While discussions covered a broad range of security risks facing the mining sector, one theme that consistently stood out was the insider threats within the industry. It was highlighted that the greatest danger to mining operations often comes not from outside criminal syndicates, but from individuals within organisations who exploit security weaknesses or collaborate with illegal mining networks.

A recurring message throughout the conference was the need for stronger human capital development in mining security, with comprehensive training and greater awareness required across the entire mining value chain.

Corruption fuels illegal mining

Addressing delegates, Dr Lincoln Cave identified corruption as the single biggest enabler of illegal mining, describing it as a problem that extends far beyond criminal syndicates operating on mine sites.

Drawing on examples from South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana and Tanzania, Cave said illegal mining is sustained by a network of participants that can include corrupt employees, security personnel, suppliers, community collaborators and, in some instances, public officials.

He also highlighted the role that professionals such as accountants, lawyers and precious metals dealers can play in facilitating illicit activities, whether knowingly or inadvertently.

“While these professionals provide essential services, they can also become enablers of illicit financial flows if adequate oversight and accountability are lacking,” Cave said.

Illegal mining carries a heavy economic cost

Joe van der Walt of Focus Group expanded on the economic impact of illegal mining, describing unemployment as one of the primary drivers of the problem in South Africa.

Given mining’s significant contribution to the country’s economy, he argued that illegal mining undermines economic growth while strengthening organised criminal networks.

According to figures presented during the conference:

• Illegal mining costs South Africa more than R70 billion every year.
• At least 5% of the country’s annual gold production is lost to illicit activities.
• More than one million tonnes of chrome ore are illegally exported annually, representing over 10% of legal production.
• The number of illegal miners is estimated to exceed 50 000, increasing more than tenfold over the past two decades.

The enemy within

Van der Walt argued that mining companies need to elevate security from a support function to a strategic business priority, particularly as organised mining crime becomes increasingly sophisticated.

He stressed that understanding criminal networks is fundamental to building an effective security strategy.

“I believe we still do not fully understand our adversaries or give them the level of respect they deserve. Once you understand who you are dealing with, you are better positioned to anticipate their actions, identify vulnerabilities and strengthen your response,” he said.

While illegal miners, commonly known as zama zamas, remain the most visible threat, Van der Walt said internal actors often pose the greatest risk.

“As security managers we must recognise that the most dangerous adversaries are those within our own organisations, the individuals among us,” he said.

These insider threats include employees motivated by financial gain, individuals seeking revenge or influence, poorly trained staff whose mistakes create vulnerabilities, as well as compromised procurement officials, security personnel and labour representatives who become influenced by criminal syndicates.

According to Van der Walt, financial motivation remains the strongest driver.

“Those who have no money long for some, those who have some money strive for more, those who have the most hoard it jealously. At this stage, criminality is often opportunistic rather than ideological,” he said.

He added that organised crime is becoming increasingly sophisticated, with syndicates seeking not only to extract minerals illegally but to establish and control parallel mining economies that operate alongside legitimate businesses.

Moving from reaction to prevention

Rather than continuing to respond to incidents after they occur, speakers agreed that the mining industry needs to adopt a proactive, intelligence-led approach to security.

Among the key recommendations presented were integrating security into executive decision-making, developing a mission-driven security culture, and focusing on dismantling criminal networks instead of merely containing their activities.

Technology was also identified as a critical enabler. Experts advocated combining human intelligence gathered from employees and surrounding communities with advanced data analytics, artificial intelligence, biometric access control and integrated Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms to detect suspicious behaviour before incidents occur.

Enhanced vetting and continuous re-vetting of employees and contractors, particularly those working in high-risk areas such as processing plants, refineries and control rooms, were also highlighted as essential measures.

Beyond technology, speakers emphasised the importance of building an organisational culture based on integrity through continuous training, anonymous reporting mechanisms, and recognising employees who identify irregularities.

They also acknowledged that addressing the socio-economic factors driving illegal mining remains vital. Creating legitimate employment opportunities, supporting surrounding communities and reducing the conditions that make recruitment into criminal syndicates attractive were identified as equally important components of long-term security.

A shared responsibility

The conference made it clear that the mining industry’s security challenge extends far beyond physical infrastructure and perimeter protection. As organised crime becomes more sophisticated and increasingly reliant on insider collaboration, mining companies must rethink how security is managed.

Protecting mines will require more than stronger fences and surveillance systems. It will depend on creating resilient organisations where security is embedded in business strategy, employees become the first line of defense rather than the weakest link, and intelligence, technology and collaboration work together to stay ahead of increasingly organised criminal networks. Only by tackling both the human and operational dimensions of security can the industry hope to safeguard its people, assets and long-term sustainability.

The post Insider threats emerge as one of mining’s biggest security challenge appeared first on Mining Business Africa.

In a recent episode of the In Good Company podcast hosted by Nicolai Tangen, Dangote reflected on how the shortages of essential resources in countries like Zambia inspired him to focus on bolstering his country’s industrial capacity. “Nigeria, even on Christmas Day, still struggles with fuel. I decided I was going to build a refinery, the biggest ever in the world, costing more than $20 billion,” he shared, outlining the vision behind his most ambitious project yet, the Dangote Refinery.

Launched in 2013, the refinery project has illuminated the deep infrastructural deficiencies within Nigeria. With no suitable port available to support operations, Dangote undertook the colossal task of constructing one himself, complete with harbours, roads, water reservoirs, and various facilities typically the responsibility of the government. At its peak, the ambitious project employed an impressive 67,000 people, spotlighting its vast economic impact.

Now situated in Lekki, Nigeria, the Dangote Refinery began its phased opening in May 2023, initially rolling out an impressive capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd). Following a successful production launch of petrol in September 2024, it reached full operational capacity in February 2026. In a commitment to Nigeria’s energy independence, plans are already in place to double output to 1.4 million bpd by 2028, a move poised to redefine the energy landscape not just in Nigeria, but throughout Africa.

When discussing sourcing crude oil, Dangote confirmed, “We source about 56% from Nigeria, and the rest from Angola, Libya, and the US. At one point, we were importing seven to eight cargoes of WTI from the US. Now we buy around 21 cargoes every month. That’s how big we are.” This ambitious expansion signals not only Dangote’s personal investment but a strategic initiative to enhance Africa’s refining capabilities.

As global instability in the Middle East rises and demands for critical minerals escalate, Africa faces mounting pressure to develop resilient infrastructures. Dangote’s vision extends beyond Nigeria; he is actively eyeing potential refinery projects in countries like Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya, striving for a pan-African approach to boost local economies and self-sufficiency.

Moreover, Dangote is delving into Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) development as part of his broader strategy in Nigeria. “We’re doing a gas infrastructure to remove all the gas that is flaring in the southern and eastern parts, bringing it to the west where we are setting off an LNG plant about 12 million tons,” he said.

This robust approach exemplifies Dangote’s commitment not merely to business growth but to igniting a transformational change in Nigeria’s energy consumption and production. With the Dangote Refinery, the narrative of energy scarcity may soon become a chapter of Nigeria’s past.

The post Aliko Dangote outlines his vision on building Africa’s energy future appeared first on Mining Business Africa.

Nigeria, the largest oil producer in Africa, presents a perplexing paradox. As the nation struggles with an unreliable electricity supply, Senator Danjuma Goje starkly stated, “Only China can solve Nigeria’s electricity challenges.” This sentiment encapsulates the bitter truth: despite its oil riches, Nigeria has been unable to harness that wealth to develop a stable and resilient power infrastructure. The nation’s energy crisis highlights not just the failure to turn resources into power, but a governmental and systemic shortfall that has left many in the dark.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s energy landscape offers a glimpse of both progress and persistent peril. In recent months, the country has witnessed a slight reprieve from harsh load-shedding measures. However, as Dominic Goncalves, Advisory Partner for Energy Strategy at Cresco Project Finance and Founder of Naviara Energy, elucidates, the nation’s reliance on diesel generators as a backup fuel remains precarious. The ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz has raised alarms about energy security, revealing vulnerabilities in what was once seen as a safety net for South Africa’s power systems.

“Diesel has always been the last line of defence for power systems globally and in South Africa… until the Strait of Hormuz crisis exposed an energy security risk at the fuel level and at the on-site, back-up level for critical loads,” Goncalves explained.

WATCH: Senator Danjuma Goje stating, “only China can solve Nigeria’s electricity challenges

These challenges converge into dual energy security risks that South Africa cannot afford to ignore. Electric reliability and diesel dependency now overlap in a manner that could sow chaos across essential services. Hospitals, data centres, and critical industries that depend on diesel generators during outages are at risk of crippling shortages should the situation deteriorate further.

The future of Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned power utility, looms as a dark cloud over the nation’s energy stability. Having endured three significant load-shedding crises since 2008, the looming coal decommissioning schedule poses another threat, with almost half of Eskom’s ageing coal fleet set for retirement.

Goncalves warns that without the swift deployment of replacement technologies like liquefied natural gas (LNG), nuclear energy, and battery energy storage systems (BESS), South Africa may face another crisis within the next three to four years. The Cresco National Energy Balance model paints a troubling picture: while renewable energy surpluses may flood the system during the day, significant shortages are anticipated in the mornings, evenings, and colder months, exacerbating Eskom’s reliance on diesel and highlighting the deepening vulnerabilities exposed by global fuel supply disruptions.

Ultimately, Africa’s electricity crisis transcends infrastructure deficiencies; it raises urgent questions about energy security amid a volatile global market. The paradox of Nigeria’s abundant oil riches juxtaposed with its power poverty, alongside South Africa’s fragile diesel dependence, underscores a pressing imperative for diversified and resilient energy strategies. As both nations grapple with their energy futures, only time will reveal whether they can overcome these crippling challenges and forge a brighter, more sustainable energy landscape for the continent.

The post Africa’s electricity crisis: diesel dependency and the risk of load-shedding appeared first on Mining Business Africa.

This development is part of a wider trend across Africa, where mineral-rich nations are actively pursuing national geomapping programs to strengthen production capabilities, de-risk exploration projects, and position the continent as a pivotal player in the global mineral supply chain. The new partnership is not merely a localised effort; rather, it reflects a continental ambition to unlock Africa’s vast but underexploited mineral resources, valued at an estimated $8.5 trillion.

The significance of geomapping initiatives will take centre stage at the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) Conference and Exhibition, scheduled for October 14-16 in Cape Town. This prestigious event, known as one of the most influential mining conferences in Africa, aims to connect global investors and geophysical technology providers with African regulators and project developers, paving the way for strategic collaborations that could catalyse greenfield developments across the continent.

The theme for AMW 2026, “Mining the Future: Unearthing Africa’s Full Mineral Value Chain,” encapsulates the growing resolve among African mining jurisdictions to unlock their mineral potential. Recent partnerships across several African nations serve as illustrative examples of this trend, with Burundi embarking on a mid-March collaboration with U.S. firms Lifezone Metals and KoBold Metals to evaluate the Musongati Nickel project, and the Democratic Republic of Congo engaging Xcalibur Smart Mapping to analyse an expansive area of 700,000 square kilometres in pursuit of its untapped $24 trillion worth of mineral reserves.

So far, Zambia has completed 55% of its national geomapping project to identify new copper deposits, aiming to achieve ambitious production targets by 2031. Nigeria has also advanced its geomapping strategies following the approval of a substantial N1 trillion budget for 2026, which will be directed towards unlocking the potential of 44 critical minerals. Nations such as Tanzania are now following suit, while South Africa emerges as a key supporter, offering technical assistance to countries like Gabon, South Sudan, and Nigeria.

Moreover, Liberia is set to undertake an ambitious plan to geomap 80% of its largely unexplored geology. In an exclusive pre-AMW 2026 interview, Liberia’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Matenokay Tingban, emphasised their pursuit of geomapping and exploration partners, remarking, “With Liberia’s vast but largely untapped mineral resources, access to geoscientific data will allow us to negotiate stronger investment deals and unlock downstream infrastructure development.”

The surge in geomapping initiatives not only reflects Africa’s dedication to reviving and growing its mining sector but also presents monumental opportunities for global exploration, drilling, and geophysical technology providers. As AMW 2026 prepares to showcase ongoing geomapping progress, it promises to be a vital platform for connecting African stakeholders with international partners, thus laying the groundwork for partnerships that could significantly enhance the future of Africa’s mineral exploration and production landscape.

Edited by Thobile Mazibuko

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Korean Chargé d’Affaires Tak Namgung said the global aid landscape is changing rapidly. Official Development Assistance (ODA) fell by $174 billion in 2025, a 23% drop and one of the significant declines in recent years. Bilateral aid to Sub-Saharan Africa could shrink by as much as 28% as major donors scale back their commitments.

Against this backdrop, Namgung questioned the long-term viability of the traditional donor-recipient model. He argued that the current economic climate calls for partnerships built on shared knowledge, stronger institutions and mutual accountability,  a shift away from dependency toward collaboration.

Critical minerals are emerging as a key area of alignment. South Korea imports more than 95% of its critical mineral requirements, making resource-rich countries like Nigeria increasingly important. With significant deposits of lithium, graphite and other minerals essential to electric vehicles and clean energy technologies, Nigeria is well-positioned to play a strategic role.

Namgung stressed that extracting resources alone will not deliver sustainable results. He pointed to the need for transparency, trust and strong institutions as the foundation for long-term industrial development.

Korea’s keen interest in Nigeria’s critical minerals is not a new development. In 2023, South Korea expressed interest in mining Nigeria’s lithium resources after the Nigerian government issued permits enabling companies to commence operations in this lucrative sector. The groundwork for this cooperation was further laid when Dr Pyeong Koo-lee, President of the Korean Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources (KIGAM), extended an invitation for collaboration in exploring Nigeria’s significant lithium-bearing pegmatite deposits.

As Nigeria and South Korea embark on this renewed economic journey, the emphasis on mutual growth through collaboration offers a promising outlook amid the shifting dynamics of global economic partnerships.

The post Nigeria and South Korea forge new economic ties amid global aid decline appeared first on Mining Business Africa.

Amid this evolving context, Nigeria’s energy sector is accelerating efforts across the value chain: from upstream licensing rounds and major gas developments such as NLNG Train 7, to expanded midstream and downstream infrastructure aimed at boosting supply, processing, and regional distribution. These advancements not only reinforce Nigeria’s contribution to global energy supply but also underpin Africa’s broader ambition to serve as an anchor of energy security at a time when diversification of supply is essential.

Themed Advancing Energy Ambitions for Competitive & Resilient Economies, the NOG Energy Week Strategic Conference will convene policymakers, global industry leaders, investors, and technology innovators to examine how Nigeria and Africa can enhance their global competitiveness. Discussions will span critical pillars including global energy positioning, upstream growth, strategic partnerships and regional alliances, finance and investment, gas and LNG, AI, and midstream and downstream infrastructure development.

Taking place on July 7-9 2026, the Strategic Conference offers delegates direct access to high-level decision‑makers, actionable market intelligence, and a platform for deal‑making and cross‑border collaboration across Africa’s energy value chain. With strategic partnerships and regional alliances now more essential than ever, the event serves as a pivotal hub for aligning capital, accelerating project development, and shaping Africa’s contribution to global energy security.

The 2026 Strategic Conference Programme Brochure is now live and available for download. Explore the full agenda, confirmed speakers, and curated networking platforms designed to support your business objectives in an increasingly competitive and interconnected global market.

See all the event details below, and to attend, register here. 

 From July 5-9,  2026, join global energy leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, for the 25th annual NOG Energy Week Conference & Exhibition. As Nigeria’s foremost convening platform dedicated to serving the global energy industry, NOG Energy Week drives bold dialogue, strategic partnerships, and dealmaking to advance markets and accelerate progress. Engage with the entire energy value chain — oil, gas, power, renewables, technology, finance, and more — over five dynamic days dedicated to shaping a secure, just, and sustainable energy future for Nigeria and beyond.

The post Nigeria Opens Registration For NOG Energy Week 2026 appeared first on Mining Business Africa.

The proposed collaboration will explore opportunities across lithium offtake, project financing, and the development of local processing capacity in Nigeria, positioning Chariot to accelerate its pathway to production in one of Africa’s emerging lithium jurisdictions.

Under the memorandum of understanding, the parties will assess the potential sale and delivery of direct shipping ore from Chariot’s Nigerian projects to a collection point in Sagamu, Nigeria, while also considering longer-term arrangements for spodumene concentrate and other lithium-bearing products.

Chariot said Jinjianqiao’s integrated one-stop capability spanning import logistics, processing support, inspection and testing, warehousing, and sales, together with access to downstream processing capacity, aligns closely with its strategy to rapidly advance its assets toward commercialisation.

The memorandum brings together complementary strengths and creates a framework to progress the Nigerian lithium projects efficiently, it was said in a statement, adding that access to offtake pathways, potential financing solutions and downstream processing expertise could materially shorten the timeline to production.

Following satisfactory due diligence, Jinjianqiao may seek to negotiate long-term exclusive offtake agreements involving one of Chariot’s four Nigerian lithium projects. The memorandum also provides for discussions around credit lines and offtake prepayment financing that could support exploration, development and expanded production across the portfolio.

In addition, the companies have agreed to evaluate the development of a lithium processing facility in Nigeria aimed at upgrading mined ore into spodumene concentrate locally. This would align with Nigeria’s broader ambitions to increase domestic mineral beneficiation and retain more value in-country.

Jinjianqiao is an established China-based lithium trader with a strong Africa-to-China sourcing and distribution network. The company sold approximately 90 000 tonnes of lithium concentrate and ore in 2025, with volumes expected to double in 2026, reflecting rising demand from the global battery and electric vehicle supply chain.

For Chariot, the memorandum represents a strategic opportunity to link Nigerian lithium resources with global markets while unlocking funding and infrastructure pathways that could underpin long-term growth.

The post Chariot Resources signs MoU for Nigerian lithium offtake appeared first on Mining Business Africa.