By —Reda Helal
:Africa’s mining industry is entering a new phase of expansion as a wave of Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) signals growing investor confidence in the continent’s vast mineral wealth, estimated at $8.5 trillion in untapped resources.
Australian miner Resolute Mining has approved a $516 million FID for its Doropo Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire, moving the project into construction with first production expected by 2028 at an annual output of 500,000 ounces. Meanwhile, Toubani Resources has greenlit a $216 million investment for the Kobada Gold Project in Mali, which is projected to produce around 162,000 ounces per year, supporting the country’s ambition to expand gold output beyond 60 tons annually.
The new approvals highlight increasing capital inflows into Africa’s mining sector as developers fast-track projects to meet rising global demand for minerals, particularly those critical to the energy transition.
Industry analysts note that global demand for critical minerals is expected to triple by 2030, positioning Africa — home to about 30% of the world’s energy transition metal reserves — as a key player in future supply chains.
In South Africa, Rio Tinto has committed $473 million to extend the lifespan of the Zulti South mineral sands project to 2050, ensuring continued supply of zircon and ilmenite used in construction and advanced manufacturing. Tharisa has also approved a $547 million underground expansion at its Bushveld Complex operations, expected to yield over 200,000 ounces of platinum group metals annually, alongside more than two million tons of chrome concentrate.
Beyond these developments, several major projects across the continent are advancing toward potential investment decisions. These include the Manono Lithium Project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Gorumbwa Platinum Project in Zimbabwe, the Diamba Sud Gold Project in Senegal, and the Kabanga Nickel Project in Tanzania.
The growing pipeline of investments will take center stage at African Mining Week 2026, scheduled for October 14–16 in Cape Town. The event will bring together investors, developers, and policymakers to explore partnerships and unlock new opportunities across Africa’s mining value chain.
As investment momentum builds, Africa is positioning itself not only as a resource-rich region but as a strategic hub in the global transition toward sustainable energy and industrial growth.