Eswatini is actively seeking foreign partners to support its mineral exploration and extraction activities, following the launch of the second phase of its critical mineral mapping program. Prince Lonkhokhela, Eswatini’s Minister of Natural Resources and Energy, will highlight these opportunities at the Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) 2024 summit in Cape Town. He will join other African ministers, including Martin Gama Abucha of South Sudan, Monica Chang’anamuno of Malawi, and Louis Kabamba Watum of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
As a frontier mining market, Eswatini is engaged in various programmes to accelerate the exploration of its critical minerals. In December 2023, the Geological Survey of Eswatini, in collaboration with South Africa’s Council for Geoscience, launched the second phase of a joint geoscience mapping programme. Utilising AI-based techniques, this initiative aims to locate and map the country’s critical mineral resources, marking a significant milestone in regional collaboration for sector growth. Currently, Eswatini produces minor quantities of aggregate, coal, gold, and iron ore.
‘Eswatini represents a promising yet untapped critical minerals market. Recent mapping programmes have identified mineralisation in several basins across the Kingdom. Increased cooperation with global stakeholders is key to injecting capital and technology into new projects,’ stated Rachelle Kasongo, Event & Project Director at CMA 2024 organisers, Energy Capital & Power.
Eswatini is also collaborating with industry stakeholders to attract foreign investments to bolster its critical mineral industry. In January, Minister Lonkhokhela met with the country’s Minerals and Mines Management Board to create an enabling environment for private sector participation in exploration, production, and job creation within the mining sector. At CMA 2024, Minister Lonkhokhela will connect with global investors and industry service providers to discuss and explore Eswatini’s mining prospects.
The Critical Minerals Africa 2024 summit, scheduled for November 6-7, aims to position Africa as a leading investment destination for critical minerals. This event coincides with the African Energy Week: Invest in African Energy 2024 conference from November 4-8, offering delegates access to leaders in energy, mining, and finance in Cape Town. Interested parties can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.
