Ren茅 Muschter
Research Expert covering Industry & Mobility
Mining industry in Africa - statistics & facts
Buried beneath the surface of Africa is a wealth of hugely valuable and extractable natural resources, making its mining industry one of the most important in the world. Africa is a major producer of many key mineral commodities, with bountiful reserves of metals and minerals such as gold, diamond, cobalt, bauxite, iron ore, coal, and copper across the continent. Some of the major mining countries in Africa are the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.
It is estimated that Africa houses roughly 30 percent of the known global mineral reserves, and these desirable commodities have been extracted, and often exploited, for centuries. The continent remains hugely attractive for foreign investment, especially for China, where its outward FDI stock in Africa鈥檚 mining industry totalled more than 42 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. As a major manufacturer of electronics, China鈥檚 demand for raw materials is high.
Tantalum is another mineral used in electronic equipment. Tantalum capacitors are used in products such as mobile phones and laptops, as well as automotive electronics applications. DR Congo is the largest producer of tantalum worldwide, however it is a controversial commodity.
While these commodities are important to everyday life, they have often been used to fund bloody conflicts and have thus earned the name 鈥渃onflict minerals鈥, much like 鈥渂lood diamonds鈥.
It is estimated that Africa houses roughly 30 percent of the known global mineral reserves, and these desirable commodities have been extracted, and often exploited, for centuries. The continent remains hugely attractive for foreign investment, especially for China, where its outward FDI stock in Africa鈥檚 mining industry totalled more than 42 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. As a major manufacturer of electronics, China鈥檚 demand for raw materials is high.
African minerals in electronics
Most electrical products we use today are reliant on a number of different minerals, and many of these are found in Africa, including tungsten, gold, tin, and cobalt. Cobalt is primarily used in the production of lithium batteries and is often a by-product of the copper nickel mining industries. Roughly half of global cobalt reserves can be found in DR Congo鈥檚 copper belt, and in 2024 the country鈥檚 cobalt production totalled an estimated 220,000 metric tons.Tantalum is another mineral used in electronic equipment. Tantalum capacitors are used in products such as mobile phones and laptops, as well as automotive electronics applications. DR Congo is the largest producer of tantalum worldwide, however it is a controversial commodity.
While these commodities are important to everyday life, they have often been used to fund bloody conflicts and have thus earned the name 鈥渃onflict minerals鈥, much like 鈥渂lood diamonds鈥.
Precious metals and gems in Africa
Two of the most profitable minerals produced in Africa are gold and diamonds. There are a number of major diamond-producing countries across Africa, such as Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. However, one of the largest producers is Botswana, where in 2024, diamond production totalled an estimated eight million carats. This made the country the second-largest diamond producer worldwide. Africa also holds the majority of the world鈥檚 platinum reserves, specifically in South Africa, which has platinum reserves of 63,000 metric tons. In 2024, South Africa鈥檚 estimated platinum production amounted to 120 metric tons.
