Deploy military power on Africa’s crucial minerals. • Carbon Credits

Russia’s growing influence in African countries and its focus on crucial minerals pose significant challenges for the West. In a historic announcement on March 16 this year, Niger declared the immediate end to its military cooperation with the US. The country annulled a military agreement that allowed US bases on its territory.

Critics argue that Russia’s resource-based approach could worsen existing governance problems, including corruption, environmental degradation and social unrest.

As reported by Oregon News, Niger’s military junta and US officials had a crucial meeting in which the latter expressed concerns about Russia’s growing military involvement in the nation. Niger made the “announcement” immediately after the meeting. In addition, concerns were raised about attempts by the junta to renegotiate mining contracts, with potential implications for energy leverage against Western interests.

Let’s see how Russia’s pursuit of Africa’s crucial minerals could impact the country and its global resource acquisition efforts.

Russian search for African mineral resources

One of the focuses of Russia’s interest is in rare earth elements (REEs), essential components in various high-tech applications, including electronics, renewable energy technologies and defense systems.

Africa has 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, making it an attractive target for resource-hungry countries like Russia.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is emerging as a key target in Russia’s search for minerals given its abundant reserves of cobalt, a crucial element in lithium-ion batteries that power electric cars and smartphones. Russia’s interest in cobalt is in line with its ambitions to gain a stronger position in the fast-growing electric vehicle market.

In addition to cobalt, Russia has its sights set on other crucial minerals such as lithium, vanadium and platinum group metals. All these REEs are indispensable for modern industries dealing with energy storage, batteries and catalysts, etc.

Moreover, Russia had always weighed minerals as currency. They have intervened in Africa to strengthen their control through paramilitary means. By providing security and using intimidation tactics, Russia has secured lucrative mining contracts. Moreover, it provides military support to support the weaker regimes.

Russian tactics are in absolute contrast to those of Western countries. The country operates ruthlessly without regard for human rights, democracy or legal frameworks.

Russia is stepping up its use of private military companies (PMCs) in Africa

According to media reports, Russia has increased its use of private military contractors (PMCs) in recent years to gain a strong foothold on the continent. PMCs are for-profit organizations that offer combat, security and logistics services for hire.

Russian PMCs first arrived in Africa under a contract with the Libyan Cement Company in 2017.

A notable example of Russia’s use of PMCs in Africa is its involvement in the Central African Republic (CAR). In 2018, the Russian government signed a military cooperation agreement with the CAR, which led to the deployment of the Wagner Group, the best-known Russian PMC.

Subsequently, the PMCs rapidly expanded their presence into Sub-Saharan Africa. They are active in Sudan, the Central African Republic (CAR), Madagascar, Mozambique and Libya.

The group trains local armed forces in the use of Russian-supplied weapons, protects Russian-operated gold, uranium and diamond mines and acts as a bodyguard and advisor to the Central African president.

Africa’s share of crucial mineral wealth

A few years ago, the World Bank predicted that a ~500% increase in production of key minerals and metals such as lithium, graphite and cobalt is needed by 2050 to meet global demand for REEs.

With a focus on turnover within Africa, the McKinsey Group has carried out an evaluation. There stands that:

• Africa could generate between them 200 million dollars and create $2 billion in additional annual revenues by 2030 and up to 3.8 million jobs through a competitive, low-carbon manufacturing sector.
• Additionally, minerals could play a crucial role in meeting the enormous housing and transportation needs of African citizens by driving the sustainable development of these sectors.

Africa has 40% of the world’s gold and up to 90% of its chromium and platinum reserves. The continent also has the largest deposits of cobalt, diamonds, platinum and uranium in the world. Zimbabwe has enormous lithium potential, while Zambia’s copper reserves can generate significant revenue.

Despite possessing 30% of the world’s mineral reserves, Africa accounts for less than 10% of global mining exploration expenditure. For example, untapped raw mineral reserves in the DRC are estimated to be worth more than $24 trillion.

Therefore, access to Africa’s abundant resources is imperative to achieving these ambitious goals.

Image: Distribution of Africa’s share of global production of selected critical minerals.

Russian involvement in Africa: understanding strategic motivations

1. Bypass sanctions: Gold and diamonds offer Russia a means to circumvent economic sanctions imposed since the invasion of Ukraine. Africa, which holds 40% of the world’s gold reserves and the largest diamond reserves, serves as a major resource hub.

2. Geopolitical influence: As already explained, Russia has made new military and political alliances to reduce Western influence in African countries. Russia specifically offers “Survival kits for the regime” in exchange for the rights to extract natural resources, thus strengthening its geopolitical position. This serves as a huge vantage point for native Africans.

Moreover, Russia’s involvement in mineral extraction in Africa extends beyond traditional mining activities. The Kremlin has signed strategic partnerships and investment agreements with African countries, leveraging its resource extraction and infrastructure development. These partnerships are often accompanied by political and military agreements, strengthening Russia’s influence in Africa.

A clear example is the findings of the Blood Gold Report which states:

“The Kremlin has made more than $2.5 billion from trading in African gold since Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.”

Does the Russian intervention loosen the West’s grip on Africa?

The intensification of Russia’s scramble for minerals in Africa has raised concerns among Western powers and regional stakeholders. They expect worse consequences from geopolitical dynamics and local governance. Critics argue that Russia’s resource-based approach could worsen existing governance problems, including corruption, environmental degradation and social unrest.

Furthermore, Russia’s growing presence in African mineral extraction poses a potential challenge to Western dominance in commodity markets. It leads to calls for more vigilance and strategic involvement from Western policymakers.

Niger’s recent decision: a threat to the West

Niger, the world’s seventh largest producer of uranium, supplies France with this vital resource for nuclear power generation. In addition to uranium, Niger has abundant natural resources such as coal, gold, iron ore and phosphates.

However, Niger’s recent decision to temporarily halt the issuance of new mining permits underlines the challenges we face in maintaining stable supply chains.

The situation in Niger is an example of broader concerns about Russia’s growing influence in African countries.

It poses a looming threat to the West in securing its crucial mineral supply chains. The withdrawal of US troops from neighboring Chad is further evidence of rising geopolitical tensions.

Jack Watling, land warfare specialist at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) investigated the situation and commented:

“While lithium and gold mines are clearly What is important is that in Niger the Russians are to strive to obtain a similar series of concessions that would deprive France of access to the country’s uranium mines.”

Image: Share of Africa’s critical minerals and their forecasts of global demand

As Russia continues to deepen its involvement in the African mineral sector, the geopolitical implications are likely to reverberate far beyond its borders. Balancing the economic opportunities with the geopolitical risks inherent in this battle for minerals will be of paramount importance for both African countries and the broader international community.