Mining

The Talvivaara site in Finland has become one of the most discussed mining operations in Northern Europe over the last two decades. It combined ambitious industrial innovation with contentious environmental episodes, and ultimately played a notable role in debates about how to extract low-grade deposits responsibly while supplying strategically important metals. This article explores where […]

The Kolwezi mining area in the southeastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the planet’s most important sources of copper and cobalt. Nestled on the high, mineral-rich plateau of the Katanga region (today administratively part of Lualaba Province), Kolwezi combines deep geological significance, a long and complex industrial history, and

The Kibali mine is one of Africa’s most prominent and ambitious gold projects, located deep in the northeastern reaches of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Combining large-scale open-pit and underground operations with a modern processing plant and extensive on-site infrastructure, Kibali has reshaped the local economy and reactivated a historic gold district. This article

The Tenke Fungurume mining complex is one of the most consequential mineral assets on the African continent. Located in the mineral-rich heart of southern Congo, this operation produces large volumes of copper and cobalt that flow into global industrial and high-tech supply chains. The mine’s geology, production profile, history of ownership, economic footprint and the

The KOV Open Pit, located in the mineral-rich heart of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is one of the most important surface mining operations in the Central African copper-cobalt belt. As a modern open-pit operation it exemplifies the intersection of geology, large-scale industrial mining, global commodity demand and the social-environmental challenges that accompany mineral extraction

The Ntcheu Coal Mine, situated in the central highlands of Malawi, represents one of the country’s modest but strategically important mineral assets. This article explores where the mine is located, what type of material is extracted there, its role in the regional and national economy, and several notable or unexpected aspects that make Ntcheu interesting

The Palabora mining complex in northeastern South Africa stands as one of the country’s most recognizable mineral operations. Famous for its large open pit and the transition to extensive underground workings, Palabora is primarily known for producing copper but also yields several important by-products. This article explores where the mine is located, the geology and

The Cullinan Mine, set in the rolling hills east of Pretoria, occupies a central place in the global history of gem mining. Famous for producing some of the largest and most historically significant gemstones ever found, the site has shaped not only the map of mineral wealth in southern Africa but also royal and cultural

The Finsch Mine is one of South Africa’s most important diamond-producing operations. Located in the heart of a mineral-rich region, this mine has shaped local economies, contributed significantly to the global gem market, and continues to be a focus of technological and environmental innovation in the diamond industry. The following sections explore its location and

The Letlhakane mining complex sits at the heart of Botswana’s diamond-producing belt and has played an important role in shaping the modern economy of the country. Located among a cluster of kimberlite pipes and open pits, the mine extracts high-quality stones that feed global markets and support local development. This article explores where Letlhakane is