Mining in Africa is a topic that can be discussed endlessly. It's a critical show of interest on how the giant Asian country, and the European have come to invest in the rich continent. The rich continent as described by some quarters as a continent with complex web of great power competition, security concerns, and conflicting interests, that has resulted into poverty, diseases and retrogressive economic growth. It has been further described as a place where the pursuit of economic growth and resource riches is intertwined with the struggle for responsible mining practices, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility.
The concern here is not in relation to the government or leaders, but on what to do to make the Africa mining situation better for economic growth.
A little dive into Africa's critical mineral exploitation shows that Africa is a significant producer of critical minerals essential for various industries, including electric vehicles, smartphones, and aerospace.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) leads in cobalt and copper, while South Africa produces cobalt, copper, manganese, nickel, and platinum. Gabon is the third-largest manganese producer, crucial for steel and battery technology, and Guinea is a top bauxite producer for the automotive and aerospace industries, while Nigeria is another leading classified mineral location which some are yet to be discovered. These minerals play a vital role in the global supply chain, emphasizing the importance of Africa’s resources in the context of environmental, social, and governance considerations.
South Africa for instance has this unique position as a regional leader in mining and mineral resources, owing to the high level of mining development in the country compare to other nations of Africa. Although, they also have there peculiar problems like energy shortage, rail transportation model and so on, but they still possess a good template for developmental improvement in mining which other countries within the continent can emulate.
The question is: How do we assess South Africa’s role and its strengths as a model for the rest of Africa? Given South Africa’s rich mineral deposits, its established mining sector, and its growing role as a regional hub for world leading minerals, how can other African countries learn from South Africa’s experience and best practices in managing and leveraging their mineral resources for sustainable development?
Nigeria for instance has seen reasons why developing the mineral sector can improve economic growth, and other necessary policies to allow the growth of the sector, while countries like DRC needs to get it right with policies that will improve sustainability, and economic growth of the country. Mozambique is still working hard bringing community engagement and social responsibility to minimize frustrations becoming the root and driver of instability, and insecurity.
There is need for growth in the mining sector to allow sustainability, and growth which I believe implementable policies can make the difference.
I think Africa needs to work on community engagement, coupled with policies that will make strong the community as a strong stakeholders in the development of the mineral exploitation.
I also agree that other giant nations of the world like US, Germany, England, France, Russia, etc should come invest in Africa the right way and put to action ideas generated to help Africa to drive the economy to a greater height. African leaders should play a major role to provide a conducive environment that will make foreign investors thrive. Both the investor, and the government should do everything to connect with the community engaged, and economic growth, this I know would give a peace atmosphere for investors to thrive.
Most importantly, Africa leaders should rise and speak for everyone. There should be truth and honesty in approaching mineral growth. They should think of the younger generation and bring important development to the minerals sector. Exclusive mineral processing should be handled with care, and hope of developing the economy, and bring policies that restrict chunking of raw minerals without processing.
Lastly, leading should not be a personal gain. Developing the mineral sector should be African minded and not personal gain.
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