Mohamed Kebe, Managing Partner, Geni & Kebe

Geni & Kebe provide expert advice on West Africa.

Could you give us a brief introduction to Geni & Kebe, including company’s key expertise and affiliates in West Africa?

MK: Geni & Kebe is one of the largest and oldest law firms in West Africa. In 2012 the company celebrated its 100-year anniversary. Today, Geni & Kebe consists of four barristers, seven legal consultants and seven paralegals, and we provide advice to many mining corporations on cross-border transactions in various African countries. Over the past ten years, mining has become an important industry for Geni & Kebe as we have seen an increase in mining investment coming to Senegal and other African francophone countries.

Underrated Risk?

The latest in a long time of court cases should be pushing security and human rights risk up the risk agenda of juniors, mid- caps and majors alike.

Dr William Wiley and Oliver Cushing, Tsamota Ltd.

On the 4th July 2013 the Ontario Supreme Court of Justice ruled that a trio of actions brought against Hudbay Minerals Inc, alleging breaches of human rights against indigenous Guatemalans, could be tried in Ontario. On the 4th December 2013 the British High Court African Barrick Gold failed in its attempt to have a case brought against it alleging liability in the deaths of six Tanzanian villagers thrown out- an attempt that the judge disparagingly described as a ‘Tanzanian Torpedo.’

Ghanaian Mining: A Model Support Sector

Ghana’s service industry takes a leading role in West African mining.

Amelia Salutz

ACCRA, GHANA – Given Ghana’s head-start on mining development in the region, its service sector is poised to grow along with the West African mining boom. The government is working to increase local capacity for mining services to expand their potential beyond its borders by improving the implementation of local content and adding local procurement requirements.

Mining in Senegal: New Leadership Brings New Changes

Will Senegal’s new president bring about positive change for the industry?

Amelia Salutz

Flickr: Serigne Diagne

DAKAR, SENEGAL – The election of Macky Sall as president of Senegal brought a new administration into the country for the first time since 2000, when his predecessor Abdoulaye Wade assumed office. Under Wade’s presidency, Senegal saw its first commercial gold mine go into production at Sabodala and the sector’s contribution from GDP rise from 1.5% to 3%. In spite of this growth,

Mining in Zimbabwe: The Rules of the Game

Zimbabwe: laying down the law to attract responsible mining investment.

Anita Kruger

HARARE, ZIMBABWE – As one of Africa’s most notorious and much publicized mining countries, Zimbabwe has been on a challenging journey over the last 15 years. Zimbabwe has come to be known as a country rife with regulatory uncertainty and political instability, yet the situation is rapidly changing and the overwhelming verdict from both the private and the public sector is that the time to for serious investors to look to Zimbabwe is now.

From Mine to Market: Mozambique’s Infrastructure Challenges

Mozambique’s mining ambitions rely on infrastructure development.

Ramzy Bamieh

MAPUTO, MOZAMBIQUE – Located on some of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, Mozambique is by no means remote; it is simply underdeveloped. Urgent investments are thus being aimed at bringing its rail, road and port infrastructure to a state whereby it is able to handle the demand of the mining industry. Rafael Benke, global head of corporate affairs at Vale, has said that the Nacala Corridor and Sena rail line are “just the tip of the iceberg” in terms of infrastructural investments and developments in the country.

Uganda strives for mining transparency in the heart of East Africa

Challenging industry dynamics exacerbate the benefits balancing act as reform is underway.

Amelia Salutz

KAMPALA, UGANDA – Uganda has ambitious goals for its mineral sector. By virtue of its shared borders with the mining heavyweights of DRC and Tanzania, Uganda’s government and private investors have made a case for its geological potential in spite of its under-exploration. Giving further credence to its potential, historic production within the country boasts a diversity of minerals, from vermiculite to tungsten, copper, cobalt and gold.

Jean Kirsi Ouédraogo, General Director, Omega International

Omega International provides boots on the ground for Burkina juniors.

Could you introduce us to Omega International and tell us about the role the company plays in the local mining sector?

OI: The Office of Mines, Environment and Geosciences (Omega International) was founded in 2010. Our expertise is in providing geology and environmental services to the industry, however we also act as a representative for several mining companies. We are African professionals eager to share our experiences and know-how with the industry in the service of sustainable development.

Professor Francis P. Gudyanga, Permanent Secretary, Zimbabwe Ministry of Mines and Mining Development

Professor Gudyanga elaborates on Zimbabwe’s strategy and opportunities in its mining sector.

Can you give us a brief overview of the Zimbabwean Mining sector and its importance in the Zimbabwean economy?

FPG: Mining not only contributes 50% of Zimabwe’s total exports but is also a key sector in the generation of employment. It counts for a great part of formal employment as well a large number of informal jobs through the artisanal mining sector. Zimbabwe is also hoping to leverage the mining sector to redevelop its manufacturing sector: lately the value addition sector has been in decline and we would like to revive it.

Sharing Burkina Faso’s Mining Benefits, In Times of Boom and Bust

Challenging industry dynamics exacerbate the benefits balancing act as reform is underway.

Amelia Salutz

Credit: Flickr/Jeff Attaway

OUAGADOUGOU, BURKINA FASO – Burkina Faso’s mining sector has gone from virtually zero to a top African gold producer in less than a decade. While exploration activities date back to the early 1990s, the country’s first commercial gold mine entered into production in 2007, followed by seven others in the ensuing years. The birth of the sector has had a tremendous impact on the country’s economic growth as gold overtook cotton as Burkina Faso’s top export in 2009. Contributing 12.7% to GDP and adding $189 billion to government coffers in direct revenue, mining is giving the nation a sizeable pillar upon which to grow.