By: The new times

The Simandou Iron Ore Project: A Guinean Colossus

On Tuesday, November 11, President Paul Kagame participated in the launch of the Simandou Iron Ore Project in Guinea. Recognized as the largest iron ore mining venture in the world, Simandou is a mega untapped reserve estimated to hold between three and four billion tonnes of high-grade recoverable iron ore.

The project, which started operation with an inauguration ceremony at the port of Matakong, is Africa's largest greenfield integrated mine and infrastructure project. With a total investment exceeding $20 billion, it includes comprehensive systems for mining, railways, and ports. The infrastructure is expected to support combined iron ore exports of up to 120 million tonnes per year once it reaches full production capacity by 2030.

Major Mining Projects Across the Continent

Africa boasts several other large-scale mining projects. The following are brief profiles of some key ventures, listed in no particular order.

1. Kansanshi Copper Project (Zambia)

Located in north-western Zambia, the Kansanshi mine is currently undergoing a significant expansion. The project is expected to increase its output to approximately 53 million tonnes of copper annually. An investment of over $800 million in 2024 accelerated the expansion, bringing total expenditure to $1.1 billion.

2. Tasiast Gold Mine (Mauritania)

Operated by the Canadian-based Kinross Mining company, Mauritania’s Tasiast gold mine reached an annual production milestone of 600,000 ounces in 2023.

3. Jwaneng Diamond Mine (Botswana)

The Jwaneng mine, situated 160 kilometres west of Gaborone, is one of the richest diamond mines in the world. It produced 13.3 million carats of diamonds in 2023. Botswana's diamond industry is further highlighted by the 2024 discovery of the world's second-biggest diamond (2,492 carats) at the Karowe Mine.

4. Goulamina Lithium Project (Mali)

Commissioned in December 2024, Mali’s flagship Goulamina mine is designed to produce 500,000 tonnes of lithium spodumene per year. The mine has reserves of 142.3 million tonnes grading 1.38 per cent lithium oxide.

5. Ewoyaa Lithium Project (Ghana)

The upcoming Ewoyaa lithium project in Ghana is forecast to have an annual output of 365,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate. At full capacity, it will rank as one of the largest hard rock spodumene concentrate mines globally and is expected to significantly diversify the country's mining industry.

6. Luele Diamond Mine (Angola)

Officially inaugurated in November 2023, the Luele mine is not only the largest in Angola but also ranks among the largest in the world. It boasts an estimated 628 million carats of diamonds and has an projected lifespan of 60 years.

7. Bled El Hadba Phosphate Mine (Algeria)

Located in Algeria’s Tébessa Province, the Bled El Hadba mine boasts an estimated 1.2 billion tonnes of phosphate ore. By 2027, the project aims to produce over 5 million tonnes of phosphate annually, enabling the production of phosphate-based fertilisers.

8. Kuvimba Lithium Project (Zimbabwe)

Kuvimba Mining House will begin construction of a lithium concentration plant at its Sandawana mine, representing a $270 million investment. The facility, with an annual capacity of 600,000 tonnes, is expected to begin operations in early 2027.

9. Nyakabingo Tungsten Mine (Rwanda)

The Nyakabingo mine in Rwanda's Northern Province produces 120 tonnes of wolframite per month, making it the leading tungsten producer in Africa. Operated by Trinity Metals, the mine is estimated to have at least 40 more years of viable mining, with Rwandan tungsten enjoying a strong reputation for its high grade.