Largest Mining Companies Operating in Africa (2026)

The largest mining company operating in Africa by revenue is Glencore, which generated approximately $8.5 billion in EBIT from its African copper and cobalt operations in 2024. Other dominant players include Barrick Gold, Newmont, AngloGold Ashanti, Sibanye-Stillwater, Anglo American, Gold Fields, Ivanhoe Mines, and First Quantum Minerals. Africa is home to some of the world's most significant mining operations across gold, copper, cobalt, platinum group metals, diamonds, manganese, and phosphate.

This article profiles the 20 largest mining companies operating in Africa, ranked by African revenue, production value, or strategic significance in the continent's mining sector. All companies are listed in the Africa Mining Network directory →

How Companies Are Ranked

Companies are assessed based on: annual revenue or EBIT attributable to African operations; total production value from African assets; number of producing mines in Africa; and strategic importance to the continent's mining sector. Where revenue data is not separately disclosed for Africa, production value is used as a proxy.

Tier 1 — Global Majors with Primary Africa Exposure

1. Glencore (LSE: GLEN)

Headquarters: Baar, Switzerland Africa revenue: ~$8–10 billion EBIT equivalent (copper + cobalt, 2024) Primary African commodities: Copper, cobalt, coal Key African assets: Katanga / KCC (DRC, copper-cobalt), Mopani (Zambia, copper), South Africa coal operations, Mutanda (DRC) Countries: DRC, Zambia, South Africa

Glencore is arguably the most powerful single entity in African mining. Through its Katanga operations (KCC) in the DRC, it is the world's largest cobalt producer and one of the DRC's largest copper producers. Glencore's trading division simultaneously dominates global cobalt marketing — meaning it controls both mine supply and the trading of the product globally. In Africa, Glencore's combined copper-cobalt operations in the DRC and Zambia (KCC + Mopani) make it the continent's single largest mining revenue generator.

2. Anglo American (JSE/LSE: AGL)

Headquarters: London, UK / Johannesburg, South Africa Africa revenue: ~$7–9 billion (PGMs + diamonds + iron ore, 2024) Primary African commodities: Platinum group metals, diamonds, iron ore, manganese Key African assets: Anglo American Platinum (Mogalakwena, Amandelbult), De Beers (Jwaneng, Venetia), Kumba Iron Ore (Sishen, Kolomela), Samancor (manganese) Countries: South Africa, Botswana, Namibia

Anglo American was founded in South Africa in 1917 and remains one of the most deeply embedded mining companies in African history. Through its subsidiaries — Anglo American Platinum (the world's largest platinum producer), De Beers (the world's largest diamond producer by value), and Kumba Iron Ore — Anglo maintains a dominant position across three of Africa's most important mining commodities. Anglo American faced a hostile takeover bid from BHP in 2024, which it successfully resisted, before announcing a major restructuring that included a planned De Beers partial IPO.

3. Sibanye-Stillwater (JSE/NYSE: SSW)

Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa Africa revenue: ~$5–7 billion (PGMs + gold, 2024) Primary African commodities: Platinum, palladium, rhodium, gold Key African assets: Marikana (Rustenburg PGM), Driefontein, Kloof, Beatrix (gold), Mimosa (Zimbabwe PGMs) Countries: South Africa, Zimbabwe

Sibanye-Stillwater is the world's largest primary platinum and palladium producer and one of South Africa's largest private sector employers, with over 80,000 employees globally. The company transformed from a pure South African gold miner (formed from Gold Fields' South African assets in 2013) into a global PGM major through a series of acquisitions including Stillwater Mining (USA), Lonmin (Marikana), and Mimosa (Zimbabwe). Sibanye has faced significant challenges in 2024–2025, including depressed PGM prices due to weak automotive demand and palladium substitution by platinum in autocatalysts — though PGM basket prices recovered in early 2026.

4. Barrick Gold (TSX/NYSE: ABX)

Headquarters: Toronto, Canada Africa revenue: ~$4–5 billion (gold, 2024) Primary African commodities: Gold Key African assets: Kibali (DRC, 45%), Loulo-Gounkoto (Mali, 80%), North Mara (Tanzania, 84%), Bulyanhulu + Buzwagi (Tanzania) Countries: DRC, Mali, Tanzania

Barrick Gold is the world's second-largest gold mining company and one of the most significant operators in African gold. Its African portfolio spans three countries and includes Kibali — Africa's largest gold mine (750,000 oz/year, co-operated with AngloGold Ashanti) — and Loulo-Gounkoto in Mali, one of Barrick's highest-margin operations globally. Barrick has faced political challenges in Mali under the military junta and in Tanzania (resolved through a landmark $300 million government settlement in 2023 that restructured the North Mara and Bulyanhulu operations into a joint venture with the government). CEO: Mark Bristow.

5. Newmont Corporation (NYSE: NEM)

Headquarters: Denver, USA Africa revenue: ~$3–4 billion (gold, 2024) Primary African commodities: Gold Key African assets: Ahafo Complex (Ghana, 100%), Akyem (Ghana, 100%) Countries: Ghana

Newmont is the world's largest gold mining company by production and revenue. In Africa, its operations are concentrated in Ghana, where the Ahafo Complex (following the Q1 2026 commissioning of the Ahafo South expansion) is targeting 700,000–800,000 oz/year — making it the largest single gold complex in West Africa. Newmont acquired Goldcorp in 2019 and subsequently Newcrest Mining in 2023, the latter adding assets in Australia and PNG but solidifying Newmont's overall #1 position globally. Ghana accounts for approximately 15–18% of Newmont's total global production.

6. Ivanhoe Mines (TSX/NYSE: IVN)

Headquarters: Vancouver, Canada Africa revenue: ~$3–4 billion production value (2024) Primary African commodities: Copper, zinc, platinum, nickel Key African assets: Kamoa-Kakula (DRC, 39.6%), Kipushi (DRC, 62%), Platreef (South Africa, 64%) Countries: DRC, South Africa

Ivanhoe Mines is the most transformative mining company in Africa over the past decade. Under founder Robert Friedland and CEO Marna Cloete, Ivanhoe has developed three world-class projects in the DRC and South Africa simultaneously. Kamoa-Kakula (the world's highest-grade major copper mine) produced 437,000 tonnes in 2024 and is targeting 600,000+ tonnes per year. Kipushi (DRC) is the world's highest-grade zinc mine — recommissioned in 2024 after decades of care and maintenance. Platreef (Limpopo, South Africa) is a large-scale palladium-platinum-gold-nickel deposit under development. No other mining company has added as much value to African mining over the past 10 years as Ivanhoe.

Tier 2 — Major African Mining Companies

7. AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE/JSE: AU)

Headquarters: Denver, USA (relocated from Johannesburg 2023) Primary African commodities: Gold Key African assets: Kibali (DRC, 45%), Obuasi (Ghana, 86%), Iduapriem (Ghana), Geita (Tanzania) Countries: DRC, Ghana, Tanzania, Guinea

AngloGold Ashanti is one of the world's top three gold producers and the most geographically diversified African gold miner. Its African portfolio spans four countries and includes co-ownership of Kibali (with Barrick), the historic Obuasi mine (Ghana), and the Geita mine (Tanzania — approximately 500,000 oz/year). AngloGold Ashanti relocated its primary listing from Johannesburg to New York in 2023, reflecting its increasingly global shareholder base.

8. Gold Fields (JSE/NYSE: GFI)

Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa Primary African commodities: Gold Key African assets: Tarkwa (Ghana, 90%), Damang (Ghana, 90%), South Deep (South Africa) Countries: Ghana, South Africa

Gold Fields is one of South Africa's pre-eminent gold mining companies, with its largest African operations in Ghana (Tarkwa and Damang, combined approximately 600,000 oz/year) and a long-term strategic asset in South Deep — the world's deepest gold mine, targeting 500,000 oz/year by 2026.

9. First Quantum Minerals (TSX: FM)

Headquarters: Vancouver, Canada Primary African commodities: Copper, gold, nickel Key African assets: Kansanshi (Zambia, 80%), Sentinel (Zambia, 100%), Guelb Moghrein (Mauritania, 100%) Countries: Zambia, Mauritania

First Quantum Minerals built its reputation almost entirely in Africa, starting with turnaround projects in the DRC and Zambia in the early 2000s. Today Kansanshi (Africa's largest copper mine in Zambia, ~230,000 t/yr) and Sentinel (~200,000 t/yr) make it Zambia's dominant copper producer. First Quantum's financial position was severely stressed by the 2019 Panama closure of Cobre Panama (its largest asset), which affected its ability to invest in African expansion, but the Zambian operations remained consistently profitable.

10. CMOC Group (HKEX: 3993)

Headquarters: Beijing, China Primary African commodities: Cobalt, copper Key African assets: Tenke Fungurume (DRC, 80%), Kisanfu (DRC) Countries: DRC

CMOC became one of the most important mining companies in Africa almost overnight through its 2016 acquisition of Tenke Fungurume — the world's second-largest cobalt mine — from Freeport-McMoRan. CMOC's Phase 3 expansion at TFM (completed 2022–2023) significantly increased cobalt output and contributed directly to the global cobalt price collapse of 2022–2025. CMOC is now the world's largest cobalt producer by mine output, surpassing Glencore in some quarters.

11. Anglo American Platinum / Amplats (JSE: AMS)

Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa Primary African commodities: Platinum, palladium, rhodium Key African assets: Mogalakwena (world's largest open-pit PGM mine), Amandelbult, Unki (Zimbabwe) Countries: South Africa, Zimbabwe

Amplats is the world's largest primary platinum producer, producing approximately 3.5–4 million platinum ounces per year. Mogalakwena in Limpopo Province is a bulk, low-grade, open-pit mine that is Amplats' most strategic asset — with a resource base supporting 50+ years of production.

12. Endeavour Mining (TSX/LSE: EDV)

Headquarters: London, UK Primary African commodities: Gold Key African assets: Ity (Côte d'Ivoire), Houndé (Burkina Faso), Sabodala-Massawa (Senegal), Lafigué (Côte d'Ivoire, commissioning 2024) Countries: Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, Senegal

Endeavour Mining is Africa's largest primary gold producer by number of operating mines, and the dominant gold miner in Francophone West Africa. It has built its portfolio through acquisitions — most notably Semafo (2020) and Teranga Gold (2021) — and organic development. Endeavour's Burkina Faso operations have been complicated by the post-coup political environment, including the nationalisation of its Wahgnion and Boungou mines.

13. B2Gold (TSX/NYSE: BTG)

Headquarters: Vancouver, Canada Primary African commodities: Gold Key African assets: Fekola (Mali, 80%), Otjikoto (Namibia, 100%) Countries: Mali, Namibia

B2Gold operates the Fekola mine in Mali — one of West Africa's largest gold mines at ~550,000–600,000 oz/year — alongside the Otjikoto mine in Namibia. The company has navigated Mali's challenging post-coup political environment while maintaining production. B2Gold is developing the Fekola Regional satellite pits to extend mine life beyond 2030.

14. Kinross Gold (TSX/NYSE: K)

Headquarters: Toronto, Canada Primary African commodities: Gold Key African assets: Tasiast (Mauritania, 100%) Countries: Mauritania

Kinross's Tasiast mine in Mauritania (~620,000 oz/year) is one of Africa's most productive and profitable gold operations. Following the completion of the Phase 2 expansion in 2023, Tasiast operates at one of the lowest all-in sustaining costs of any gold mine in Africa. Kinross paid approximately $1.5 billion to the Mauritanian government in taxes and royalties in 2024.

15. OCP Group

Headquarters: Casablanca, Morocco Primary African commodities: Phosphate, phosphoric acid, fertilisers Key African assets: Khouribga, Ben Guerir, Youssoufia, Boucraâ (Western Sahara) phosphate mines Countries: Morocco

OCP Group is the world's largest phosphate producer and exporter, generating approximately $9.76 billion in revenue in 2024. It is not a conventional mining company in the gold/copper sense, but by revenue it is one of Africa's largest mining enterprises. OCP's phosphate rock reserves in Morocco and Western Sahara represent 70–75% of the world's known phosphate reserves — making OCP one of the most strategically important companies in global food supply. OCP is wholly state-owned by the Kingdom of Morocco.

Tier 3 — Significant Mid-Tier and Specialist Operators

16. Impala Platinum / Implats (JSE: IMP)

South Africa and Zimbabwe PGMs. Key assets: Rustenburg, Marula (SA), Zimplats (Zimbabwe), Mimosa (Zimbabwe). One of the world's top three platinum producers.

17. Perseus Mining (ASX/TSX: PRU)

West Africa gold specialist. Key assets: Edikan (Ghana), Sissingué (Côte d'Ivoire), Yaouré (Côte d'Ivoire). ~500,000 oz/year total. One of the most consistent performers in West African gold.

18. CNMC / NFC Africa Mining (HKEX: 1258)

China's largest copper miner in Africa. Key assets: Chambishi (Zambia), Luanshya (Zambia), Deziwa (DRC). 20+ years in Africa.

19. Harmony Gold (JSE/NYSE: HAR)

South Africa's largest gold miner by number of operations, also present in Papua New Guinea. Key assets: Mponeng (world's deepest gold mine), Hidden Valley. South Africa focus.

20. Lucara Diamond (TSX: LUC)

Operates the Karowe Diamond Mine in Botswana — home to some of the world's largest rough diamonds, including the 1,758-carat Sewelô and the 1,109-carat Lesedi La Rona. Pioneered the Clara digital diamond sales platform.

The Rise of Chinese Mining Companies in Africa

No overview of African mining's largest players is complete without addressing Chinese companies. Over the past two decades, Chinese state-owned enterprises and private companies have invested over $30 billion in African mining, building entrenched positions in cobalt (DRC), copper (DRC, Zambia), lithium (Zimbabwe, Mali, DRC), and manganese (South Africa).

The most significant Chinese mining companies in Africa include:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the largest mining company in Africa? By African revenue and strategic importance, Glencore is the largest mining company in Africa, with approximately $8–10 billion in EBIT generated from its DRC copper-cobalt and South African coal operations in 2024.

Which mining company operates the most mines in Africa? Endeavour Mining operates the most producing gold mines in Africa, with assets in Côte d'Ivoire, Burkina Faso, and Senegal. AngloGold Ashanti is the most geographically spread African miner by country count.

Are Chinese companies the biggest miners in Africa? Chinese companies are the largest by cobalt and lithium production in Africa. CMOC Group is the world's largest cobalt producer and operates Africa's second-largest cobalt mine. However, by total revenue, Western companies (Glencore, Anglo American, Barrick, Newmont) remain larger overall.

Which African mining companies are listed on the stock exchange? Most major African mining companies are listed on the JSE (Johannesburg), TSX/TSX-V (Toronto), ASX (Australia), NYSE/NASDAQ (USA), or LSE/AIM (London). The JSE is home to South African majors including Sibanye-Stillwater, Anglo American Platinum, Gold Fields, and Harmony. TSX/ASX list most junior and mid-tier Africa-focused explorers.

Sources: Company annual reports 2024 (Glencore, Anglo American, Sibanye-Stillwater, Barrick Gold, Newmont, Ivanhoe Mines, AngloGold Ashanti, Gold Fields, First Quantum Minerals, CMOC Group, Endeavour Mining, B2Gold, Kinross Gold, OCP Group, Impala Platinum, Perseus Mining); USGS Minerals Yearbook 2024; Bloomberg Mining Sector Analysis 2025.

Last updated: May 2026. Africa Mining Network updates company profiles and rankings annually.