Africa’s mining industry is entering a new investment cycle as companies accelerate exploration, mine development and mineral processing projects to meet rising global demand for strategic minerals. 

Billions of dollars are being invested across the continent to boost production, expand value addition and strengthen Africa’s position in global mineral supply chains.

Among the companies driving this momentum is KoBold Metals, which broke ground on the $2 billion Mingomba Copper Project in Zambia in May 2026. 

One of the country’s largest new mining developments, the project is expected to produce 300,000 tonnes of copper annually when it comes online in the early 2030s, supporting Zambia’s goal of raising national copper production to three million tonnes per year by 2031. 

The company is also deploying artificial intelligence and advanced geological modelling to accelerate mineral exploration in Congo and Burundi. 

Meanwhile, Makor Resources is advancing exploration at Zambia’s Muli and Kangili copper projects, further expanding the country’s development pipeline.

In Congo, Buenassa is advancing an integrated mining and mineral processing strategy aimed at increasing domestic value addition. 

The company is developing a multi-metal processing facility in Lualaba Province that, during its first phase, is expected to produce 30,000 tonnes of LME-grade copper cathode and 5,000 tonnes of cobalt annually. 

Future expansion phases would increase capacity to 120,000 tonnes of copper and 20,000 tonnes of cobalt per year.

Elsewhere, Ghana’s Typhoon Greenfield Development is working to strengthen the country’s artisanal and small-scale mining sector by promoting formalisation, attracting investment and boosting production.

In South Africa, Gold Ore is progressing the Turnbridge underground and New Kleinfontein opencast projects, targeting first production in 2026 as part of broader efforts to revitalise the country’s gold industry and capitalise on strong global gold prices.