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Mining industry

The Copper Scramble: African Mining Week Explores Merger & Acquisition Deals

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

As the global energy transition and the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution drive up demand for copper, African countries are leveraging this surge to boost investments across the value chain. The upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) conference will examine the impact of Merger & Acquisition (M&A) deals on the continent's copper industry, highlighting recent deals and investment opportunities across the market. Key players such as U.S.-based startup KoBold Metals, UAE-based International Resource Holdings, and China's JCHX Mining Management are among those that have made significant M&A deals in Zambia, aiming to tap into the mineral-rich Central African Copperbelt.

Key Takeaways:

  • African Mining Week (AMW) 2025 will host high-level panel discussions, exclusive networking sessions, and project showcases, highlighting investment opportunities within the copper industry.
  • The AMW 2025 session on copper will explore how recent mergers are driving production across select markets, including Zambia, where several impactful M&A deals have been made.
  • Striving to produce three million tons of copper per annum by 2031, Zambia has witnessed several impactful M&A deals recently, including the $1.1 billion acquisition of the Mopani Mine by UAE-based International Resource Holdings.
  • U.S.-based startup KoBold Metals has committed over $2 billion following its acquisition of the Dumbwa and Konkola West projects, further accelerating Zambia's copper output ambitions.
  • Other international players, including Mercuria and Patriot Lithium, have also entered the Zambian market via M&A deals, aiming to tap into the mineral-rich Central African Copperbelt.
  • In Botswana, recent M&A deals aim to unlock the potential of the Kalahari Copper Belt, which stretches into Namibia, with Mining firm BHP securing stakes in Cobre Limited and planning to invest $25 million in exploration.
  • China's MMG Limited has announced a $700 million investment to double output at the Khoemacau Mine after acquiring it from Canada's Cuprous Capital in 2024.

Statistics:

  • $1.1 billion: The acquisition value of the Mopani Mine by UAE-based International Resource Holdings in 2024.
  • $2 billion: The commitment by U.S.-based startup KoBold Metals for the acquisition of the Dumbwa and Konkola West projects.
  • 300,000 tons: The expected copper production increase within three years following the acquisition of the Mopani Mine.
  • $25 million: The planned investment by BHP in exploration for the Cobre Limited project.
  • $700 million: The announced investment by China's MMG Limited to double output at the Khoemacau Mine.
  • 2031: The target year for Zambia to produce three million tons of copper per annum.

Sources:

  • M2 PressWIRE - June 18, 2025
  • African Mining Week - October 1-3, 2025
  • International Resource Holdings
  • JCHX Mining Management
  • KoBold Metals
  • Mercuria
  • Patriot Lithium
  • BHP
  • Cobre Limited
  • MMG Limited
  • Cuprous Capital

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