"China and Africa have long-term friendship and share weal and woe. The two sides are sincere partners on the road to development and natural allies in international affairs. China's development will bring more opportunities to Africa, and Africa's development will also add impetus to China's development . "General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out when he held talks with Senegalese President Sall. Over the years, China and African countries have been living in friendly relations. The proposal of the "Belt and Road" initiative has guided the way for our mining companies. More and more Chinese mining companies have begun to "go out" and seek new development paths. Before going to Africa to carry out mining investment cooperation, do you have a sufficient understanding of the cooperation environment in the investment country, and what is the political, economic, social and cultural environment there? What are the laws and regulations on investment cooperation? Which industries are suitable for investment cooperation? What should be the relevant audit procedures? Today, the editor has sorted out the relevant mining laws and policies of the following investment countries for readers.

South Africa South Africa is rich in mineral resources and is one of the five largest mineral resource countries in the world. There are more than 70 kinds of minerals with proven reserves and mining. Platinum group metals, fluorspar, and chromium reserves rank first in the world, gold, vanadium, manganese, and zirconium rank second, titanium ranks fourth, phosphate mines, uranium, lead, and antimony rank fifth, and coal, zinc, and Ranked eighth, copper ranked ninth. The 2017 South Africa's New Mining Charter (South Africa's New Mining Charter) obliges mining companies to hand over at least 30% of their shares to blacks, and companies that need prospecting rights must hold more than 50% of blacks. Some analysts said that although the mining sector needs to transform, forcing mining companies to weaken property rights may have the opposite effect. Peter Attard Montalto, a research analyst at Nomura, once said that after the introduction of the South African Mining Charter in 2017, investors will have greater uncertainty about their investment in the mining industry. If the South African government rushes through the charter without proper consultation, the charter will become vague and unclear. He also mentioned that the South African government has not yet started equity conversion, but has begun to promote the "anti-investor" policy. The South African Chamber of Mines, which represents mining companies, said it would challenge the charter in court, arguing that there were insufficient discussions leading up to the charter. In 2018, the South African Ministry of Trade and Industry released a new version of the "Black Economic Empowerment Policy (BEE)", which requires that the equity of BEE should reach at least 30% (previously 25%), and the equity of newly applied prospecting rights must exceed 50%. 50% are South Africans, and 75% of the company's purchases must come from BEE companies.

The Congo (Kinshasa) is rich in mineral resources and has a complete range. It is known as the World Geological Museum and is known as the "World Raw Material Warehouse", "Central African Gem" and "Geological Miracle". The mineral resources contained in its territory are as follows: Petroleum, coal, uranium and other energy minerals, among which copper, cobalt, zinc, manganese, tin, tantalum, germanium, tungsten, cadmium, nickel, chromium and other metals and industrial diamond reserves are considerable. In 2018, Congo (Kinshasa) promulgated a new mining law, which raised the royalty tax rate for all minerals. The new mining law mainly affects the tax rate of large mines, and the original 10% mining tax lump sum rate is still used for small mines and hand-picked mines. For large mines, if the mining tax rate of copper and cobalt increases from 2% to 3.5%, referring to the current price of 40 USD/lb, the cost will probably increase by 7,100/ton (excluding value-added tax). For small mines, the new mining law does not adjust the tax rate, and still adopts a single tax system in accordance with the tax law of 2003, and a single tax of 10% of its sales is levied. Strategic metals such as cobalt have increased from 2% to 10%, and a 50% tax is imposed on excess profits. If the windfall profit tax is subsequently levied, assuming that the full cost of large mines is 300,000/ton, this will increase the cost by about 50,000/ton (excluding value-added tax).

zambia

Zambia is rich in copper and cobalt, two major metals. It is the fourth largest copper producer and the second largest cobalt producer in the world. The export value of these two metals accounts for about 70% of Zambia's export earnings. As a major mining country, Zambia's mineral legal system deserves attention. Zambia implements a mining license system, and the act stipulates the following forms of mining licenses: these licenses and licenses include exploration licenses, large-scale mining licenses, exploration licenses, small-scale mining licenses, and Artisan mining rights. At the same time, the bill stipulates two kinds of non-mining mineral rights: mineral processing license and gem sales license. As a special reminder, exploration licenses are generally valid for 2 years, and applicants for large-scale mining licenses should bear the cost and hire relevant agencies to issue environmental assessment impact reports. The license period for small-scale mining licenses does not exceed 10 years, and the license period for Artisan mining is 2 years, and the holder can apply for an extension of 2 years. In 2018, Zambia raised mining taxes to control debts. Mining accounts for more than 70% of Zambia’s foreign exchange earnings. In order to reduce rising debts, the Zambian government raised mining royalties by 1.5% on the basis of 4%-6%. If copper prices More than 7,500 US dollars / ton, the tax rate will be raised to 10%. The mining industry accounts for more than 70% of Zambia's foreign exchange. According to reports, due to the impact of the epidemic, in July, the Zambian mining department severely cracked down on tax avoidance. The Ministry of Mines collected ore samples from major mining areas to prevent mining companies from avoiding taxes by falsely reporting ore grades. This means that the country's mining sector will no longer accept samples submitted by exporters themselves.

Namibia

Namibia has formed rich mineral resources during the complex and diverse geological evolution history, among which the most important minerals are diamonds, uranium, copper, lead, zinc and gold. Namibia requires environmental assessment for mineral exploration and development investments. After the enterprise obtains the exploration license (EPL) in Namibia, it must apply to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Namibia for an exploration environmental protection license as soon as possible. For the specific procedures, after the enterprise submits the environmental protection inquiry form (which can be obtained at the Ministry of Environment and Tourism), the copy of EPL and other relevant application materials to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the environmental protection permit can be obtained after 1-3 months. The application fee is about 100 nano dollars.

Guinea Guinea is located in West Africa and is rich in resources. It is known as a "geological miracle". Among them, the reserves of bauxite are about 41 billion tons, of which the proven reserves are 29 billion tons, accounting for 37%-68% of the world's proven reserves. Ranking first in the world, it also has relatively large reserves of iron ore, gold and diamonds, and its taste is very high. In addition, there are copper, uranium, cobalt, lead, zinc, etc., and oil has been discovered on the coastal continental shelf. On April 9, 2013, the Guinean government approved the amendment to the new Mining Law, aiming to establish a more flexible taxation system, to achieve a win-win situation in mining development, to make Guinea's mining development more attractive and competitive, and to show its importance in economic development. The role of its engine engine. The amendments to the new law include: reducing the resource tax of US$11 to US$13 per ton of raw ore to about US$4; mining corporate income tax from 35% to 30%; customs duties on imported mining equipment from 6% to 5%; export taxes from 6% to 5%. 8% down to 6.5%. In addition, taking into account the investment concerns of mining companies, the maximum area of prospecting licenses has also been adjusted to encourage mining and avoid resource freezing. The area of a single prospecting license for bauxite and iron ore has increased from 350 square kilometers to 500 square kilometers. Other mines increased from 50 square kilometers to 100 square kilometers; the minimum investment in aluminum and iron ore projects was reduced from US$1 billion to US$500 million. At the same time, relevant regulations on hiring local employees and helping local development have been strengthened.

Ghana Ghana is one of the countries with the richest mineral resources in the African continent, especially gold resources, and is known as the "Gold Coast". Mining is the most important economic sector in Ghana, and the gold industry is its pillar. Gold is Ghana's main export mineral product, accounting for about 35% of Ghana's total exports. Despite its small size, Ghana has become the second largest gold producer in Africa after South Africa. In November 2015, the Ghanaian Parliament passed an amendment to the Mining Act. Compared with the Ghana Mining Law promulgated in 2006, the amendment significantly increases the punishment for illegal gold mining. For foreigners engaged in illegal gold mining, mining equipment will be confiscated, a fine of 360,000 to 3.6 million Ghanaian cedis (about 600,000 to 6 million yuan) will be imposed, and a sentence of up to 20 years in prison will be imposed. A fine of up to 204,000 cedis and a prison term of up to 10 years will also be imposed on Ghanaians who employ or cooperate with foreigners in illegal gold mining. Anyone who buys and sells gold illegally without authorization will be fined up to 36,000 cedis and imprisoned for up to 5 years. Anyone involved in the above-mentioned violations will be punished regardless of whether they know the law or not, and whether they violate the law intentionally or unintentionally.

Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe is rich in mineral resources. It is roughly estimated that there are more than 80 kinds of mineral resources, and more than 40 kinds have been basically proven. The main mineral products are diamonds, platinum, chromium, gold, iron, coal, nickel, copper, zinc and lead; industrial mineral products include limestone, phosphate, clay and dolomite. In addition, the newly proven biogas reserves are also extremely rich. According to preliminary exploration estimates, platinum reserves rank second in the world, chromium ore reserves rank second in the world, iron ore reserves are about 38 billion tons, coal reserves are 27 billion tons, and coalbed methane reserves are 500 million cubic meters. In 2001, a diamond mine with rich reserves was discovered in Zimbabwe. The preliminary exploration results show that its diamond reserves rank first in the world. Prospecting for minerals in Zimbabwe requires rights. The right to explore is granted by prospecting licenses and mining licences, which are issued upon payment to the Commissioner of Mining of the appropriate fee prescribed for each such licence. The holder may exercise these rights, or appoint an agent to do so on his behalf. Exploration licenses are valid for two years. The prospector license itself is valid for five years. Amendments to the Indigenous and Economic Empowerment Act 2018 allow foreign entities to own 100% of mining rights, except for platinum and diamonds. In order to encourage mining development, according to relevant regulations, the Zimbabwean government will withdraw the mining rights of diamonds, platinum group metals and chrome ores that have not been mined for a long time.

Cameroon

Cameroon has the reputation of "Little Africa" due to its geological and cultural diversity. Its natural geographical features are quite rich, and there are many types of mineral resources, but the reserves are not very rich. The main mineral deposits are bauxite (with reserves of about 1.1 billion tons. ), iron ore (about 5 billion tons of reserves), rutile (about 3 million tons), and uranium ore (about 20,000 tons). In addition, there are tin, nickel, gold, diamonds, cobalt, and non-metallic minerals such as marble, limestone, and mica. At present, except for diamonds and gold, most of the mineral deposits are still in the stage of exploration or preparation for mining. Cameroon's current mining code was promulgated by the President of the Republic in December 2016. The types of mineral exploration and development ownership stipulated in the Mining Law, among which industrial mining licenses need to be approved by the President of the Republic, non-industrial mining certifications are approved by regional representatives, and other exploration and development licenses are approved by the Ministry of Mines. Under the current Mining Law, at least 15 percent of mineral production must be processed on-site. In addition, Cameroon's "Petroleum Law" stipulates that before engaging in oil development business, it is necessary to apply for a license from the relevant department or sign an oil development contract.文章来源：‍矿业界、泛非出海