African mining markets are seeing unprecedented growth in greenfield exploration, with governments and investors rushing to secure new mineral reserves and expand production pipelines. Last year, South Africa granted 358 new exploration licenses, Ghana is pursuing more than 90 projects and Namibia received more than 800 new applications – all signaling Africa's intention to strengthen its role in supplying vital minerals to the global economy. The move comes as demand for critical minerals is projected to quadruple by 2040, while gold and other traditional commodities have reached record prices, making exploration a strategic priority for industrial growth, job creation and downstream economic diversification.
South Africa: securing global PGM leadership
South Africa is boosting its exploration pipeline to maintain global leadership in platinum group metals, chrome and manganese while reviving gold and iron ore fields. In 2025, the country granted 358 new prospecting rights and 32 mining rights, signaling an important step towards unlocking mineral resources and supporting long-term production growth.
To further encourage exploration, the government allocated R2 billion to support junior mining companies and expand activity. These efforts are part of a broader plan to mobilize R2 trillion of investment for the critical minerals sector and unlock an estimated R40 trillion in untapped iron ore resources.
Ghana: gold sector development and industry diversification
Ghana hosts more than 90 active exploration projects, strengthening its position as Africa's leading gold producer while expanding into critical minerals. The country has attracted more than $20 billion in mining and exploration investments in the last two years, reflecting strong investor confidence.
Speaking in Cape Town in February, Lands and Natural Resources Minister Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah emphasized Ghana's diverse resource base, which includes significant reserves of bauxite, manganese, iron ore, cobalt and nickel. “We look forward to further discoveries of critical minerals that will support the global energy transition,” he said.
Namibia: Accelerating licensing to unlock critical minerals
Namibia is reforming exploration licensing to expand its mining sector and strengthen its position as a leading uranium and diamond producer. The country currently holds 588 exclusive prospecting licenses along with a growing pipeline of new applications.
Mining Commissioner Isabella Chirchir confirmed in Cape Town that Namibia is deploying a digital licensing platform to speed up processing, reduce backlogs and improve regulatory efficiency. With over 800 new exploration license applications and over 600 pending environmental clearances, the country is positioning itself to attract increased exploration investment and unlock new mineral discoveries.
Continental Outlook: Strategic Exploration across Africa
Other African markets are also accelerating exploration to advance national mining strategies: Zambia is expanding copper exploration to reach 3 million tonnes annually by 2031. Guinea is making progress in exploration around the $20 billion Simandou iron ore project, the world's largest untapped iron ore reserve, supporting global steel supply chains and the Simandou 2040 economic diversification plan.
Against this backdrop, African Mining Week, taking place in Cape Town on 14-16 October 2026, will highlight exploration opportunities across the continent. The event will include panel discussions, country spotlights and project showcases focused on greenfield exploration, investment opportunities and strategies to unlock Africa's untapped mineral wealth.
African Mining Week serves as the premier platform for exploring the full spectrum of mining opportunities across Africa. The event is held in Cape Town from 12-16 October alongside the African Energy Week: Investing in African Energy 2026 conference. Sponsors, exhibitors and delegates can learn more by contacting sales@energycapitalpower.com.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.