The story of African mining is no longer just about “development potential”—it is about tangible execution on the ground. In 2025, five flagship projects spanning copper, iron ore, lithium, graphite, and gold have transitioned from planning stages to actual production, reshaping global supply chains for critical minerals and marking the continent’s shift from raw material export towards strategic value creation. Below are the latest updates on these significant projects:

1. Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex — DRC

Commodity: Copper | Ownership Structure: Ivanhoe Mines (39.6%) + Zijin Mining Group (39.6%) + DRC Government (5%)

Latest Developments

Kamoa-Kakula continues to expand its production capacity, achieving record quarterly output levels while advancing towards further expansion targets set for 2026. With its massive scale and low unit costs, this mine has become a benchmark for Africa’s growing share in global copper supply.

The DRC’s copper production is projected to grow at an average annual rate of 3.3% through 2030, with Kamoa-Kakula at the heart of this growth narrative.

Key Milestones

Phase 3 smelter expansion is now operational, significantly reducing concentrate export costs
Ivanhoe Mines aims for annual copper production exceeding 600,000 tonnes, positioning it to rival top-tier copper mines in Chile
The Lobito Corridor railway project, connecting the DRC to the Atlantic coast in Angola, is set to revolutionize logistics

2. Simandou Iron Ore Project — Guinea

Commodity: Iron Ore | Ownership Structure: Rio Tinto Simfer Consortium (Blocks 3 & 4) + Winning Consortium Simandou / Baowu Group (Blocks 1 & 2)

Latest Developments

After decades of anticipation, the Simandou Iron Ore Project officially commenced production in November 2025, becoming the largest mining project ever undertaken in Africa. With over 4 billion tonnes of reserves boasting an iron grade of 65–80%, it represents a world-class high-grade iron ore asset.

The project is being advanced by a consortium comprising the Guinean government, Baowu Steel, Aluminum Corporation of China (Chinalco), and the Rio Tinto Simfer Consortium. It includes the development of world-class mines, a new port, and a 650-kilometer railway system traversing challenging terrain. Total investment exceeds $20 billion, with the project expected to generate hundreds of thousands of jobs over its lifecycle.

Key Milestones

Target production capacity of 39.3 million tonnes per annum, with total investment surpassing $26 billion
The project will transition from construction to formal production in 2026, with first shipments already dispatched in late 2025
Guinea holds a 15% state stake—a model being closely observed by other West African governments

3. Goulamina Lithium Project — Mali

Commodity: Spodumene | Ownership Structure: Ganfeng Lithium (65%) + Government of Mali (35%)

Latest Developments

The Goulamina Lithium Project has fully moved beyond the development phase and entered commercial production, establishing itself as one of Africa’s largest-scale lithium operations. The first-phase production facilities were commissioned in late 2024, currently producing approximately 506,000 tonnes per annum of spodumene concentrate, with subsequent expansion phases targeting a capacity of 1 million tonnes per annum.

With Ganfeng Lithium holding control, the first concentrate shipments were dispatched in mid-2025. As one of Africa’s largest hard-rock lithium mines, Goulamina holds significant influence over global spodumene pricing and the procurement strategies of battery manufacturers in Asia and Europe.

Key Milestones

Goulamina is crucial to Europe’s battery supply chain strategy aimed at reducing dependence on Australian lithium
Phase 2 expansion (targeting 1 million tpa concentrate) is currently undergoing permitting and engineering design
Mali’s military government revised mining laws in 2023 to increase state ownership—Ganfeng successfully navigated this through renegotiation

4. Balama Graphite Mine — Mozambique

Commodity: Natural Graphite (Anode-grade) | Operator: Syrah Resources (Australia)

Latest Developments

Balama is one of the world’s premier natural graphite mines. After experiencing early-stage social unrest and production suspensions, 2025 marked a carefully orchestrated ramp-up, accompanied by new offtake agreements. Balama has now established itself as a key source of anode-grade graphite for the electric vehicle (EV) battery and specialty chemical markets.

Key Milestones

Syrah’s Vidalia Active Anode Material (AAM) plant in Louisiana, USA, is processing Balama’s output—a rare example of deep integration between an African mine and the battery materials value chain
The U.S. Department of Energy has supported the Vidalia facility through loan guarantees, directly linking Balama to U.S. energy security strategy
Graphite demand for EV battery anodes is projected to triple by 2030—Balama is positioned as a key supplier outside China

5. Fekola Gold Mine — Mali

Commodity: Gold | Ownership Structure: B2Gold (80%) + Government of Mali (20%)

Latest Developments

B2Gold’s Fekola Gold Mine achieved its fourth million-ounce milestone in mid-2025, with consistent quarterly performance. Exploration success and permitting progress in regional extensions have made it a benchmark for how West African gold operations can achieve scale amid political and regulatory risks.

The commencement of underground mining at Fekola was approved in mid-2025, with stope ore already being processed at the plant; underground production is expected to ramp up significantly in 2026. Concurrently, the Fekola Regional project has received mining permits and is projected to contribute approximately 180,000 ounces of gold annually in its initial years.

Key Milestones

Gold prices surpassing $4,000/oz in 2025 have significantly improved Fekola’s profitability margins
The underground expansion represents a capital-efficient approach to extending mine life without requiring a new greenfield project
B2Gold’s adoption of a prudent diplomatic strategy towards Mali’s military government (contrasting with Barrick’s more assertive stance) has enabled Fekola to maintain normal operations