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On day 23 of the 2024 WhyAfrica Road Trip through South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya earlier this year, we visited Lotus Resources’ Kayelekera uranium project close to Karonga in the far north of Malawi.  Paladin Energy, who mined Kayelekera between 2009 and 2014, left behind solid infrastructure, including roads, power, an open pit mine, tailings storage facilities and a complete uranium processing plant. According to Theo Keyter, General Manager at Kayelekera, the company will initially start re-mining old stockpiles left by Paladin before further developing the current open pit to a depth of about 60m. Keyter took WhyAfrica on a fantastic tour of the facilities and a site visit to the old mine, tailings facilities and processing plant. We spent the night in comfort in Lotus’ mining village.   Lotus announced in November that Kayelekera is now fully funded for the 2025 restart. According to Lotus CEO Greg Bittar the successful placement of AUD130-million, along with AUD25-million cash the company had at the end of September, will ensure that Lotus is fully funded to restart operations at Kayelekera in the third quarter of 2025. Read more about Lotus, Malawi and uranium projects in Africa in the January issue of the WhyAfrica magazine, which will be available soon. Remember, you can subscribe to our free magazines and newsletters by visiting the WhyAfrica website, your one-stop-shop for on-the-ground information and business intelligence about Africa. WhyAfrica specialises in the sustainable use and responsible extraction of Africa’s natural resources. Image: WhyAfrica on a site visit to the Kayelekera uranium project’s processing plant with Theo Keyter, General Manager at Kayelekera on the left. On the right is Charl van Rensburg from WhyAfrica’s premier sponsor Remote Exploration Services (RES). Charl joined the WhyAfrica overland road trip for part of the adventure through Mozambique, Malawi and one night in Tanzania, before jumping on a train from Mbeya in Tanzania to Dar Es Salaam and back to South Africa. Image credit: Leon Louw for WhyAfrica Leon Louw Remote Exploration Services (RES) Charl van Rensburg #whyafricaroadtrips #whyafrica #uranium #malawi #africa #mining 

Another highlight during the 2024 WhyAfrica Road Trip through South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya was our site visit to Caledonia Mining Corporation’s Blanket gold mine, one of the oldest and most impressive gold mines in Southern Africa. The Blanket mine is located within the Gwanda Greenstone Belt, one of 28 Greenstone Belts in Zimbabwe. In 1904 a group of explorers stumbled upon old mine workings at the north-west end of the Gwanda Greenstone Belt. Being amateurs, they started mining only the visible gold sections, in other words they picked the “eyes” from the mine. Despite their ignorance, these pioneers established a working mining operation, and the Blanket gold mine was born. A conglomerate called the Matabele Reefs and Estate Company started mining the deposit soon after and in 1911 sold the property and license to Forbes Rhodesia Syndicate, who mined it intermittently until Falconbridge acquired the property and mining rights in 1965. Falconbridge managed to increase gold production to an average of about 45kg per month. But it wasn’t until Kinross took over mining operations in 1993 that Blanket started showing significant profits. Kinross enlarged the CIL plant to a capacity of 3,800 tpd to treat the RoM and large chunks of historic tailings.        Caledonia Mining Corporation bought the Blanket mine from Kinross in April 2006 and immediately started investing in underground and surface infrastructure to increase gold production. Blanket mine was officially on the map. Today, Caledonia’s Blanket gold mine remains one of the top performing mining operations in Southern Africa. In picture is Leon Louw, founder of WhyAfrica and editor of the WhyAfrica magazine with Elton Gwatidzo, General Manager at Blanket mine (on the left), in front of the new shaft at the mining operation close to Gwanda in Zimbabwe (image credit: WhyAfrica) You can read more about the Blanket mine in the November issue of the WhyAfrica magazine, which is available in print and in digital format (our magazines and newsletter are free for all followers). You can subscribe to get free magazines and newsletters directly on the WhyAfrica website. To read more about Zimbabwe, gold, Greenstone Belts and the annual WhyAfrica Road Trips, you can purchase our special Road Trip research reports from the WhyAfrica online store. If you are already a WhyAfrica partner, member, sponsor or advertiser you get free copies of all WhyAfrica’s reports and 20% of all our other offerings and products, including our specialist tours to Africa. Visit the WhyAfrica online store on our website today for more information. Our next road trip departs in August/September next year. Contact us if you want to be part of the evolving WhyAfrica story. The 2025 WhyAfrica Road Trip will be our fourth event since we established WhyAfrica at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Leon Louw #whyafricaroadtrips #whyafrica #gold #africa   

Although Eswatini boasts an extensive road network of about 4000km, a large part of rural roads in the country remains unpaved, which is problematic, especially in the rainy season. About 60% of the road network in Eswatini is paved. This includes most of the major roads, ensuring connectivity between urban centres. These roads are regularly maintained and remain in a good condition. However, a large part of the rural network, especially tertiary roads face challenges such as erosion, washouts and inadequate maintenance, particularly during heavy rainfall. The African Development Bank Group recently approved a loan of USD140.6- million to Eswatini for the first stage of a programme to improve road links and mobility at national and regional level in both urban and rural areas and create at least 200 jobs. Inadequate road infrastructure is a major reason why socio-economic development has struggled to make progress in the regions of Lubombo and Shiselweni. The regions have abundant agricultural resources, but employment opportunities are limited, and young people lack essential skills. The road infrastructure investment will enable upgrading of 105.9km of paved roads. The Siphofaneni-Sithobelath-Maloma-Nsoko (MR14) and Maloma-Siphambanweni (MR21) sections will be upgraded and will have a width of 12.3m, including two-metre paved shoulders on each side of the road as well as bridges. The project also includes construction of an axle-load weighing facility along the MR14 road. In addition, support will be provided to sectoral reforms of policy and institutional frameworks in the sphere of road safety (current road safety provisions are not consistently implemented), and for the design of an axle-load control programme. According to Moono Mupotola, the Bank’s Country Manager for Eswatini the project will contribute to poverty reduction by creating well-paid jobs for young people in economically disadvantaged regions such as Lubombo and Shilselweni. While the road network in Eswatini is reasonably good compared to other African countries, the government has been working on improving road infrastructure, focusing on upgrading gravel roads to paved ones and enhancing transport safety. Projects are also underway to improve road signage and strengthen the road network’s resilience to extreme weather events. Read the full article by clicking on the link or visit the WhyAfrica website https://lnkd.in/dWzphFkv #whyafricaroadtrips #whyafrica #africa 

The highlight of WhyAfrica’s 2024 Road Trip through South Africa, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya was visiting all three of mining giant Barrick’s gold projects in Tanzania. Barrick has been operating the Buzwagi, Bulyanhulu and North Mara gold mines in Tanzania since 1999, originally through its subsidiary Acacia Mining. Barrick acquired Acacia in 2019 and today the company is one of the largest foreign investors in Tanzania's mining sector. Although it was never a smooth ride for Acacia Mining in Tanzania, the relationship broke down completely under now deceased President John Magufuli which resulted in several legal and financial disputes. In 2019, Barrick reached an agreement with the Tanzanian government. The agreement resulted in the establishment of a new operating company called Twiga Minerals Corporation (Twiga) to manage Bulyanhulu, North Mara and Buzwagi. In terms of the agreement the Tanzanian government were given a 16% stake in all three mines. In return, the Tanzanian government lifted its export ban on mineral concentrates and resolved many of the legal issues that had clouded the relationship between Acacia (later Barrick) and Tanzania. Barrick’s impact in Tanzania is significant. Since the Twiga deal this Joint Venture has contributed almost 51% of the government’s revenue from the entire Tanzania extractive industry (according to the latest report from the Tanzania Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative).   In picture is the team at Bulyanhulu with a copy of the WhyAfrica Road Trip magazine. This magazine travelled 9000km with us through Africa and we handed out printed copies at all 30 project sites that we visited and to the 45 plus decision makers that we interviewed including (amongst others) CEOs, ministers, general managers, geologists and procurement and environmental managers. Read more about Barrick, the company’s massive impact on Africa mining and about its continued exploration push in Tanzania in the exclusive January issue of the WhyAfrica magazine. This magazine will be available in digital format and print. The digital copy will be on display on the homepage of the WhyAfrica website for three months, while the exclusive printed copies will be handed out at handpicked, impactful events focussing on Africa as well as to all captains of industry we interview throughout 2025.     WhyAfrica would like to thank Barrick and all the staff members at Buzwagi, Bulyanhulu and North Mara for their warm hospitality and amazing welcome. Being on the ground and in the company of passionate and loyal mining professionals and geologists for five full days in Barrick’s amazing mining villages in Tanzania was an incredible experience.   WhyAfrica’s next Road Trip through Africa departs again on 15 August 2025. If you or your company would like to be a part of the 2025 WhyAfrica Road Trip story, contact us asap.    Leon Louw Barrick SALLY LE ROUX #whyafricaroadtrips #whyafrica

Droughts, floods, heatwaves and cyclones displace millions, compound poverty, threaten food security and destabilise economies. The need to invest in climate adaptation and mitigation is urgent – bringing an alarming need for African countries to reassess their financing models to bridge this gap. With sovereign debt levels already constraining many governments, public capital alone cannot meet Africa’s climate financing needs. Private capital is essential for scaling up investments.   For example, South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) is a public-private partnership with the goal of increasing the country’s electricity capacity via private sector financing. Before the programme’s establishment in 2011, South Africa had a very minimal private power sector. Today, the country has majorly expanded its installed energy capacity and is one of the largest financiers of renewable energy across the African continent. According to an article by Msizi Khoza, Head: ESG, Absa Corporate & Investment Banking published on the WhyAfrica website this morning, South Africa has seen the highest growth in renewable energy capacity on the continent, including the highest installed wind capacity, accounting for 41% of total installations.   “This transformation was made possible by policies that encouraged private investment while aligning with public climate goals. These models demonstrate how governments across Africa can attract private sector participation to drive the energy transition by creating supportive policy frameworks. “As the global race for climate capital continues to accelerate, African countries must embrace innovative and inclusive financing models that truly move the needle. “Leaning on public-private partnerships, exploring tax system reform, and harnessing domestic resources are key to addressing the continent’s complex, and urgent, climate financing challenges,” writes Khoza. Image: Prolonged droughts and severe heatwaves have displaced many people in Africa, compounded poverty and threatens food security. Image credit: Lazarus Marson from Unsplash. To read the full article click on the link below or visit the WhyAfrica website, your one-stop-shop for on-the-ground information and business intelligence about Africa.   WhyAfrica specialises in the conservation, sustainable use and responsible extraction of Africa’s natural resources.   We focus on mining and mineral exploration, critical minerals, biodiversity conservation, environmental management, natural resource management, the wildlife economy and rural development.   We also look at the impact extreme weather events, climate change, technology, the African Continental Free Trade Area, African politics, geopolitics and ESG considerations have on your business and investments in Africa.      #whyafrica #whyafricaroadtrips #africa   https://lnkd.in/dcJgBAqA 

Should Africa invest in more rubber plantations? Global demand for natural rubber continues to increase. Several African countries and private companies are looking at rubber plantations with renewed interest. About 70% of natural rubber is used in the production of tyres for vehicles including large mining equipment. The rise of Electric Vehicles (EVs) has also contributed to rubber demand. While EVs use fewer tyres than conventional vehicles, the overall growth in vehicle production still adds to the rubber demand. On average, a standard passenger car tyre contains about 7 to 10kg of rubber, which is used in a tyre's tread, sidewalls, and inner layers. Africa’s rubber production is mainly concentrated in countries with suitable tropical climates. The most notable producers in Africa include Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Liberia, Ghana, Nigeria, Cameroon, Uganda, Sierra Leone and Malawi   During the 2024 WhyAfrica Road Trip we had a look at the Vizara rubber plantations in the Nkhata Bay District of Central Malawi. The Vizara Plantation is the only commercially viable rubber plantation in Southern Africa. The founders (Moir brothers) planted the first seedlings in 1880. Commercial production started shortly thereafter when Scottish company African Lakes Corporation (ALC) acquired the plantation.     In 1985, ALC bought Chombe Tea Estate from Guthries, uprooted the tea bushes and replanted the area with rubber. In 2004, after over 120 years of ownership, ALC sold the estate to Nyasa Investments, the new owners. The Estate now comprises 2,656 hectares of area under rubber plantation. The rubber trees in this area provide an abundance of crude rubber, a superb material for football-crafting. The locals in and around Nkhata bay produce great rubber balls, which are very bouncy and fun to play with. The rubber balls in the video of the Vizara Plantation are made with a bladder inside, and hundreds of long thin strips of rubber are latticed around it. Balancing the economic benefits of rubber production with sustainable practices is critical to reduce its adverse effects. Sustainable rubber production techniques, such as agroforestry and better land management, can help mitigate some of these challenges Read more by clicking on the below link. Find out more about the rubber plantations of Malawi and its environmental impacts in our WhyAfrica Road Trip Report that you can purchase in the WhyAfrica online shop. Remember, WhyAfrica members get our research papers and road trip reports for free. Sign up to become a WhyAfrica member by visiting our website (www.whyafrica.co.za) #whyafricaroadtrips #whyafrica #africa #naturalresources #forestry   https://lnkd.in/dE5mdSPS

The role of termite mounds in geology and exploration is often overlooked. However, scientists have found various ways in which termite mounds are used or studied in the context of geology and exploration. The largest termite mounds are found Zimbabwe, Botswana, and South Africa. These mounds are built by Macrotermes species (fungus growing termites). Termite mounds may indicate the presence of mineral deposits below the surface. For example, termite activity may bring up fine particles of minerals such as iron, clay, or even gold, which can be valuable for exploration. Researchers often examine the composition of termite mounds for "pathfinder elements," which are chemicals or minerals that may lead to the discovery of larger ore deposits. By analysing termite mound soil, geologists may identify areas to target for further exploration. Recently the world’s oldest active termite mounds were discovered in Namaqualand, South Africa, dating back 34 000 years. The mounds or 'heuweltjies' (little hills) are inhabited by the southern harvester termite. Their nests are not as elaborate as those of the fungus growing termites. According to a recent study these mounds act as carbon sinks, by removing carbon dioxide naturally from the atmosphere and storing it underground or in soil. The discovery will form part of a study on their carbon storage potential, funded through a joint grant by the National Science Foundation in the US and South Africa's National Research Foundation. In Africa, termite mound clay is used in the building of traditional houses, and for producing good quality bricks.  Termite mound clay is pozzolanic in action and accelerates setting times. It has high affinity for water. Extensive research and statistical analysis have shown that reliable concrete of good quality can be produced from clay unearthed from termite mounds. Read more: https://lnkd.in/daDbv9sZ During our 2025 WhyAfrica Road Trip through Africa, we will go searching for these termite mounds and their importance in geology, exploration and climate change studies. Remember, if you become a member of WhyAfrica, you will be able to access our WhyAfrica WhatsApp Channel for free which will be enable you to join us virtually in our exploration endeavours and project site visits. Head to the WhyAfrica website for more information on WhyAfrica membership.       In picture is a family in Namibia using the clay from a termite mound to produce bricks. The photo was taken during our 2022 WhyAfrica Road Trip in the Kavango region of Namibia. Image credit: Leon Louw for WhyAfrica. #whyafricaroadtrips #whyafrica #africa #exploration #geology    

Water management is crucial to the successful operation of Kangra Coal’s colliery near eMkhondo in the Mpumalanga Province of South Africa. Kangra falls within an important ecological region. The responsible and sustainable management of its water resources is critical to ensure the long-term longevity of the entire hydrological system, and also the sustainable functioning of Kangra’s coal mine until closure.   The sustainable management of water resources include access to fresh water for surrounding communities, something which has been absent in the eMkhondo region for a long time and which Kangra will now supply.     According to Paul Redelinghuys, General Manager at Kangra, the company is committed to striking a balance between operational demands, water conservation and ecological responsibility. “Effective water management is of great importance to Kangra. We don’t only address and focus on the present challenges of water supply, demand, usage and quality, but we also strive to implement sustainable water use practices in the long-term,” Redelinghuys tells WhyAfrica during a recent site visit. WhyAfrica did a road trip through the province of Mpumalanga in South Africa recently. During the trip we visited several coal mines. We focused specifically on water management, environmental management and the effectiveness and sustainability of mining and processing equipment and how new technology and innovation will improve current coal mining methods and outdated equipment. Our road trip findings and articles are published in a number of reports that will be available to purchase from our on-line shop next year. Keep following the WhyAfrica on-line shop in 2025 as we expand our product range to assist you in doing business in Africa, working in Africa and travel overland across Africa. Remember if you subscribe to become a WhyAfrica member, you will receive all our products for free. In addition, we’ll assist you in publishing three articles per year about your company on all WhyAfrica's platforms and other media platforms in Africa and distribute your marketing material (for free) across Africa during our road trips. Members also gain access to the WhyAfrica Road Trip WhatsApp Channel where you’ll be able to follow us in real time during our road trips, and even join us virtually during site visits and interviews. Members also get free access to our WhyAfrica networking and mingling events. The first one in 2025 will take place in January. To become a WhyAfrica member visit the WhyAfrica website.           In picture is Paul Redelinghuys, General Manager at Kangra, on site when WhyAfrica visited Kangra’s operations in Mpumalanga. Image credit: Leon Louw for WhyAfrica. Leon Louw Kangra Coal Menar Social #whyafricaroadtrips #whyafrica #africa To read the full article about Kangra click on the link: https://lnkd.in/dD6vU7qQ

Ethiopia is home to nine diverse national parks, which are spread across the country and showcase a variety of landscapes, ecosystems, and wildlife. These parks play an important role in conservation efforts and offer opportunities for eco-tourism.   However, conservation in Ethiopia is under pressure for a number of reasons, the most pressing being a lack of funding and limited resources. Most of Ethiopia’s national parks and protected areas are in remote locations, making access difficult. Poor infrastructure like inadequate roads, a lack of facilities and insufficient transportation options, hampers both conservation efforts and ecotourism development. Without proper infrastructure, monitoring wildlife populations, enforcing laws, and conducting scientific research become significantly harder, making it difficult to assess conservation needs and trends In a landmark deal signed last week, the Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority (EWCA) and the President of the Gambella Peoples' National Regional State (the Gambella State) agreed upon a long-term management partnership with conservation NGO African Parks to manage the Gambella National Park, the largest national park in Ethiopia. Located between two major river systems, the Baro River in the north and Akobo River in the south, Gambella is rich in species variety, including the country’s largest remaining population of elephant and one of the most endangered giraffe populations in the world – the Nubian giraffe. It also hosts large populations of white-eared kob, Nile lechwe, over 230 bird species and 113 fish species. The region is inhabited by various pastoral and agricultural Nilotic communities, including the Nuer, Anuak and Majang, as well as Omotic peoples – comprising a local population estimated to be approximately 400,000. Gambella forms a key part of a much larger natural system that stretches across southern Ethiopia and South Sudan, which is home to the largest land mammal migration on Earth. More than six million antelope annually move across the broader landscape which incorporates Gambella and South Sudan’s Boma-Badingilo national parks. To read the full article and more about conservation in Africa click on the link below or visit the WhyAfrica website (https://lnkd.in/dj38TzXR) You can also visit our sister company and tour operator Endorphin Expeditions' website if you're interested in visiting the remote regions of Africa (https://lnkd.in/dvgjcrfu) Image: The Gambella National Park in Ethiopia hosts large populations of Nile lechwe. Image credit: African Parks   WhyAfrica specialises in the conservation, sustainable use and responsible extraction of Africa’s natural resources.   Leon Louw African Parks Network   #whyafricaroadtrips #whyafrica #endorphinexpeditions #naturalresources #environmentalmanagement #conservation https://lnkd.in/deqzPnf2

Boots on the ground doesn’t always mean getting your boots dirty. I swopped the hard hat, safety boots and overalls for a collared shirt and proper camera in the cool Menar studio in Sandton on a scorching hot Johannesburg morning earlier this week.   Menar uses the studio during the company’s annual Mining Journalism Training (MJT) programme. The MJT is a knowledge-sharing platform created to promote mining literacy skills. MJT falls under the umbrella of the Menar Academy which aims to become a hub of continual learning and sharing of knowledge. Initially, the programme was designed for practising journalists and journalism students with an interest in covering mining related stories. However, MJT was later expanded to include professionals and students across different sectors who are interested in mining literacy. Luckily, I was on the other side of the camera. In the hotseat is Ricardo van Rooi, who joined Menar at the beginning of February 2024 as the Group Health & Safety manager. Ricardo is a natural in front of the camera and told us more about what his day-to-day activities as health and safety manager entails, and why health and safety is so important to the Menar group and to the growing African mining industry. You can listen to Ricardo next week on the WhyAfrica YouTube Channel (@whyafrica4709). While you are there, please check out all the other WhyAfrica YouTube video clips. They are unedited and without filters. What we see and hear, is what you get. Together all these snippets tell you WhyAfrica’s unique African story over the last four years. Don’t forget to subscribe to the WhyAfrica YouTube Channel and continue following our African journey and WhyAfrica’s annual Road Trips through Africa. Remember, you and your company can become part of this unique African story. All you need to do is send me an email. Better still, contact me on WhatsApp. All contact details are on the WhyAfrica website, your one-stop shop for on the ground information and business intelligence about Africa. #whyafricaroadtrips #whyafrica #africa Leon Louw MENAR Canyon Coal