Mineral Processing in Africa Matters

Of no doubt, Africa is one of the richest continents in the world, rich in human resources, minerals, agriculture, culture, and many more. The continent has over the years seen exploitation of various degrees in artifacts, culture, human capital, and even minerals exploited and exported from the shore of the continent, without a balanced give back to the places where the materials were discovered. Although, the subject matter is contentious – I would personally liken this to greed, and ignorance on the part of the parties involved. 

These valuable materials when exported eventually come back to the country as a finished product with an exorbitant price tag. 

N.B 

The article points out the need to make processing very important in underdeveloped nations. 

I belong to the extractive industry, and over the years I have seen various minerals/ore exported in their raw form to be processed in other developed nations, only to be processed and exported/imported as a finished product back to the shore of the continent. 

The recent trend of Sustainability, Climate Control, and Green Initiatives that has been the major concern of developed countries in recent times has come with a fair share of views, bringing some major minerals on the hike over others. Some of these minerals no doubt leave the shore of the African continent to be processed in other nations outside the continent.

Lithium and Copper for instance have seen price increments amongst other metal ore benefiting from the renewable energy trend. Also in the price increase are other metallic ores needed but not in large quantities which are Nickel, Cobalt, Tungsten, Antimony, Arsenic, Germanium, Gold, Iridium, Iron, Magnesium, and Niobium. These raw materials are most vital in the manufacturing of climate control technologies such as renewable power, carbon capture, battery solutions, E-Vehicles, hydrogen production, and more. 

These ores get exported in large quantities unprocessed on daily bases. I was recently told if I were interested to supply manganese ore using FOB (Freight on Board), and my reply was NO. The rejection was due to the fact that I discovered I was going to lose money due to the shenanigans of people I suspected would be involved, and in addition, the increase in profit accrued to pricessing.

I began to wonder why we do not embrace the processing subject of the valuable ores. What if I tell you that processing these material will result to a major industrialization, creation of jobs, increased GDP, increase in the socialization and well-being of the Africans at large. 

I recently saw a report from International Energy Agency (IEA) lists China as the major player in the minerals and metals used to produce clean energy technologies. It was noted that China accounts for 87% of the rare earth processing capacity for certain minerals and fossil fuels used in climate technologies. Other countries including Chile, Argentina, Belgium, Japan, Australia, Russia, DRC, Indonesia, and the Republic of the Philippines are part of the player in the processing of the materials.

DRC is the only African country that was listed as the only African country accounting for 64% of Cobalt mining and processing. Does that mean other African countries are sleeping?

According to the word of the President of the African Development Bank: Mr. Akinwunmi Adesina who stated that the wealth of these resources has been estimated to be $30 trillion. He later warned Africans to develop a formidable attitude towards processing to improve manufacturing sectors. 

This is my take!

We have seen major companies coming into all kinds of mining activities but very few go into mineral processing. It's high time investors came to see the massive recoup of profit embedded in mineral processing by promoting local beneficiation and value addition of minerals to provide manufacturing feedstock.

I would want us all to engage in the Public Private Partnership. These ores when processed become valuable and increase in profit after sales. 

I think it's time we wake up as Africans and take over the economy of her people. It's time she diversify its export into high values products that can improve the economy. It is time we create wealth for our people by leveraging what we have got. It's time we put aside sentiment, conflict of interest, biased views, and points to see through the economic importance of what we have got. 

I think it is time we start seeing the reason to be part of the manufacturing process in Africa. I think it's time we become part of the integrated structure that increases security and allows ethical leadership in the position of authority. It's time we love what belongs to us and appreciate our place in destiny. 

I want to appreciate institutions, societies, organizations, pressure groups, guilds, ministries, and other bodies in support of the move of new Africa in support of the new phase of Africa. I will also love to appreciate the African Development Bank, Bank of Industry, Development Finance Institution, African Union (AU), World Bank Group, and other able bodies and institutions in the struggle to lead African mining to a glorious destination. 

The recent development by the honourable minister to stop giving license to company that does not have plans to process is right step in right direction. 

This is a wake-up call!