The mining industry in Liberia is undergoing a renaissance. The civil war ended in 2003 and in November 2010, President Ellen Johnson was re-elected and had sworn to continue her inclusive policies and to promote economic reforms for the benefit of the population.
Mining is not new to Liberia. In the 1960's and 1970's, the country was Africa's largest iron ore producer, moving high grade magnetite resources in the Borni Hills using a heavy – duty rail built to the port of Monrovia.

 

The Liberian Government is encouraging investment in mining and is in the process of revising its mining code. At present, licences are subject to mineral concessions covering reconnaissance and exploration, with the latter initially valid for three years over a maximum surface area of 1,000km2 and with an optional two year renewal period. The licence also allows pilot mining during exploration. Minerals development agreements (MDA) are equivalent to mining licences and are valid for 25 years, renewable until reserves are exhausted.

Upstream activity in Africa's oil and gas industry is growing rapidly in both East and West Africa but also in substantial new investments worth billions of dollars, which are expected to be made in oil and gas projects in sub-Saharan Africa, says non-profit organisation South African Oil and Gas Alliance CEO, Warwick Blyth.

 

He highlighted how well positioned South Africa was to function as a hub for oil and gas in sub-Saharan Africa.

 

"Aside from being a strategic location, South Africa has various suppliers that are capable of supporting projects and several attractive propositions for the regional upstream industry, including a diversified regional supplier base, logistics and supply, upstream repair and maintenance, an attractive location for regional head offices, as well as training and skills development," he said.

It has recently been reliably reported that the European Investment Bank (Europe's long-term lending institution) has agreed to "provide US$63.5 million for the Khi Solar One project.

 

This is the first large concentrated solar power project in sub-Saharan Africa and one of the first private sector renewable energy projects in South Africa. European Investment Bank support was formally agreed at the financial close of the project during the official closing ceremony for REBID 1 projects. The Khi Solar One project consists of a 200m high tower and more than 4,500 heliostat moving mirrors to reflect light onto the tower. It is located on a 600 hectare site close to Upington, in South Africa's Northern Cape province".