DR Congo | - Part 2

Congo’s Miners Face Harsh New Reality as Mining Law Finalized

KINSHASA (Capital Markets in Africa) – The options for mining companies battling new legislation in the Democratic Republic of Congo — Africa’s biggest copper producer and the source of two-thirds of the world’s cobalt — have just about run out. After six months of lobbying, companies including Glencore Plc and Randgold Resources Ltd. have got nowhere in their battle to push back against the mining law, which voids existing agreements and increases their costs. Congo approved the final part of…

Congo Premier Rules Out Kabila Candidacy in Vote for President

Posted on by The Editorial Team

KINSHASA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Democratic Republic of Congo President Joseph Kabila isn’t planning to seek another term in an election scheduled for December as his opponents have speculated, the country’s prime minister said. While the constitution bars Kabila from seeking a third term, he’s refused publicly to rule himself out as a candidate in a vote scheduled for Dec. 23. Attempting to extend his 17-year rule would outrage his opponents and risk destabilizing Africa’s biggest…

Glencore Said to Face U.K. Bribery Probe Over Congo Dealings

Posted on by The Editorial Team

JOHANNESBURG (Capital Markets in Africa) – The U.K.’s white-collar crime prosecutor is preparing to open a formal bribery investigation into Glencore Plc and its work with Israeli billionaire Dan Gertler and the leader of Democratic Republic of Congo, according to two people with knowledge of the matter. Investigators at the Serious Fraud Office plan to seek formal approval for a full probe into Glencore’s dealings in Congo, said the people, who declined to be identified because the matter isn’t…

Congo President Set to Approve Law Changes Despite Miners’ Pleas

Posted on by The Editorial Team

KINSHASA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Congolese President Joseph Kabila will sign off on changes to the country’s mining code but left the door open to further talks after a lengthy meeting with senior industry executives who oppose the legal reform. Glencore Plc Chief Executive Officer Ivan Glasenberg, Randgold Resources Ltd.’sMark Bristow and other top officials met Kabila for five hours Wednesday in the capital, Kinshasa, to discuss the new rules. The changes will raise taxes and other costs…

Seeking IMF Bailout, Debt-Laden Congo Steps Up War on Graft

Posted on by The Editorial Team

KINSHASA (Capital Markets in Africa )- Authorities in the Republic of Congo plan to arrest more officials as part of an anti-corruption drive to meet conditions set by the International Monetary Fund for a bailout. Oil-producing Congo owes creditors at least $9.14 billion and sought support from the IMF last year. The Washington-based lender has insisted the government make “bold and immediate governance reforms” before any package is considered. Congo’s intelligence service last month arrested…

Congo May More Than Double Tax on Critical Cobalt Supply

Posted on by The Editorial Team

KINSHASA (Capital Markets in Africa) – The Democratic Republic of Congo is preparing to more than double a tax on two-thirds of global cobalt supply, potentially increasing the cost of the critical battery metal just as the world begins to embrace electric vehicles. Congo, the world’s biggest cobalt producer, will increase the royalty miners pay on exports of the metal to 5 percent from 2 percent if it opts to categorize cobalt as a “strategic substance,” Mines Minister Martin…

The Cobalt Crunch for Electric Cars Could Be Solved in Suburbia

Posted on by The Editorial Team

KINSHASA (Capital Markets in Africa) – Almost 9,000 miles from the dusty Congo savanna, miners have hit on an entirely new source of cobalt — the rare mineral at the heart of the electric-car boom. And not only can they take coffee breaks, when they take a break, they can grab a donut at Tim Hortons. Scientists working for American Manganese Inc., located in the suburbs of Vancouver, have developed a way to produce enough…

« 1 2 3 4 … 6 »