Global | 2026
Merger and acquisition activity across Africa’s mining sector has accelerated to its strongest pace in more than a decade as competition intensifies for copper, lithium, gold and other critical mineral assets.
Recent transactions include Zijin Mining’s acquisition of a major gold asset in Ghana, AngloGold Ashanti’s expansion in Egypt, Ganfeng Lithium’s investment in Mali and continued strategic investment in Guinea’s Simandou iron ore project.
Market observers note that Chinese and Gulf investors continue to dominate many of the continent’s largest mining transactions, while Western companies have generally adopted a more cautious investment approach amid evolving environmental, financing and geopolitical considerations.
Project Herald Insight
The surge in mining acquisitions reflects growing global competition for the raw materials needed to support the energy transition and advanced manufacturing.
For Project Herald readers, this trend provides important context behind many of Africa’s largest mining, infrastructure and financing announcements, as strategic investors continue positioning themselves around long-term access to critical mineral supply chains.
The pace and composition of mining investment will remain one of the defining themes shaping Africa’s project pipeline over the coming years.
Source: Mining Weekly, Les Africanistes M&A Tracker (2026)
Read more Brief: https://www.theprojectherald.com/rio-tinto-glencore-merger-africa-mining-2026/