Tag: Critical Minerals

From Ore to Intelligence: How AI Will Rewrite Africa’s Resource Power

Africa holds a dominant share of the world’s critical minerals, yet continues to capture limited value due to structural and informational asymmetries. In From Ore to Intelligence, Enoch Antwi argues that artificial intelligence is transforming mineral exploration, valuation, and extraction—shifting power from resource ownership to data and algorithmic control. With AI-driven systems dramatically improving discovery success rates, reducing exploration timelines, and increasing asset valuation, the article highlights how control over subsurface intelligence is becoming the new frontier of economic leverage. As global demand for cobalt, copper, lithium, and other strategic minerals accelerates, Africa faces a pivotal choice: build domestic AI capacity and retain value, or risk ceding the informational premium to foreign firms. The future of resource power, the article concludes, will be defined not by who owns the ore, but by who controls the intelligence behind it.

Africa’s Critical Minerals and the Reshaping of Global Semiconductor Supply Chains

Africa’s critical minerals—including cobalt, platinum group metals, lithium, graphite, and rare earth elements—are essential for semiconductor production, electric vehicles, data centers, and advanced electronics. As semiconductor manufacturing consolidates in strategic networks across the United States, Taiwan, and Japan, African countries face a policy crossroads: align with Western supply chain standards, deepen engagement with China, or pursue multi-vector strategies. Regional initiatives like AfCFTA and national beneficiation policies offer pathways to capture greater value, strengthen industrial sovereignty, and redefine Africa’s role in the global technology economy.

Mining Indaba 2026: French Delegation Returns to Indaba

Mining Indaba 2026 will see the return of the French Delegation to Cape Town, led by Business France, highlighting France’s expertise in mining, energy, infrastructure and industrial services across Africa. Taking place from 9–12 February 2026, the event brings together global mining leaders to address critical minerals, energy transition, sustainable mining, and resilient supply chains. Through the France Pavilion at the EU Pavilion, French public institutions and private-sector companies aim to strengthen international partnerships, promote responsible mining practices, and support Africa’s role as a strategic hub in the global energy and industrial transition.

South African-founded maxwell+spark Closes $15M Series B Round with Chevron Technology Ventures, Idemitsu, and Klima

South African green-tech pioneer maxwell+spark raises $15M Series B led by Klima, Chevron Technology Ventures, and Idemitsu to expand its unified lithium-ion battery ecosystem. The funding accelerates global electrification across forklifts, transport refrigeration, and backup power — replacing diesel and lead-acid systems with cleaner, data-driven solutions.

Future-Fit Financing for African Mining Hinges on ESG

The article “Future-Fit Financing for African Mining Hinges on ESG” discusses the increasing importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in securing financing for African mining operations. It highlights the challenges and opportunities that ESG considerations present for the industry’s future.