Lucara Diamond is under increasing financial pressure as it seeks additional funding to maintain liquidity and complete the delayed underground expansion of its Karowe mine in Botswana — the company’s sole producing asset. In its first-quarter 2025 results, CEO William Lamb confirmed that Lucara had received approval from lenders to draw $28 million from its cost overrun reserve account. The reserve is part of a $61.7 million facility provided by Nemesia, Lucara’s largest shareholder and
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reportedly joined efforts to co-finance the $25 billion Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project, following growing interest from the United States and other international stakeholders. Morocco’s Minister of Energy, Leila Benali, recently confirmed the UAE’s involvement, noting that the ambitious transcontinental project has also secured backing from major financial institutions, including the Islamic Development Bank (IDB), the OPEC Fund, and the European Investment Bank (EIB). Morocco continues to position itself as
The Government of Mozambique, through the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy, has signed two memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with the Republics of Zambia and Zimbabwe, reinforcing a shared commitment to regional energy integration, industrialization, and sustainable development in Southern Africa. The MoUs were signed during the 11th Mining and Energy Conference (MMEC) in Maputo and align with the goals of the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The agreement with Zambia lays the groundwork for
AIM-listed Vast Resources has announced the discovery of an additional 6,055.35 carats of gem-quality diamonds within a sealed parcel previously held in Zimbabwe, following a recent inspection by the Kimberley Process. The previously unknown diamonds were identified during the formal inspection process. The entire parcel, including the newly discovered stones, is currently in Dubai for final sorting ahead of cleaning and preparation for sale. Last month, the company confirmed the release of the historic parcel,
De Beers has announced plans to shut down its lab-grown diamond jewellery brand, Lightbox, and shift its focus back to natural diamonds as it contends with falling prices, weak demand, and tariff uncertainties. “As part of the closure process, De Beers is in discussions with potential buyers regarding the sale of certain assets, including inventory,” the company stated on Thursday. De Beers first launched Lightbox in September 2018, marking a significant shift from its long-standing
The Bank of Ghana has announced that the country’s gold reserves have reached an estimated GH₵46.4 billion as of the end of April 2025, driven by a sharp increase in global gold prices. According to an official update released on 6 May, gold prices rose to GH₵46,086.32 per ounce, boosting the value of Ghana’s reserves. The country’s total gold holdings now stand at 31.37 tonnes, equivalent to 1,008,837.07 ounces, based on the standard conversion rate
Equatorial Guinea has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Chinese engineering services firm Shanghai Supezet for the construction of a new oil refinery in the country. The agreement was signed on May 2 by Vice President Nguema Obiang Mangue and Zhang Jinhong, President of Shanghai Supezet. The MoU paves the way for the establishment of a joint venture to oversee the refinery’s development. Once operational, the refinery will process crude oil for domestic consumption,
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially opened 52 new oil exploration blocks in the Cuvette Centrale sedimentary basin, according to a recent announcement by Minister of Hydrocarbons, Aimé Sakombi Molendo. This marks the completion of the basin’s division into exploration zones. The process was carried out in coordination with the Ministry of Environment to ensure that boundaries of protected areas were respected. The newly designated blocks add to the three exploration areas previously
Namibia’s President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has reaffirmed the country’s ambition to become a major power exporter and a driving force behind Africa’s collective energy security. Speaking at the official opening of the 7th Namibia International Energy Conference, President Nandi-Ndaitwah—represented by Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare—called for deeper collaboration between government, academia, and industry. “Our goal is to export power, strategic energy commodities, and foster knowledge partnerships, while promoting regional integration and enhancing Africa’s collective energy security,” she
Botswana is taking steps to reduce spending in response to a prolonged downturn in the diamond market, which has led the government to raise its budget deficit forecast to post-Covid levels, according to the country’s Finance Minister and Vice President, Ndaba Gaolathe. In an interview in Washington, Gaolathe emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “Something drastic” needs to be done. He added, “The first thing we need to do is live within our means.
