Africa South Africa Southern Africa World 

South Africa’s suspected gas leak deaths linked to illegal mining

South African authorities have said a suspected leak of poisonous gas in the shantytown of Boksburg, east of Johannesburg could be linked to illegal mining. The death toll from the accident has now risen to 17 as of Thursday, according to officials who have visited the site of the accident. Gauteng Province Premier Panyaza Lesufi, told journalists investigations are still… Read More
Africa Ghana West Africa World 

Illegal mining pit caves in killing 7 and trapping 17 in Ghana

An illegal mining pit in Ghana’s Birim North district of the Eastern Region has caved in on miners killing seven people so far. The illegal mining pit unexpectedly caved in on the workers on Monday. Five of the miners have now been rescued at the Korle Teye Takorso site. Rescuers say 17 others remain trapped under the collapsed mining pit.… Read More
Africa Central Africa Central African Republic China World 

China outraged over the killing of its nationals in Central African Republic

China has expressed outrage at the killing of nine of its nationals in the Central African Republic. The Chinese were killed in an attack by militants at a gold mine outside the capital city, Bangui. The victims are said to have been working in a goldmine run by the Gold Coast Group. Gunmen stormed the gold mining site to carry… Read More
Africa Business West Africa World 

Sierra Leone: New customary land laws giving more to rural landowners

A $476 million investment into Sierra Leone’s iron-ore-rich Northern Province offers new hope that rural communities will reap the rewards of the region’s considerable mineral deposits. The challenge for this West African nation has always been striking a win-win-win deal where investors, local communities, and the central government profit. Under the new deal, Arise Integrated Industrial Platforms Limited (Arise IIP)… Read More
Africa West Africa World 

Burkina Faso: Operation to rescue trapped miners suffers setbacks

– – An operation to rescue some eight miners who have been trapped underground in Burkina Faso has suffered some setbacks. The miners have been trapped underground for more than two weeks after torrential rains flooded some communities in the West African country. The floods have also disrupted the operations of the zinc mine at Perkoa following last month’s incident. Reports… Read More
Africa Southern Africa World Zambia 

Zambia’s decision to allow mining in key national park raises concerns

– – Emotions are running high among Zambians, over a decision by the new government, to allow an Australian – listed company, to start large-scale Copper mining in one of the country’s key national parks, the Lower Zambezi. Situated on the banks of the Zambezi River, opposite Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park, the Lower Zambezi National Park, is admired the… Read More
Africa Ghana West Africa World 

Ghana: Mining company fined $6mln over deadly explosion

– – Ghana’s Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources has slapped a fine of $6 Million on Maxam Company Limited, the company at the centre of the deadly explosion at a community called Appiatse in the Western part of the country last month. The committee that investigated the explosion submitted it report to the Lands and Natural Resources Minister Samuel… Read More
Africa Featured Ghana West Africa World 

Why global manufacturing firms oppose mining in Ghana’s Atewa Forest

– – Three global and major manufacturing firms namely, BMW Group, Tetra Pak and Schüco International say they are worried about planned mining of bauxite in Ghana’s Atewa forest. The companies this month signaled that concern over the use of bauxite mined from the Forest for aluminium. According to the companies, they would be unwilling to accept bauxite mined from… Read More
Africa Business Ghana Liberia West Africa World 

Liberia arrests 11 Ghanaians for engaging in illegal mining

– – Liberian officials have arrested eleven Ghanaians for engaging in what they call ‘illegal gold and diamond mining’. They were arrested in the Bong County following a joint operation comprising the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Ministry of Mines and Energy, according to officials. The Liberian security agency officials paraded publicly on Friday the Ghanaians who were handcuffed… Read More
Africa Ghana West Africa World 

Five illegal miners die after mining pit collapses in Ghana

– – Ghanaian officials have confirmed the death of five people after a mining pit collapsed on them. The incident occurred in a community called Anyafuri Gyaman in the Upper Denkyira West District, according to local media reporting. Officials said Thursday’s incident happened when the small scale miners were prospecting for gold in the central part of the country. At… Read More