushed prices higher and tightened supply, the new quota system launched on October 16 allocated 18,125 metric tons for the fourth quarter, annual exports will be capped at 96,600 metric tons from 2026, mining regulator ARECOMS confirmed the extension, CMOC and Glencore received the largest allocations with 6,650 tons and 3,925 tons respectively, Glencore is expected to be the first to test the system, preparations are underway for CMOC’s first shipment, ARECOMS may review requests to change quotas, and no official date has been set for full implementation, while the extension allows miners more time to complete loading, customs payments, and final approvals.

Ivanhoe starts copper anode production at Kamoa-Kakula smelter in DRC

Ivanhoe Mines has started copper anode production at its new direct-to-blister smelter at the Kamoa-Kakula complex in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with first output achieved on December 29, 2025, meeting company guidance and setting the stage for the facility to become Africa’s largest copper smelter once fully ramped up, the smelter has a capacity of 500,000 tonnes per year and produces 99.7 percent pure copper anodes, full ramp-up is expected by year-end, 2026 copper production is forecast at 380,000 to 420,000 tonnes, smelter output is expected to be higher due to the use of existing concentrate stockpiles, on-site concentrate inventories are expected to fall in 2026 with excess material sent to the Lualaba smelter if needed, and Ivanhoe also reported strong progress at the Kakula mine after last year’s earthquake, with Stage 2 dewatering completed early, selective mining resumed, and full operations expected to continue without major disruption as copper prices remain near record highs.

Botswana plans Moscow embassy, invites Russia into minerals sector

Botswana plans to open an embassy in Moscow and has invited Russian investors to explore opportunities in rare earth minerals and diamonds, showing a move to broaden its international partnerships as Russia increases its presence in Africa, officials said Botswana’s political and economic stability makes it an attractive destination, diamonds account for about one third of government revenue and most foreign exchange earnings, and the country is also looking to develop strategic minerals, Russia’s mining group Norilsk Nickel previously settled an asset dispute in Botswana in 2021 involving the government and BCL Group, and the outreach reflects Botswana’s effort to diversify investment partners while building on its strong diamond sector.

Liberia aims for US$3 billion a year from mining and energy by 2029

Liberia has launched a 2025 to 2029 strategy through the Ministry of Mines and Energy to generate over US$3 billion a year from mining and energy by strengthening exploration, updating geological data, modernizing governance, and increasing state equity in projects, with support from partners such as France, China, and the United States, plans include digitizing 80 percent of ministry procedures, expanding artisanal and small scale mining licenses to 1,000, creating 15 cooperatives, and relying less on royalties by securing a 10 to 15 percent free carried interest in mining projects, the strategy is backed by US$39.5 million including African Development Bank funding, builds on US$1.16 billion in mining exports recorded in 2023 mainly from gold and iron ore, and includes offshore exploration blocks aimed at future oil discoveries.