IRON ORE
Botanical nursery and seed bank at the Zanaga Project.
How the Zanaga Iron Ore Project encapsulates the Republic of Congo’s investment potential African investment stories are often dominated by discussions around risk. Far less attention is given to the countries and projects that demonstrate long-term investment viability through resource quality, government support, infrastructure development and sustained international interest. The Zanaga Iron Ore Project is looking to reframe this narrative to the latter, proving that African mining projects are not only feasible, but highly compelling and globally significant.
A frican investment stories are often dominated by support, infrastructure development and sustained international interest. The Zanaga Iron Ore Project is looking to reframe this narrative to the latter, proving that African mining projects are not only feasible, but highly compelling and globally significant. Africa’s largest undeveloped iron ore reserve Located in the southwest of the Republic of Congo, the Zanaga Project possesses a mineral resource estimated at approximately 6.9 billion tonnes and reserves exceeding 2 billion tonnes, placing it among the most significant iron ore developments discussions around risk. Far less attention is given to the countries and projects that demonstrate long-term investment viability through resource quality, government globally, and affording it the status of Africa’s largest undeveloped iron ore reserve. The project, which is owned and operated by London-listed Zanaga Iron Ore Company, has been designed to produce up to 30 million tonnes per annum of high-grade iron ore concentrate over a mine life exceeding 30 years. In an era where steelmakers are increasingly seeking higher- grade iron ore suitable for lower-emission steel production, Zanaga’s ability to produce Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) grade concentrate places it in a strategically valuable position. The global steel industry is accelerating its transition toward greener manufacturing processes, creating rising demand for premium iron ore products.
The Zanaga story is a Republic of Congo story Major mining projects require more than mineral resource potential; investors need confidence in regulatory frameworks, infrastructure planning, access, project economics, permitting processes, and government and community engagement over decades rather than years. Reflecting this, the Zanaga story is very much a Republic of Congo story, with a symbiosis existing between the company’s aims and the wider vision for the country. Recognising the vital role of business-led growth, the World Bank Group argued in a 2023 paper that mobilising the private sector is essential to Africa’s development, noting that “the private sector is critically important to create jobs and improve the livelihoods of people throughout the continent.” The Republic of Congo has been cognisant of this with regard to the oil and gas industry, which has dominated the country’s economy for decades, accounting for about 42% of GDP, 80% of total exports, and 60% of domestic revenues. But there is a growing school of thought that recognises mining as one of the country’s strongest opportunities for economic transformation, export diversification and job creation. Where hydrocarbons have already demonstrated that natural resources can serve as an anchor for wider industrial development across supply chains, large scale mining projects like Zanaga can help further diversify and grow the national economy. Zanaga has been a long-term operator in the Republic of Congo and has developed strong relationships with
10 MODERN MINING www.modernminingmagazine.co.za | SEPTEMBER 2026
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