**Top 10 Mineral Producing Countries in Africa**
According to a report by the Economist Intelligence Unit, South Africa, Nigeria, Algeria, Angola, and Libya account for over two-thirds of Africa’s mineral wealth. Below are the leading mineral producers on the continent:
1. **South Africa**
– Production: $124,963 million
– Notable minerals: Gold, coal, diamonds, iron ore, and the world’s largest reserves of manganese and platinum group metals.
– Challenges: High crime rates, erratic power supply, and bureaucratic delays in permits.
2. **Nigeria**
– Production: $52,678 million
– Notable minerals: Gold, columbite, wolframite, iron ore, and uranium.
– Industry status: Vast potential with current mining contributing only 0.3% to GDP.
3. **Algeria**
– Production: $38,699 million
– Industry status: Underexplored mineral deposits with potential for hydrogen production.
4. **Angola**
– Production: $32,042 million
– Notable minerals: Diamonds (3rd largest producer in Africa), gold, and oil.
– Exploration status: Only 40% of diamond-rich areas explored.
5. **Libya**
– Production: $27,027 million
– Notable minerals: Clay, cement, salt, limestone, and potash.
6. **Egypt**
– Production: $23,225 million
– Notable minerals: Gold, copper, silver, and zinc found in the Eastern Desert and Sinai Peninsula.
7. **Ghana**
– Production: $14,970 million
– Notable minerals: Rich deposits of gold alongside iron ore, limestone, and salt.
8. **Democratic Republic of Congo**
– Production: $13,688 million
– Notable minerals: Unexplored reserves of gold, diamonds, cobalt, and copper; faces security risks.
9. **Gabon**
– Production: $10,920 million
– Notable minerals: Second largest manganese reserves globally, also produces iron ore and uranium.
10. **Zimbabwe**
– Production: $9,767 million
– Notable minerals: Diverse mining sector with platinum, chrome, gold, and diamonds, especially in Manicaland.