West Africa: An Investment Opportunity to Take Advantage Of

The investment opportunity Africa offers has not fundamentally changed because of the World Cup, but rather the sporting tournament has opened people’s eyes to the potential the continent offers in terms of investment and business opportunities. Never is this more so the case than with the African nation of Burkina Faso, where an active program from the government, encouraging mining and exploration, has led to an influx of junior resource companies, while the country itself stands ready for a mining surge.
With this, it has recently begun to inaugurate its first industrial scale gold mining operations, and under pressure from local operators, plans to continue to change its policies towards the industry in coming years. Between 2008 and 2009 for example, the number of exploration licenses awarded by the government rose by 11%, climbing from 537 to 597.read more...

Japan Targets African, Bolivian Mine Projects Under Revised Law

apan, the world’s second-largest economy, may invest in African and Bolivian mineral projects after a revised law to help companies acquire overseas mining rights takes effect from July 1.

State-owned Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp., or JOGMEC, said it can invest as much as 27.5 billion yen ($300 million) this fiscal year started April 1 in mining and minerals in collaboration with private companies and provide guarantees to fund projects. Under the current law, the agency can invest only in metal and mineral exploration projects. read more