Mining investment across Africa and the Middle East is increasingly moving beyond exploration and raw mineral production, with companies and governments focusing more heavily on processing, refining, mine-site power and downstream manufacturing. Project announcements in July 2026 point to growing interest in integrated developments designed to capture more value from mineral resources and reduce dependence on external processing and infrastructure.
Namibia Attracts Rare Earth and Copper Investment
In Namibia, Namibia Critical Metals, Japan’s JOGMEC and Toyota Tsusho formalised their partnership around the Lofdal heavy rare-earth project. Japan completed a C$23 million earn-in for a 50% participating interest, while JOGMEC committed up to another C$47.7 million for feasibility and pre-development work.
Lofdal is notable for its dysprosium, terbium and yttrium resources, which are important for high-performance permanent magnets. The partners are also examining potential downstream processing in Namibia. Namibia is simultaneously attracting Chinese expertise into its copper sector. African Pioneer signed a development and financing agreement with Xinhai covering the Ongombo and Ongeama copper projects. The programme is estimated at around US$60 million, with Xinhai expected to contribute financing, exploration, engineering, construction and commissioning expertise.
Ivanhoe Expands Integrated Copper Operations
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivanhoe Mines is continuing to develop an integrated copper platform at Kamoa-Kakula. Its on-site smelter was operating at around 60% capacity during the second quarter and produced 112,307 tonnes of sulphuric acid, providing an additional commercial revenue stream.
Ivanhoe is also commissioning a hybrid energy system combining 433 MWp of solar generation with 1,107 MWh of battery storage, designed to provide approximately 60 MW of continuous baseload power. The combination of copper mining, smelting and renewable energy is designed to reduce logistics and energy risks while increasing the amount of value generated at the mine site.
Gold Projects Move Toward Processing and Refining
Gold developers are also investing more heavily in processing infrastructure. In Guinea, Predictive Discovery is advancing the Bankan Gold Project, with contracts awarded for a 40 MW power station, grinding mills and a tailings facility. The project development estimate remains around US$463 million. Guinea’s new refining requirements are also influencing project planning. A July decree requires domestically refined gold to reach 95.5% purity before export, prompting Predictive Discovery to examine on-site refining capacity.
In Côte d’Ivoire, Endeavour Mining is advancing the Assafou gold project, which is expected to require US$1.061 billion in initial capital. Its proposed processing plant would handle 5 million tonnes annually, with projected production of around 320,000 ounces of gold per year during the first eight years.
Strategic Capital Supports African Mining
Strategic investment is becoming another important source of mining finance. China’s Zijin Gold ended its proposed US$3.9 billion acquisition of Allied Gold, but agreed to acquire a 9.2% stake worth approximately US$295 million. The funds will support projects in Ethiopia, Mali and Côte d’Ivoire. In Madagascar, the US International Development Finance Corporation has committed up to US$4.84 million for pilot-plant operations, metallurgical testing and environmental work at the Ampasindava rare-earth project.
Morocco Builds a Battery Manufacturing Base
The African Development Bank has approved a US$110 million loan for Gotion Power Morocco’s lithium iron phosphate battery plant. The first phase is designed for 10 GWh of annual production, while longer-term plans target 100 GWh. The project is also aiming for approximately 70% local industrial integration. The investment strengthens Morocco’s position as a potential battery and automotive manufacturing hub, rather than simply a supplier of raw materials.
Middle East Pushes Mineral Processing
Across North Africa and the Middle East, governments are also pursuing greater domestic processing. Egypt is developing phosphate projects that could combine mining, beneficiation, phosphoric acid and fertilizer production, while Jordan is linking its phosphate and potash industries with specialty fertilizer and chemical manufacturing.
In Oman, Solidcore Resources and Minerals Development Oman are developing the Khabiyat copper-gold project. Solidcore can earn up to 60% through staged investment, while the partners are considering a hub-and-spoke model that could use existing third-party processing infrastructure. Technology is becoming part of the same transformation. In the UAE, Orbitworks and IRH Technology are developing a system combining satellite Earth observation and artificial intelligence for mineral exploration.
Mining Investment Shifts Toward Integrated Value Chains
The overall direction is becoming increasingly clear. Mining investment in Africa and the Middle East is shifting from standalone extraction toward integrated industrial value chains.
Processing plants, renewable energy, refining, logistics, technology and downstream manufacturing are increasingly being developed alongside mines. This approach can help companies reduce costs, strengthen supply security and retain more value locally. As governments seek greater domestic beneficiation and investors look for projects with stronger long-term economics, the competitive mining project of the future is increasingly likely to be more than a mine. It will be an integrated platform connecting resources, processing, energy, infrastructure and global markets.
