Core Viewpoint - The report highlights Africa's strategic role in the global energy transition, emphasizing the importance of key minerals such as copper, lithium, cobalt, nickel, rare earths, and platinum group metals in the clean energy supply chain, with Africa being a crucial player due to its rich resources and high grades [3][5]. Group 1: Mineral Resource Development - Zimbabwe, historically known for chrome and coal, is now gaining attention for its lithium resources, with local government pushing for the upgrade of the industry chain from raw mineral exports to mandatory processing into lithium sulfate and lithium carbonate [3]. - Africa holds a central position in global energy transition mineral supply, with the Democratic Republic of Congo possessing 54.55% of global cobalt reserves, and South Africa and Zimbabwe accounting for 79.26% of platinum group metal reserves [5]. - The report indicates that despite Africa's rich resource endowment, mineral development faces challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, weak processing capabilities, and policy uncertainties [4][5]. Group 2: Sino-African Cooperation - There is significant complementarity between Africa's resources and China's manufacturing and green technology capabilities, which can enhance mineral cooperation and support sustainable development in Africa [5][6]. - Chinese enterprises are increasingly involved in infrastructure projects in Africa, improving mineral logistics efficiency, and a collaborative model of "resource development + infrastructure + livelihood projects" is suggested for mutual economic and social benefits [6][7]. - The shift from "resource for capital" to "industry co-construction" is noted, with examples of green practices in mining projects, such as solar-powered operations and electric mining vehicles [7][10]. Group 3: Challenges and Solutions - The need for policy continuity and a dynamic balance between resource sovereignty and investor rights is emphasized as crucial for cooperation [8]. - The concept of "zero-carbon mining" aligns with international trends, and Chinese companies are encouraged to adopt green technologies to enhance competitiveness [8][10]. - The establishment of microgrids in mining areas is proposed as a viable solution to address energy challenges, with a focus on solar, storage, and diesel solutions being more commercially feasible than large-scale power sources [9][10].
非洲关键矿产战略地位凸显
中国能源报·2025-10-30 00:45