COUNTRY IN FOCUS •
Neoproterozoic age , while the east of the country is covered by Quaternary alluvial sediments deposited by the Congo Basin . The coastal basin has Cretaceous to Quaternary marine sediments with Precambrian rocks of the Mayombe Supergroup .
Two major base metal deposits rich in copper , lead and zinc occur in the M ' Fouati region , namely Djenguile and Yanga-Koubenza .
Potash production is a relatively recent development in Congo- Brazzaville with the country boasting significant potash deposits , which are used in fertilizers . Kore Potash owns a 97 % stake in the Kola and DX ( Dougou Extension ) potash ( sylvinite ) projects in the Sintoukola Basin , while privately-owned Kanga Potash has been granted a mining and production licence for the Kanga potash project .
The country also has considerable resources of sedimentary phosphates that form a string of outcrops extending over 50km along the coast , with known larger deposits that occur at Holle and at Sintou Kola , about 50km away from Pointe Noire . Phosphate nodules of Neoproterozoic age have been found near Comba .
Congo-Brazzaville is a producer of diamonds , although production is not as significant as in some other African countries . The diamond deposits are known to occur as placers in the Bikosi conglomerates and are of probable Lower Cretaceous age .
Gold production takes place on a relatively small-scale in the country , although the Archean Caillu Massif yields numerous deposits of gold , which are related to the amphibolites . In 2022 , Tantalex Lithium Resources reported that heavy liquid separation ( HLS ) metallurgical test work on a 331kg composite bulk sample from the K-dump at its Manono reclamation project revealed more than 6 % lithium oxide spodumene .
The country ’ s iron ore projects have proven to be difficult . There are two projects currently , Mbalam-Nabeba Iron Ore Project – a largescale project involving a railway and a port to export iron ore from the Republic of the Congo to Gabon – and the Zanaga Iron Ore Project – still in early stages of development .
Congo-Brazzaville ' s mining sector offers significant opportunities for growth and development and the country ' s rich mineral resources , coupled with its strategic location , make it an attractive destination for foreign investment . However , addressing the challenges of environmental sustainability and corruption and governance will be essential to realising the full potential of the mining sector . •
Dr Nicolaas C Steenkamp is an independent consultant , specialising in geological , geotechnical and geometallurgical projects and mining project management . He has over two decades of industry experience with global exposure . ncs . contract @ gmail . com
Supplied by Dr Nicolaas C Steenkamp www . africanmining . co . za African Mining Publication African Mining African Mining • February 2025 • 17