Public and private sector entities across Southern Africa’s mining industry are intensifying their efforts to boost the critical mineral value chain, aiming to drive economic growth in the region. In a significant move, Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Botswana have signed an agreement to modernize an existing railway line and construct a new railway and deep-water port in Mozambique. This new transnational railway will play a pivotal role in transporting critical minerals such as Botswana’s copper, manganese, cobalt and nickel, Zimbabwe’s platinum, and Mozambique’s graphite to international markets.
The Mining Industry Association of Southern Africa (MIASA) has also committed to advancing regional cooperation by joining the Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) Summit as a strategic partner. MIASA’s involvement highlights the importance of the summit in fostering the growth of Africa’s critical mineral industry by bringing together regional stakeholders to focus on policy development, technical expertise, investment, and capacity building.
Rachelle Kasongo, Project Director at Energy Capital & Power, the organization behind CMA, emphasized the increasing demand for clean energy technologies, which is driving the need for Southern Africa’s critical minerals. She stated, “Cooperation between Southern Africa’s mining stakeholders is essential to unlock the region’s full potential in critical minerals, which will drive the global energy transition and bolster local economies.”
Since its establishment in 1998, MIASA has been at the forefront of promoting collaboration between the SADC mining sector and the private industry, encouraging best practices, and creating a conducive environment for growth. MIASA unites Chambers of Mines from 11 countries, including Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Madagascar, Mozambique, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
In another regional development, Cape Town investment agency Wesgro and Namibia’s Environmental Investment Fund signed an agreement in May 2024 to advance green hydrogen infrastructure. This project aims to connect South Africa’s Western and Northern Cape regions with Namibia’s Lüderitz/Windhoek area, boosting the use of South Africa’s platinum group metals for green hydrogen applications. This initiative is expected to enhance local and regional energy security, support decarbonization efforts, and drive economic growth.
Further collaboration is underway between the DRC, Angola, and Zambia, as well as global partners like the European Union and the U.S. government. The Lobito Corridor project is a key focus, with the Lobito Atlantic Railway consortium beginning operations at Angola’s Port of Lobito in July 2024. The port received its first cargo vessel, carrying 40,500 tons of sulfur destined for the DRC and Zambia for mining applications.
Additionally, South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources and Petroleum is exploring opportunities in South Sudan, partnering with the country’s Ministry of Mining. This partnership aims to enhance South Sudan’s position in the global critical mineral sector while leveraging South Africa’s industry expertise to advance local and regional mining activities.
At the CMA Summit, MIASA will update participants on its members’ activities and highlight investment and partnership opportunities within Southern Africa’s energy transition metals sector, underscoring the region’s commitment to expanding its role in the global critical mineral market.
