Jeff Mbanga
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jeffmbanga.bsky.social
Jeff Mbanga
@jeffmbanga.bsky.social
Swim Dad | Oil and Gas | Energy and Minerals | Tax and Financial Markets | East Africa
The US Govt issued a report in mid 2024 criticising DRC for allowing children into cobalt mines. In October, the DRC shot back, accusing the US of being biased and jealous. For more than two years, the US and European Union have been in DRC trying to cut mining deals. It's a tussle with China.

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January 31, 2025 at 8:09 AM
If you want a good case study of companies fighting over an African mining project, the Manono lithium project in DRC is your perfect pitstop. Have some painkillers for an imminent headache.
This lithium deposit is said to be the largest in the world.
Lithium is used in electric car batteries.
January 31, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Want to know what African VIP status looks like? Try the hotel lobby where the DRC President is sleeping. China continues to roll out a red carpet for top DRC officials due to the Tenke Fungurume cobalt & copper mine in DRC, one of the world's largest. The mine is top holy grail.
January 31, 2025 at 8:06 AM
In July last year, the DRC govt reopened the Kipushi Zinc Mine after more than 30 years of closure.
Canada's Ivanhoe has partnered the Govt to redevelop it. They say the Kipushi mine has the highest grade of zinc in the world. Zinc is used to protect steel products against corrosion.
January 31, 2025 at 8:05 AM
DRC has one of the biggest copper mines in the world, the Kamoa-Kakula project in Katanga, developed by Canada's Ivanhoe.
As many global superpowers boost their defence mechanisms, copper is sought-after since it is used in making ammunitions like bullets and landmines. Go figure.
January 31, 2025 at 8:04 AM
The Kibali Gold Mine, developed by Canada's Barrick, is Africa's biggest gold mine. Kibali has contributed nearly $6 billion to DRC's economy since the construction of the mine started 15 years ago. That money from just one gold mine is nearly half of Uganda's banking system.
January 31, 2025 at 8:02 AM
US tech giant Apple sources minerals like cobalt and lithium from DRC. Without this source, it's possible iPhones would cost more. In Dec 2024, DRC accused Apple in European courts of dealing in conflict minerals. Apple denied the charges. The two parties remain at loggerheads.
January 31, 2025 at 8:01 AM
For some bit of history, read Adam Hochschild’s King Leopold's Ghost and learn the kind of pillage and plunder the Belgian king subjected DRC's rubber to 140 years ago. The book, one of the best I have read, will even show you King Leopold's use of mercenaries to win over DRC's mineral wealth.
January 31, 2025 at 8:00 AM