Markets Briefing Africa
Mining in Botswana: a briefing for South African contractors
Botswana mining: about 13 million carats of gem diamonds in 2025 and a copper expansion. Citizen rules, permits, tax and border posts for SA contractors.
The Africa edition covers surface mining in African countries outside South Africa, where the mines ministries, energy regulators and currencies differ from one country to the next. It lists our pieces on the wider continent first, then the explainers that apply on any surface mine.
Markets Briefing Africa
Mining in Namibia: a briefing for South African contractors
Namibia mining: uranium output rose 20.8% in 2025 as diamonds fell. Where contractors work, ownership policy, permits, tax and border posts for SA firms.
Markets Briefing Africa
Mining in Zimbabwe: a briefing for South African contractors
Zimbabwe mining: a record 50.5 tonnes of gold in 2025, Great Dyke PGMs and a lithium export ban. Rules, permits, tax and Beitbridge for SA contractors.
Fuel & diesel Diesel price Africa
Diesel prices in Southern Africa for mining: September 2026
Official diesel prices for September 2026: South Africa R29.11/l wholesale, Zambia K26.86, Zimbabwe US$2.08 and Mozambique MT116.25 a litre.
Diesel price this month
As at 25 Sep 2026
- South Africa 0.05% Gauteng (wholesale) 29.1111 ZAR/l up 2.939 on the previous figure
- Zambia 26.86 ZMW/l
- Zimbabwe D50 2.08 USD/l
- Mozambique 116.25 MZN/l
Formulas, definitions and methods that work the same on any surface mine, grouped by section.
Load, haul and blast
- Bench in open pit mining: height, parts and blasting Glossary
- Berm: the safety bank along a haul road Glossary
- Burden in blasting: the distance to the free face Glossary
- Grade resistance: what a ramp costs a haul truck Glossary
- Match factor: sizing trucks to loaders Glossary
- Rolling resistance on haul roads, with a worked example Glossary
- Spacing in blasting: the distance between holes in a row Glossary
- Stemming in blasting: length, material and why it matters Glossary
- TKPH explained: tyres, heat and haul speed Glossary
- Tonne-kilometre: measuring haulage work Glossary
- USGS National Minerals Information Center Minerals yearbook country chapters for African producers
Official sites, listed for reference. Pay Dirt is not connected with any of them.