ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
Konkola Copper Mines
Africa . 11 It mines anthracite coal in South Africa and in Mozambique , and is one of only three companies with mining rights in the coal-rich Moatize region . The company is also involved in coal , copper , and iron ore exploration in Tanzania , where it also has a license to mine copper .
Smaller Indian companies are also operating in Africa . For example , Dharni Sampda , primarily involved in Manganese ore trading , mines in Côte d ’ Ivoire and has exploration permits for metal and bauxite in the country . 12 Furthermore , it has secured exploration permits for tantalite in Sierra Leone and uranium in Nigeria .
In addition to India ’ s private-sector activities and interest in mining opportunities in Africa , in recent years , the country ’ s state-owned firms have begun to emulate independent companies ’ forays into Africa . For example , in 2011 , Coal India Limited ( CIL ) requested five coal exploration blocks from Mozambique in addition to the two already granted . 13 It was reported that if the two blocks proved to be viable , the company intended to invest $ 400 million and employ 3,000 locals . 14 Recently , in September 2017 , CIL identified copper and nickel mines in Africa for its first overseas venture into noncoal minerals .
In 2010 , India ’ s National Mineral Development Corporation ( MNDC ) signed a 50:50 joint venture agreement with South Africa ’ s Kopanoke Matla Investments to
enter into the country ’ s coal and iron-ore mining sectors . 15 In 2011 , an Indian cohort made up of private and state companies - International Coal Ventures , the Steel Authority of India , CIL , National Thermal Power Corporation ( NTPC ), NMDC and Rashtriya Ispat Nigam - bid for the Talbot Group ’ s ( an Australian company ) 59 percent stake in the $ 1 billion Minas de Revuboè coal project in Mozambique . However , Anglo American became the preferred bidder , willing to pay more than half a billion dollars . 16 Recently , in September 2017 , it was reported that three Indian governmentcontrolled firms , the National Aluminum Company ( NALCO ) together with the Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited ( MECL ) and Hindustan Copper Limited ( HCL ) would begin searching for strategic mineral assets in Africa in a joint venture . 17 The identified strategic minerals include , but are not limited to , tin , tungsten , titanium , gallium , lithium , tantalum , cobalt , niobium , selenium and indium .
While India looks to Africa as a partner in securing energy and industrial resources , it simultaneously seeks to contribute to the continent ’ s development and industrialisation – fostering a genuine and mutually beneficial relationship . India has a lot to offer Africa . Its fast-growing economy can provide investment funds , especially with regard to the construction of mining-related infrastructure . In addition , India is bursting
40 • Africa Day Special • 2018