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Regulation of Mining in Africa

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Mining and the Law in Africa

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the regulation of the mining sector in Africa . The chapter starts by exploring the various mining policies in Africa . It further discusses the evolution of mining laws with a view of revealing who were the main beneficiaries of these laws; why the laws were never effective to govern the African mining sector and the nationalization that followed. The chapter further analyses the legal and regulatory reforms in the selected African countries specifically looking at mining licences and mining rights. The chapter concludes by highlighting the weaknesses in the current mining laws and recommendations to ensure that the laws are effective.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Cambridge Dictionary, can be accessed at, https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/policy, last visited on 30 July 2019.

  2. 2.

    Tiess, G., 2011. General and International Mineral Policy: Focus: Europe. Springer Wien, New York, p. 140.

  3. 3.

    Tiess, G., 2011. General and International Mineral Policy: Focus: Europe. Springer Wien, New York.

  4. 4.

    Mining and Mineral Policy for Uganda , 2018.

  5. 5.

    Ibid.

  6. 6.

    Ibid.

  7. 7.

    Article 244 of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda (as amended).

  8. 8.

    The Tanzanian Mineral Policy of 2009 replaced that of 1997.

  9. 9.

    Magai, P.S., and Márquez-Velázquez, A., 2011. Tanzania’s Mining Sector and Its Implications for the Country’s Development. DAAD Partnership, retrieved 21 January, p. 2018.

  10. 10.

    Lugoe, F., 2012. Governance in Mining Areas in Tanzania with Special Reference to Land Issues (No. 41). ESRF Discussion Paper.

  11. 11.

    With foreign trade aspects, importing countries guarantee the supply of minerals through international mining investments and participation in foreign mining projects. On the other hand, domestic economic aspects are intended to ensure independence from imports and as such importing countries try to strengthen and improve and coordinate the domestic raw materials producers and consumers.

  12. 12.

    Maliganya, W., and Bengesi, K.M., 2018. Policy Enabling Environment of Mining Sector in Tanzania : A Review of Opportunities and Challenges.

  13. 13.

    For instance, in Uganda , reference is made to the National Environment Act of 1995 (Cap 15).

  14. 14.

    The Income Tax Act, CAP 340 (as amended), Laws of Uganda.

  15. 15.

    The Land Act, CAP 227 (as amended), Laws of Uganda.

  16. 16.

    See for instance Article 2(1) of the 1995 Constitution of Uganda (as amended). The article provides that the Constitution is the supreme law of Uganda.

  17. 17.

    Article 244 of the 1999 Constitution of Uganda (as amended), Laws of Uganda.

  18. 18.

    Article 1 of the Constitution of Uganda, 1995 (as amended).

  19. 19.

    Article 2 of the Constitution of Uganda, 1995 (as amended).

  20. 20.

    This principle is well stipulated in Article 244 of the Constitution of Uganda, 1995 (as amended).

  21. 21.

    In Ethiopia , this is stipulated under Article 5 (1) of Proclamation no. 678/2010 Promoting Sustainable Development of Mineral Resources. In Lesotho , this is stipulated in Section 3 of the Mines and Minerals Act, 2005.

  22. 22.

    In Nigeria, this stipulated under Section 1 (1) of the Mines and Minerals Act, 2007. In Tanzania , this is provided for under Section 5 of the Mining Act, 2010.

  23. 23.

    General Assembly Resolution 523 (VI) of 12 January 1952—Integrated economic development as—Integrated economic development and agreements commercial agreements. This was passed during the Sixth Session.

  24. 24.

    UN General Assembly, Right to Exploit Freely Natural Wealth and Resources, 21 December 1952, A/RES/626, can be accessed at 27 August 2019, https://www.refworld.org/docid/3b00f0853e.html.

  25. 25.

    General Assembly Resolution 626 (VII) of 21 December 1952—Right to Exploit Freely Natural Wealth and Resources. This was passed during the Seventh Session.

  26. 26.

    Resolution 1314 (XIII) of the Commission on Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources of 12 December 1958.

  27. 27.

    General Assembly Resolution 1803 (XVII) of 14 December 1962—Permanent Sovereignty over Natural Resources.

  28. 28.

    Resolution 2200 A (XXI) of 16 December 1966—International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

  29. 29.

    OPEC Resolution XVI.90 of 24 June 1968—Declaratory Statement of Petroleum Policy in Member Countries.

  30. 30.

    Stockholm Declaration of 1972.

  31. 31.

    General Assembly Resolution 3281 (XXIX) of 12 December 1974—Charter of Economic Rights and Duties of States.

  32. 32.

    Communication no. 155-96 of 13 October 2001: Social and Economic Rights Action Centre (SERAC) and Centre for Economic and Social Rights (CESR) v Nigeria.

  33. 33.

    World Bank, Ghana Overview, can be accessed at, https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/ghana/overview, last visited on 6 August 2019.

  34. 34.

    World Bank, Ghana Overview, can be accessed at, https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/ghana/overview, last visited on 6 August 2019.

  35. 35.

    CEIC, Ghana Gold Production, can be accessed at, https://www.ceicdata.com/en/indicator/ghana/gold-production, last visited on 6 August 2019.

  36. 36.

    Gold reserves are country’s gold assets held or controlled by the central bank.

  37. 37.

    Trading Economics: Ghana Gold Reserves, can be accessed at, https://tradingeconomics.com/ghana/gold-reserves, last visited on 6 August 2019.

  38. 38.

    GHEITI, GHEITI Mining Sector Report for 2015 (2018), can be accessed at, https://eiti.org/sites/default/files/documents/2015_gheiti_mining_report.pdf.

  39. 39.

    GHEITI, GHEITI Mining Sector Report for 2015 (2018), can be accessed at, https://eiti.org/sites/default/files/documents/2015_gheiti_mining_report.pdf.

  40. 40.

    Bauxite has been mined in Ghana since the 1940s. Currently, Chinese corporations are the most prominent in the industry through Bonsai Minerals Group’s ownership of Ghana Bauxite Company. Ghana has large deposits of good quality bauxite in the western, eastern and Ashanti region.

  41. 41.

    Most manganese mining takes place in the vicinity of Takoradi, from where the mineral is exported.

  42. 42.

    GHEITI, GHEITI Mining Sector Report for 2015 (2018), can be accessed at, https://eiti.org/sites/default/files/documents/2015_gheiti_mining_report.pdf.

  43. 43.

    Some of the mining companies operating in Ghana include: Abore Mining Company Ltd.; African Gemo Resources Ltd.; African Gold Group Inc.; Akoko Gold Ventures; Akoto Stone Quarry Co. Ltd.; Akroma Gold Company Ltd.; All Stars Associates Ltd.; AngloGold Ashanti Ltd.; Barnex (Prestea) Ltd.; Birim Goldfield Inc.; Cardero Ghana Ltd.; Golden Star Wassa Ltd.; Gyampo Mining Co. Ltd.; Haber Mining Ghana Ltd.; Leo Shield Exploration Ghana Ltd.; Newmont Ghana Gold Ltd.; Nkroful Mining Ltd.; Pioneer Gold Fields Ltd.; Resolute Mining Ltd.; Satellite Gold Fields Ltd.; African Mining Services (Ghana ) Pty Ltd.; Barnex (Prestea) Ltd.; African Stellar (West Africa) Ltd.

  44. 44.

    Thomas Akabzaa: Mining Legislation and Net Returns from Mining in Ghana . In Campbell, B.K. ed., 2004. Regulating Mining in Africa : For Whose Benefit? (Vol. 26). Nordic Africa Institute.

  45. 45.

    Thomas Akabzaa: Mining Legislation and Net Returns from Mining in Ghana . In Campbell, B.K. ed., 2004. Regulating Mining in Africa : For Whose Benefit? (Vol. 26). Nordic Africa Institute, p. 25. Quoting Aryee, B.N.A., 2001. Ghana’s Mining Sector: Its Constitution to the National Economy. Resources Policy, 27, pp. 61–75.

  46. 46.

    Campbell, B.K. ed., 2004. Regulating Mining in Africa : For Whose Benefit? (Vol. 26). Nordic Africa Institute, p. 13.

  47. 47.

    Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (GHEITI), can be accessed at, https://eiti.org/ghana, last updated on 23 August 2019.

  48. 48.

    Campbell, B.K. ed., 2004. Regulating Mining in Africa : For Whose Benefit? (Vol. 26). Nordic Africa Institute.

  49. 49.

    EITI, Mali , https://eiti.org/mali, last updated on 16 August 2019.

  50. 50.

    Pascale Hatcher, Mali : Rewriting the Mining Code or Redefining the Role of the State? In Campbell, B.K. ed., 2004. Regulating Mining in Africa : For Whose Benefit? (Vol. 26). Nordic Africa Institute, p. 40.

  51. 51.

    Diamonds in Mali are found in the form of both alluvial deposits and from kimberlite pipes. The Kenieba region has some of the nation’s well-known diamond deposits.

  52. 52.

    EITI, Mali, https://eiti.org/mali, last updated on 16 August 2019.

  53. 53.

    Before independence, Mali like all the French colonies relied on the 1899 government order which was imposed by the metropolitan France. This was replaced by the 1963 Mining Code which came into force after Mali was granted independence. This was amended in 1991 and further in 1999 granting more incentives to foreign investors.

  54. 54.

    Pascale Hatcher, Mali : Rewriting the Mining Code or Redefining the Role of the State? In Campbell, B.K. ed., Regulating Mining in Africa : For Whose Benefit? p. 48.

  55. 55.

    Pascale Hatcher, Mali : Rewriting the Mining Code or Redefining the Role of the State? In Campbell, B.K. ed., Regulating Mining in Africa : For Whose Benefit? p. 40.

  56. 56.

    EITI, Mali, https://eiti.org/mali, last updated on 16 August 2019.

  57. 57.

    In Burkina Faso, The Mining Code was adopted by the National Transition Council on 26 June 2015.

  58. 58.

    Several legislations were enacted in Tanzania including the Natural Wealth and Resources (Review and Re-negotiation of Unconscionable Terms) Act, 2017; the Natural Wealth and Resources (Permanent Sovereignty) Act, 2017 and many others.

  59. 59.

    The Mining Act, Cap 123 (Act No. 14 of 2010), Laws of Tanzania .

  60. 60.

    This is provided for under the Natural Wealth and Resources Contracts (Review and Re-negotiation of Unconscionable Terms) Act 2017.

  61. 61.

    This is provided for under the Natural Wealth and Resources (Permanent Sovereignty) Act 2017.

  62. 62.

    Section 5 of the Mining Act of Uganda, 2003, Laws of Uganda.

  63. 63.

    Uganda Mining Regulations , 2004.

  64. 64.

    For a full discussion on regionalism in Africa , see Nalule, V.R., 2018. Energy Poverty and Access Challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa: The Role of Regionalism. Springer.

References

Laws and International Instruments

  • Vienna Convention on Succession of States in respect of Treaties, 1974.

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  • The African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights of 1981.

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  • Resolution 2200 A (XXI) of 16 December 1966—International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights.

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  • OPEC Resolution XVI.90 of 24 June 1968—Declaratory Statement of Petroleum Policy in Member Countries.

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  1. CEPMLP, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK

    Victoria R. Nalule

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Nalule, V.R. (2020). Regulation of Mining in Africa. In: Mining and the Law in Africa. Palgrave Pivot, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33008-8_2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-33008-8_2

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