What to check before investing in African mining

Mining licenses in most African jurisdictions are held separately from land rights. A company can hold a valid exploration or mining license from the relevant authority, Ghana's Minerals Commission, Nigeria's Mining Cadastre Office, or South Africa's Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, and still need a separate surface rights agreement with the landowner or community before starting work. Skipping that second step is one of the more common reasons projects stall after the license is already approved.

Ownership rules also vary by mineral and by country rather than by a single national standard. Some jurisdictions cap foreign ownership for certain mineral categories; others require a local partner only above a defined production threshold. The starter guide walks through what to ask a target-country lawyer or licensing authority before signing anything, and what a foreign investor should expect to verify independently rather than take on the seller's word.

That verification step, confirming a license is real, active, and attached to the land it claims to cover, is what our market entry advisory service handles directly, with a written report you can hand to your legal team or your board. Book a market entry consultation.