Southern Africa is a hotspot for mineral exploration to meet the global demand for battery minerals. With large deposits of cobalt, copper, graphite, lithium, nickel, manganese, rare earth elements and tin, the region could become a green energy hub. The region also boasts exceptional deposits of traditional resources like chrome, coal, diamonds, gold, platinum-group metals and uranium.
South Africa has the world’s largest deposits of gold, platinum-group metals, chrome and manganese. There are numerous deposits of pegmatite, tin, nickel, copper, other base metals and industrial minerals such as ilmenite, rutile, zircon and mica. It also has some of the world’s largest fluorite and iron ore deposits. New technology and improved geophysical methods can extend the life of existing projects.
Botswana remains attractive as there are several unexplored mineral deposits, particularly related to the recently described Kalahari Copper Belt, an extension to the well-known Central African Copper Belt. While further exploration is required to determine Botswana’s fuller potential, exploration below the deep Kalahari sand is costly.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) hosts world-class deposits of cobalt, copper, gold, lithium, and tin, but working in the DRC is extremely expensive and comes with many additional risks. Development is hindered by strict legislation, financial control, importation taxes, tax levies, corruption, and conflict.
Namibia is an attractive investment opportunity. The country hosts diamonds, gold, uranium, lithium, and tin pegmatite deposits. Although the gold concentration is lower grade than in other Southern African countries, some companies may find it viable to mine these deposits. Namibia also has deposits of oil and gas, with plenty of opportunity for renewable energy.
Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Angola should remain on the radar of exploration investors. Angola is expanding its minerals sector with cost-effective diesel and energy but diversifying by encouraging development of hard-rock minerals projects.
The Southern African region could become a superpower due to its rich mineral endowment and large mining potential. The region’s long geological history provides a favorable foundation for a wide range of mineral deposits and commodities. Lithium, tin, nickel, cobalt, vanadium, and rare earths have all been discovered in Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa, and many are being developed into sizeable projects. As a host region for battery minerals, Southern Africa could become more strategic to the Western world, given the uncertain global geopolitical environment. Graphite, for example, is a key material in lithium-ion battery anodes, and is currently being produced in Mozambique, Tanzania, and Madagascar.
To support mining endeavours, the region’s governments will need to make changes, primarily to improving infrastructure. Much of Southern Africa’s geological value cannot be realised due to insufficient infrastructure, including roads, rail, water, and electricity. The limited scale and lifespan of many projects often means they struggle to afford installing the necessary services if these are not already in place. If existing infrastructure was better, more of these deposits could be progressed from exploration stage to mining projects with fewer hurdles.
