Africa is tremendously endowed with natural resources. These resources can be found in unimaginable amounts in different countries of Africa. There has never been shortage of natural and mineral resources in Africa as the continent is home to most of the world’s natural resources.
This article examines which countries are currently the richest countries in Africa based on natural at their disposal?
Niger (Uranium, coal, cement and gold)
Niger has been a home to the largest underground mine in the world, where one can extract uranium. Niger is one of the richest countries in Uranium composition, it supplies 44% of African uranium all over the world. Lately, Niger has received a lot of benefits from selling their raw minerals on the world’s market, even though uranium still brings them the biggest income. Uranium constitutes 40% of Niger’s exports, which help boost the national economy. Being a naturally radioactive mineral, uranium is useful in producing a nuclear weapon. This is why Korea and China mostly benefit from Niger’s natural resources and trade with them. Apart from this material, Niger is also blessed with coal, gold, and cement.
Namibia (Uranium, diamonds, zinc, lead, sulphur, salt, tantalite, and copper )
Namibia is a strong supplier of uranium. It prides itself as the fourth biggest supplier of Uranium in the world. China’s biggest investment on the African continent is their mining company in Namibia, which specializes in uranium. It is estimated that 15 million pounds of uranium oxide can be produced out of Namibian resources. International companies have invested in the country’s uranium resources for the production of energy.
Democratic Republic of Congo ( copper, cobalt, diamond, oil, coltan, gold, and tin)
DRC has one of the richest deposits of mineral resources. In 2011, about twenty foreign mining enterprises were functioning in the country. In 2010, the government put every mining activities on hold to address illegal mining issues as close 2 dozen foreign mining companies was milking the country of its riches. DRC is also endowed with oil, copper, coltan, cobalt, gold, diamonds, and other natural minerals.
Zambia ( copper, emerald, and cobalt)
Zambia is the biggest producer of copper in Africa producing 77% of African copper. Zambia is also a place where Copperbelt, the mass copper production region, is situated. Also, this country has the biggest underground mine on the whole continent, which has 10,000 workers. Generally, this mine produces about 300,000 tons of copper annually. Zambia is also rich in emerald and cobalt deposits.
South Africa (Diamonds, Gold, Aluminum, Copper, Platinum, Coal )
The mineral industry of South Africa has been the major driving force of its economy. Diamonds and gold made up the largest portion of South Africa’s initial mining interests, but the discovery of many other minerals enabled the country to diversify its investments. South Africa is the world’s largest producer of chrome, manganese, platinum, vanadium, and vermiculite, and the second-largest producer of ilmenite, palladium, rutile, and zirconium. South Africa’s economy has grown considerably in the past couple of decades because of its rich mineral industry, especially the natural resources of precious minerals. Aside gold and diamonds, which South Africa is so popular for, there is a plenty of other minerals like platinum, copper, uranium, vanadium, coal, chromium, iron, zirconium, nickel, and many others.
Mozambique (Aluminum, limestone,marbles, coals, iron, gold, oil, gas and steel)
Mozambique is another mineral rich nation having the second largest aluminium deposit in Africa and accounting for 30% of the country’s export. The annual production of it is approximately 580,000 tons, which provides 32% of Africa’s supply. Apart from aluminum, Mozambique also exports beryllium and tantalum. Mozambican soil is rich in limestone, cement, marbles, gemstones, coals, iron, gold, oil, gas, and steel.
Guinea ( Bauxite)
Guinea is a leader in world aluminium and bauxite production, it accounts for 95% of Africa’s bauxite production. An aluminum ore, bauxite is crucial for aluminum production. Except for Guinea, which produces the natural ingredient for aluminum, all the other countries use the synthetically made product the country continues to hold its critical place in helping with the world aluminum demand.
Tanzania (Rich in tanzanite, gold, diamonds, and silver)
As the name of the country implies, Tanzania is the only supplier in the world of the rare gemstone called tanzanite. Aside that, the country also produces gold – it is the fourth richest country in Africa in terms of gold. Tanzania’s gold mining industry experienced fluctuations for decades until the 90s when it enjoyed influx of some foreign companies who decided to invest in the sector. Presently, they have the standard mines multiplied, to enhance investment and development of their resources. While agriculture is a large contributor to the economy of the country, the gold and tanzanite trade also account for large percentage of mineral exports.
Ghana (Gold, diamond, bauxite, petroleum, salt, manganese and silver)
Ghana’s export trade is significantly bolstered by its mineral riches — 37 percent of total exports are minerals. Currently, Ghana is the second largest producer of gold in Africa, and holds more than 15 percent of the continent’s supply. Gold contributes more than 90 percent of the country’s mineral exports. Ghana has also begun exploring further when it comes to mining its bauxite, manganese, and diamond reserves.
Botswana (Diamonds, copper, coal, soda ash and nickel)
Botswana’s economy highly depends on mining. For over two decades, Botswana has enjoyed success in diamond mining and export making the country a world’s large scale supplier of diamonds. Botswana has huge resources of gem diamonds, which is the main focus of its export.. Even though the main competitor of the country in the sphere of diamonds is Angola, Botswana still holds a major place among the known diamond producers in Africa. It is also a leader in coal production.