12th WaCA Mining Summit & Expo 2026

Ghana is Africa’s largest gold producer and 6^th globally, producing around 5 million ounces of gold in 2022. Gold accounts for ~95% of the country’s mineral revenue, with additional resources including bauxite, manganese, diamonds, iron ore, lithium, limestone, feldspar, quartz, and columbite-tantalite. Recent policies promoting lithium mining and green minerals are attracting foreign investment, while the sector benefits from ongoing reforms to enhance governance, infrastructure, and sustainable mining practices.

Burkina Faso ranks among West Africa’s most dynamic mining sectors, producing gold as its primary export and possessing significant deposits of copper, zinc, manganese, diamonds, iron, titanium, vanadium, nickel, aluminium, niobium, tantalum, tin, lithium, and rare earths. The country is actively diversifying mining production through geological research and infrastructure development, creating new opportunities for investment in both metallic and non-metallic minerals.

Nigeria is firmly back on the mining map, hosting 44 commercially viable minerals valued at US$700 billion, including gold, lithium, manganese, nickel, lead-zinc, and rare earth elements. Policy reforms and investment-friendly initiatives have attracted over US$800 million in foreign investment in 2024, while the government promotes local processing and value addition. These developments position Nigeria as a key emerging mining destination in West & Central Africa.

Sierra Leone is endowed with rutile, diamonds, bauxite, gold, iron ore, platinum, and heavy mineral sands. The Mines and Minerals Development Act of 2022 enhances transparency, governance, and community benefit, while major infrastructure projects — including the Pepel Port and Pepel-Tonkolili Railway expansion and Tonkolili North Iron Ore development — are improving export capacity. Mineral exports reached USD 1.2 billion, highlighting renewed investor confidence.

Mali is among the top gold producers in Africa, with gold output of around 70 tonnes in 2023. Other deposits include iron ore, phosphate, marble, granite, manganese, and lithium. The new Mali Mining Code strengthens local content, environmental protections, community development, and state participation in mining projects. Despite production challenges in 2024–2025, Mali remains a high-potential mining destination with opportunities in both industrial and artisanal sectors.

Liberia’s mineral wealth includes gold, diamonds, iron ore, manganese, bauxite, uranium, zinc, and lead, with iron ore historically accounting for nearly half of export earnings. Since 2006, the sector has attracted billions in investment from companies such as ArcelorMittal, Bea Mountain, China Union, Liberty Gold, Hummingbird Resources, MNG Gold Liberia, and Putu Iron Ore. Ongoing exploration and policy support are positioning Liberia as a high-potential mining hub in West Africa.

Niger is a strategic mining frontier, home to uranium, as well as emerging resources of copper, lithium, gold, and other critical minerals. Uranium remains a cornerstone of the economy, supplying around 5% of global output, while recent nationalization of key operations and new concessions in copper and lithium aim to diversify mineral output and attract investment for sustainable growth.

Ivory Coast has rapidly emerged as a mining powerhouse, with gold production increasing to ~58 tonnes in 2024, alongside deposits of manganese, nickel, bauxite, iron ore, and other critical minerals. New exploration permits and investment projects are boosting both gold and base-metal production, positioning the country as a diversified mining hub and a driver of sustainable economic growth in West Africa.

Gabon has the second largest deposit of manganese in the world and is currently the world’s third largest producer. The government is eager to diversify the mineral sector and has issued prospecting/exploration permits for iron, copper, diamonds, and other minerals.

Guinea is a leading global supplier of bauxite, alongside significant gold, iron ore, diamonds, and other mineral resources. The Simandou iron ore project is nearing first shipments, while alumina refineries and downstream processing projects aim to increase local value addition. With strong investor interest and ongoing infrastructure development, Guinea remains a key strategic mining hub.

CAR is rich in gold, diamonds, and critical minerals, with mining accounting for over 70% of export revenue. The 2024 Mining Code enhances governance and transparency, and a 25-year exploration agreement with CVMR Corporation opens opportunities for gold, uranium, copper, coltan, and nickel. While challenges remain in security and labor practices, CAR is taking steps to unlock mineral potential and attract responsible investment.

Cameroon hosts deposits of gold, iron ore, bauxite, rutile, cobalt, nickel, and rare-earth minerals, though much remains at exploration or early-stage development. Major projects include the Mbalam Iron Ore Project and Minim‑Martap Bauxite Project, with the government promoting mining to diversify the economy and create jobs amid declining oil revenues.

The DRC is a global mining powerhouse, with vast copper, cobalt, gold, lithium, industrial diamonds, tin, and coltan reserves. Projects like Deziwa Mine and Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project are expanding output, while regulatory reforms encourage local processing and responsible mining practices. Despite security and governance challenges, the DRC remains central to global critical- and base-mineral supply chains.

Mauritania’s mining sector contributes about 25% of GDP and 30% of government revenue, led by iron ore (via SNIM) and growing gold production (Tasiast Gold Mine). The country also has potential in copper, uranium, and phosphates, with ongoing policy reforms and infrastructure development aiming to further unlock mineral wealth and attract investment for value addition and exploration.