Congo Launches Its First Gold Refinery Pilot — A Historic Step for the Country’s Mining Industry The Democratic Republic of the Congo has reached a historic milestone with the launch of its first pilot gold refinery in Kalemie, Tanganyika Province. The refinery, DRC Gold Refinery S.A., was officially inaugurated on 11 March 2026, marking a […]
Breaking: Congo Builds First Gold Refinery to Capture Value Read More »
The Iran War Is Already Sending Shockwaves Through the Global Economy Energy markets, shipping routes and financial systems react to escalating Middle East conflict The escalating conflict involving Iran, Israel and the United States is beginning to ripple through global markets, raising concerns about energy security, trade routes and broader economic stability. According to live
The Hidden Energy Risk Behind the Iran Conflict Read More »
Mining Still Carries South Africa’s Economy — Even When People Forget When people talk about the South African economy today, the conversation usually revolves around finance, banking, and corporate headquarters in Johannesburg. But beneath that modern narrative sits an industry that still quietly carries a significant portion of the country’s economic weight. Mining. It’s easy
One of South Africa’s Largest Export Engines Read More »
The mining sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo, rich in minerals like cobalt and copper, relies on a crucial industrial ecosystem for operation. MES Holdings plays a pivotal role in this ecosystem by providing engineering and manufacturing services, establishing local production facilities, and supporting recycling initiatives. This approach enhances industrial capacity, reduces reliance on imports, and fosters sustainable practices.
The Industrial Spine of Congo’s Cobalt Boom Read More »
The Democratic Republic of Congo has launched a new technical and financial audit into one of the most controversial mining agreements in Africa, the Chinese-backed Sicomines minerals-for-infrastructure deal. The review, announced on March 5 by the government’s Regulatory Agency for the Monitoring and Coordination of Collaboration Agreements (APCSC), will examine the mining operations, infrastructure spending
The $9B Sicomines Mining Deal Under Fire as Congo Orders New Audit Read More »
On March 2, 2026, the U.S. The Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) formally designated the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) and senior military officials under sanctions tied to instability in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to the U.S. Treasury press release, the designations were issued in response to what
M23 Sanctions Shake Congo’s Mining Empire – What You Need to Know Read More »
The rapidly escalating tensions between Israel, the United States and Iran are being framed as a geopolitical crisis. But for mining executives, investors and operators, this is something else entirely: An energy shock with direct margin consequences. The threat to the Strait of Hormuz — the artery through which roughly one-fifth of global oil supply
Strait of Hormuz Risk: Why Mining Executives Should Be Concerned Read More »
Kinshasa — February 2026 What if artisanal gold was no longer a story of smuggling, informality, and lost state revenue — but instead became the foundation of sovereign finance, macroeconomic stability, and national security? That is the structural shift now underway in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Under the leadership of His Excellency Félix
From Smuggling to Sovereignty: The DRC’s Structural Gold Reform Read More »
Why Simandou Actually Matters The Simandou deposit in southeastern Guinea is not just large — it is one of the highest-grade undeveloped iron ore resources in the world, with Fe content above 65%. That grade matters. High-grade ore: In a world pushing for “green steel,” Simandou is strategically positioned — not just volumetrically large, but
Study: Simandou — The Iron Ore Project Reshaping Global Supply in 2026 Read More »
