The UAE continues to strengthen its footprint in Africa’s mining industry

Mining and investment ties between the UAE and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) gained significant momentum in 2025 with the signing of a series of strategic agreements.

As the world’s leading producer of cobalt, accounting for over 70% of global output, as well as a major tin supplier and Africa’s top copper producer, the DRC is drawing growing interest from UAE investors looking to secure critical minerals for energy transition and high-tech industries.

With an estimated US$24 trillion in untapped mineral reserves, the DRC is seeking to attract long-term UAE investments to unlock greater value across its mining value chain. African Mining Week (AMW) 2025, one of the continent’s flagship mining events, is expected to provide a key platform for strengthening bilateral cooperation. It will be held in October. 

A dedicated Middle East-Africa Roundtable will convene high-level stakeholders, including UAE investors, DRC policymakers, and regional mining operators, to explore investment-ready projects and policy alignment.

Increased global demand for minerals central to electric vehicles and renewable energy systems has encouraged the UAE to expand its footprint in the DRC’s extractive industries. Recent investments signal a deeper commitment to supporting local beneficiation while securing reliable supply chains.

In July 2025, Congolese mining firm Buenassa entered a partnership with UAE-based NG9 Holding to establish the country’s first integrated copper-cobalt refinery.

Key Africa investments

The facility will produce 30,000 tonnes of copper cathodes and 5,000 tonnes of cobalt sulphate per year, supporting the DRC’s efforts to move up the value chain and capture more revenue from its mineral wealth.

A month earlier, Abu Dhabi’s International Resources Holding (IRH) finalised a US$366mn deal to acquire a majority stake in Alphamin Resources, gaining access to the Bisie Tin Complex, one of the world’s largest and highest-grade tin deposits.

Tin from Bisie currently accounts for about 6% of global supply, and demand is projected to rise 20% by 2035. At AMW, IRH’s investment will feature in a panel discussion titled Cobalt Opportunity: DRC’s Strategic Position in the EV Revolution, aimed at connecting Gulf capital with African resources.

Beyond mining, UAE players are also investing in the DRC’s power infrastructure. NG9 Holding signed an agreement with local utility Kipay Energy to co-develop a 46 MW hydropower plant in Haut-Katanga, contributing to a planned 166 MW capacity.

These developments underscore how UAE-DRC cooperation is expanding across both mining and energy, with AMW 2025 expected to catalyse further deals and partnerships.

The UAE continues to strengthen its footprint in Africa’s mining industry, with a series of strategic investments aimed at boosting production, infrastructure, and energy security across key markets.

Just this February, investment fund Ambrosia Investment Holding acquired a 50% stake in Canadian company Allied Gold’s mining projects in Ethiopia and Mali.

The deal includes a US$375mn capital injection to accelerate project development, increasing gold output in Ethiopia by 290,000 ounces per year by mid-2026 and in Mali by 400,000 ounces per year by 2028.

he transaction was completed under a binding share purchase and subscription agreement.

Alcoa Corporation has finalised the sale of its 25.1% stake in the Ma’aden joint venture to Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden), marking a strategic exit from the integrated mining complex the two companies launched in 2009.

The transaction was completed under a binding share purchase and subscription agreement.

In exchange, Alcoa received around 86 million Ma’aden shares, valued at approximately US$1.2bn, alongside US$150mn in cash, which will primarily be used to cover taxes and transaction costs.

The company expects to report a gain of roughly US$780mn under other income for the third quarter of 2025.

In line with past asset sales, this gain will be recorded as a special item.

Saudi mining growth

Alcoa, which is based in Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania, is a global leader in bauxite, alumina, and aluminium products. It will now hold an estimated 2% of Ma’aden’s outstanding shares.

As stipulated in the agreement, these shares must be retained for a minimum of three years, with one-third eligible for sale after each of the third, fourth, and fifth anniversaries of the transaction’s closing.

However, under certain conditions, Alcoa is allowed to hedge or borrow against the shares during the holding period, and the lock-up may be reduced in specific scenarios.

The Ma’aden joint venture, established as a fully integrated aluminium production complex in Saudi Arabia, comprises the Ma’aden Bauxite and Alumina Company (MBAC) and the Ma’aden Aluminium Company (MAC).

Prior to the deal, Ma’aden held a 74.9% majority stake.

Citi served as Alcoa’s exclusive financial advisor for the transaction, while legal counsel was provided by White & Case LLP.

“While today marks the end of the Joint Venture, the closing of this transaction demonstrates the initial value to our shareholders and enables visibility within Alcoa’s financials until we monetize in the future,” said William F. Oplinger, Alcoa’s president and CEO.

“I thank Ma’aden’s leadership and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for their partnership over the last 16 years, and we look forward to continued engagement as Ma’aden shareholders.”

Also read: Power Metallic gets licensed to explore Saudi mineral belt

Power Metallic plans to utilise historical aeromagnetic survey data

Power Metallic Mines Inc., a prominent exploration and development company, has been granted the exploration licence for the Jabal Baudan project in Saudi Arabia’s Jabal Sayid Mineralised Belt.

Power Metallic is now one of the few foreign companies to secure mining concessions in the Kingdom, following a successful bid in a competitive licensing process.

CEO Terry Lynch, said, "We are honoured to have been awarded the Jabal Baudan exploration license, marking a pivotal step in our strategy to expand our portfolio into one of the world's most promising mineral belts. This achievement underscores our commitment to advancing mineral exploration globally and highlights our ability to secure high-value assets in competitive jurisdictions."

Strategic location in a mineral-rich region

The Jabal Baudan property, spanning over 200 sq km, is the largest of seven exploration packages offered in the Jabal Sayid belt.

Located approximately 150 km south of Jeddah along the western Red Sea coastal plain, the site is highly prospective for copper, gold, and zinc mineralisation.

The region is renowned for its volcanic massive sulphide (VMS) deposits, including the world-class Jabal Sayid Mine and the promising Umm ad Damar deposit.

Situated in rugged mountainous terrain intersected by wadi systems draining to the Red Sea, Jabal Baudan is underlain by late Proterozoic volcanic, volcaniclastic, and sedimentary rocks, intruded by younger plutonic rocks ranging from gabbro to granite.

This geological setting mirrors that of the nearby Umm Hiljan deposit, indicating strong potential for VMS-style mineralisation.

Historical exploration by BRGM, Riofinex, and USGS between 1966 and 1985 identified siliceous volcanic rocks and “ironstone,” suggesting mineralising systems conducive to VMS deposits.

Exploration strategy and support

Power Metallic plans to utilise historical aeromagnetic survey data to refine its exploration approach and pinpoint priority target areas.

The project is supported by Saudi Arabia’s Exploration Enablement Program (EEP), a US$182mn initiative designed to stimulate and de-risk mineral exploration investments.

The EEP offers up to US$2mn per exploration licence, with a cap of 15 licences per company, fostering knowledge exchange and growth.

This support will enable Power Metallic to enhance its geological understanding of Jabal Baudan and prioritise high-potential zones for advanced exploration.

"The Jabal Baudan site is located at the heart of the most prospective region of Saudi Arabia. It is easily reachable by world quality infrastructure and initial samples have confirmed strong potential for a large range of minerals" Dr Remi Piet, senior partner at Embellie Advisory.

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Haul Track’s robust data lets managers set fuel efficiency targets. (Image source: Rokbak)

In the high-pressure world of mining, quarrying, and construction, fuel efficiency is a make-or-break factor for both profitability and environmental impact.

Garry Moore, a veteran customer support manager at Rokbak, a Scottish manufacturer of articulated dump trucks (ADTs), has spent nearly 20 years refining strategies to optimise heavy equipment performance.

Here, Moore unveils seven expert tips for harnessing Rokbak’s Haul Track telematics system to slash fuel expenses, curb carbon emissions, and boost site productivity.

Here are seven ways to achieve it

1. Keep engines in top shape for fuel savings

A neglected engine burns more fuel and pumps out excess emissions. Haul Track’s real-time diagnostics alert managers to issues like blocked filters or suboptimal fuel systems, enabling quick fixes. By acting on these email notifications, operators ensure ADTs run lean, saving fuel and reducing environmental harm.

2. Spot and fix delays with idling insights

Trucks idling in queues waste fuel and stall progress. Using Haul Track’s GPS and idle-time tracking, managers can identify bottlenecks where ADTs wait for loaders. Moore suggests rebalancing fleet setups—adjusting loader or hauler sizes—to keep operations moving, cutting fuel use and CO₂ output while ramping up efficiency.

3. Maximise loads with precision weighing

Half-empty trucks force extra trips, inflating fuel costs and equipment wear. Rokbak’s On-Board Weigh, synced with Haul Track, provides live load data, empowering operators to fill trucks to capacity every time. This approach boosts output, conserves fuel, and keeps production targets on track.

4. Redesign sites for shorter, smarter routes

Inefficient haul roads and traffic snarls sap fuel economy. Haul Track’s movement tracking, combined with fuel and idle reports, works across all equipment brands to highlight trouble spots. By streamlining routes and easing congestion, managers can trim fuel bills, lower emissions, and extend machine life.

5. Coach operators for smoother driving

Aggressive driving habits, like rapid acceleration or sudden stops, can inflate fuel consumption. Haul Track’s fuel usage comparisons reveal when specific trucks burn more than peers on similar tasks. Moore advocates using these insights for constructive training, helping drivers adopt smoother techniques to save fuel.

6. Protect tyres, save fuel

Underinflated tyres increase drag, forcing engines to work harder and wear out faster. Haul Track’s real-time tyre pressure monitoring catches issues early, allowing quick corrections. Proper inflation optimises fuel use, prolongs tyre durability, and enhances site safety.

7. Drive progress with clear performance goals

Haul Track’s robust data lets managers set fuel efficiency targets and monitor results over time. By analyzing trends and sharing feedback, teams stay motivated to improve. This data-driven approach fosters smarter decisions and a culture of continuous progress.

Moore’s strategies show that Haul Track is more than a data tool. It is a  game-changer for cost-conscious, eco-aware operations. With these seven tactics, site leaders and operators can transform insights into action, driving down costs and emissions while keeping their sites running at peak performance.