Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming Africa’s mining sector, helping to streamline operations, boost productivity, and meet ambitious production targets set by governments across the continent.
As the industry embraces digital transformation, the upcoming African Mining Week (AMW) will spotlight AI’s pivotal role in optimizing exploration, enhancing worker safety, and unlocking new mineral reserves while reducing costs.
In Botswana, Botswana Diamonds is expanding beyond its traditional diamond focus with an AI-driven, nationwide exploration campaign launched in August 2024. By March 2025, the company had identified potential deposits of Besshi, greenstone, Mississippi Valley-type lead and zinc, SEDEX, and platinum group metals (PGMs). To capitalize on these discoveries, it has applied for 11 new prospecting licenses. Chairman John Teeling stated:
“During the initial analysis of the big database, it became clear that the AI technology could be used to identify other unknown mineral opportunities… Our analysis so far has identified a series of targets in copper, cobalt, zinc, and gold.”
In Zambia, U.S.-based startup KoBold Metals is deploying AI to accelerate critical mineral exploration and mine development. The company raised $537 million in January 2025, bringing its total funding to $1 billion. KoBold is developing one of the world’s largest untapped copper basins at its $2 billion Mingomba Project, aiming for annual production of 300,000 tons by 2030. It is also exploring the Dumbwa Mine and Konkola West Project, supporting Zambia’s goal of producing 3 million tons of copper annually by 2031.
In South Africa, Kilken Platinum is using AI to enhance efficiency at its Thabazimbi processing plant in Limpopo as part of its expansion to double PGM output to 83 kg per month. The project has already increased output to 40 kg during its initial phase. Dondo Mogajane, CEO of parent company Moti Group, noted that AI enables real-time monitoring of production and strict adherence to safety protocols.
Elsewhere, Richards Bay Minerals, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, is applying AI for ore body modeling, equipment dispatch, and blast control at its mines in KwaZulu-Natal. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, Glencore is integrating digital tools to streamline critical mineral exploration as part of the Phase 2 expansion of its KTO copper and cobalt project.
AMW 2025 will feature high-level discussions on AI’s role in driving industry growth, investment opportunities for technology providers, and the broader economic impact of digital transformation across Africa’s mining landscape.
