Baowu Secures Simandou Operatorship as China Deepens Control of African Mining Assets

China continues to consolidate its position across Africa’s mining sector, securing controlling stakes and operational control in strategically significant projects. Aligned with Beijing’s long-term industrial and infrastructure ambitions under the Belt and Road Initiative, these investments strengthen China’s access to critical minerals while injecting capital, technology and infrastructure into African resource economies.

Guinea: Baowu Takes Operational Control of Simandou

In February 2025, China Baowu Steel Group increased its stake in the Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS) to 51%, securing operational control of Blocks 1 and 2 of Guinea’s Simandou iron ore project — the world’s largest known undeveloped iron ore deposit.

With anticipated output of up to 120 million metric tons of high-grade iron ore annually, Simandou represents a cornerstone of China’s long-term steel supply strategy. For Guinea, the transaction brings access to large-scale capital investment, mining expertise and supporting infrastructure, strengthening its position as a global iron ore supplier while enabling downstream value-chain development.

Zambia: JCHX Expands Copper Footprint

In Zambia, Africa’s second-largest copper producer, Chinese mining contractor JCHX Mining Management has acquired an 80% controlling stake in the Lubambe Copper Mine. The acquisition aligns with Zambia’s national objective to raise copper production to 3.1 million tons by 2031.

A multi-year $300 million expansion programme has positioned Lubambe as a key contributor to Zambia’s mining sector, supporting an estimated 8% increase in national copper output in 2025.

Malawi: Heavy Mineral Sands and Rare Earths

Chinese investors Shandong and Hainan have secured a 51% stake in Malawi’s Mawei Heavy Mineral Sands Project, gaining exposure to one of the country’s most significant emerging rare earth developments. With global rare earth demand projected to more than triple by 2035, the project’s estimated 350-million-ton mineral reserve places Malawi on the global critical minerals map.

Expected to generate more than $1 billion in revenue, the project supports Malawi’s Agriculture, Tourism and Mining strategy, which targets increasing mining’s contribution to GDP to 5%.

DRC: CMOC Strengthens Battery Metals Supply

CMOC Group continues to dominate copper and cobalt production in the Democratic Republic of Congo — the world’s largest cobalt producer. The company holds an 80% stake in the Tenke Fungurume copper-cobalt mine and a 71.25% interest in the Kisanfu Mine, reinforcing China’s leadership in global battery metals supply chains.

Zimbabwe: Chinese Firms Dominate Lithium

Chinese companies have also entrenched their dominance in Zimbabwe’s lithium sector. Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt fully owns the Arcadia Mine, while Sinomine Resource Group controls Bikita Lithium. Chengxin Lithium Group holds a majority stake in the Sabi Mine, and China Natural Resources is acquiring control of the Williams Minerals lithium project.

As Africa’s largest lithium producer, Zimbabwe is seeking to expand exports while accelerating local processing. Chinese operators are well-positioned to drive these objectives through capital investment and processing expertise.

Rising Global Competition

China’s expanding footprint across Africa highlights its strategic focus on securing long-term mineral supply. At the same time, global competitors are intensifying engagement. The United States has extended the African Growth and Opportunity Act for another year, Canada has unveiled a new Africa Strategy to support its $37 billion in African mining assets, and Australia continues to expand exploration and production activity across the continent. European nations are also re-engaging, with France announcing a renewed Africa mining and infrastructure push in early 2026.

As competition for Africa’s mineral wealth accelerates, China’s early-mover advantage and consolidated control of key assets raise critical questions about whether rival economies can match the pace and scale of Beijing’s resource strategy.