African Mining Burundi
African Mining Burundi was a Burundi-based public–private mining partnership established to develop gold and other mineral deposits, including the Masaka and Muhwazi areas.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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History
African Mining Burundi emerged from exploration and licensing activity in northern Burundi’s mining sector. The Muhwazi perimeter, located in Butihinda Commune in Muyinga Province, had previously been explored by Flemish Investments Limited and Burundi Mining Company, or BUMINCO. Both companies withdrew from the project. After nine months of research, BUMINCO applied for an exploitation permit for the Masaka perimeter. A new phase began on 21 August 2017, when the British company African Mining Limited obtained an exploration permit for gold and associated minerals in the Muhwazi perimeter. The permit provided the basis for the company’s subsequent involvement in Burundi’s industrial mining development. On 8 August 2018, African Mining Burundi was established as an 85% subsidiary of African Mining Limited. The Burundian state held the remaining 15%, giving the enterprise a public–private ownership structure. The new company was licensed to exploit a gold deposit at Masaka and nine additional identified mining sites. Its main development was centered on the Masaka I site, situated in the Masaka colline of Butihinda Commune. President Pierre Nkurunziza attended the official launch of industrial mining activities there on 8 October 2018. The project included construction of a gold-processing plant at Masaka, intended to support industrial treatment of ore from the company’s licensed areas. Government oversight continued during the construction phase. Presidential decree no. 100/191 of 18 December 2019 appointed Simon Ngendakumana as the administrator representing the state on the board of directors of African Mining Limited. On 29 July 2020, the director general of the Office Burundais des Mines et Carrieres visited the Masaka site to inspect progress on the processing plant and discuss the project with its operators. The company’s development was interrupted by a change in government policy toward foreign participation in Burundi’s mining industry. In an independence-day address on 1 July 2021, President Evariste Ndayishimiye argued that foreign companies were obtaining excessive profits from Burundi’s nickel, rare-earth, gold, and coltan resources. He ordered all foreign mining companies to suspend their mining activities from 14 July 2021. This directive affected the operating environment for African Mining Burundi, although the available material does not specify the precise administrative outcome for its permits, plant, employees, or corporate registration. On 15 June 2022, the Council of Ministers considered a report from the Minister of Hydraulics, Energy and Mines concerning the progress of artisanal mining in areas that had been granted to Tanganyika Mining Burundi and African Mining Burundi. This indicates that the company’s former licensed areas remained part of government discussions after the 2021 suspension. The sources do not confirm a formal liquidation, permanent closure, resumption of industrial production, or change in ownership. African Mining Burundi is consequently best described as a historically documented mining enterprise whose current operating status requires verification.
- 2022
Government reviews artisanal mining in granted areas
[1]The Council of Ministers discussed artisanal-mining progress in areas previously granted to African Mining Burundi and Tanganyika Mining Burundi.
- 2021
Foreign mining activities suspended
[1]President Evariste Ndayishimiye ordered foreign mining companies to suspend mining activities from 14 July 2021.
- 2020
Government inspection of processing-plant construction
[1]The director general of the Office Burundais des Mines et Carrieres visited the Masaka site to review construction progress and consult with operators.
- 2019
State board representative appointed
[1]A presidential decree named Simon Ngendakumana as administrator representing the Burundian state on the board of directors of African Mining Limited.
- 2018
African Mining Burundi incorporated
[1]African Mining Burundi was established as an 85% subsidiary of African Mining Limited, with the Burundian state holding 15%.
- 2018
Masaka industrial mining project launched
[1]President Pierre Nkurunziza attended the official launch of industrial mining activities at the Masaka I site.
- 2017
Muhwazi exploration permit granted
[1]African Mining Limited obtained an exploration permit for gold and associated minerals in the Muhwazi perimeter of Butihinda Commune, Muyinga Province.
Products and positioning
Industrial mining venture focused on developing Burundi’s gold and associated-mineral resources through a foreign-investor and state partnership.
Mineral commodity
Gold
Gold was the company’s principal identified mineral resource. African Mining Burundi was licensed to exploit a gold deposit at Masaka and pursued industrial development of the Masaka I site, including construction of a processing plant.
Mineral commodities · 2017
Associated minerals
The exploration permit obtained by African Mining Limited covered gold and associated minerals in the Muhwazi perimeter. The available source does not identify the associated minerals individually or document commercial production of them.
Mining infrastructure
Masaka gold-processing plant
A gold-processing plant was built at the Masaka colline in Butihinda Commune to support the company’s industrial mining project. Government officials inspected construction progress in July 2020, but the available material does not establish whether the plant entered sustained commercial operation.
Brand decisions
2021
Suspend foreign mining activitiesOtherBackground
President Evariste Ndayishimiye stated that foreign companies were making excessive profits from Burundi’s mineral resources.
Action taken
The government ordered all foreign companies to suspend mining activities from 14 July 2021.
Aftermath
African Mining Burundi’s subsequent operating status is not established in the available sources. Its former licensed areas were still discussed by the Council of Ministers in 2022 in connection with artisanal mining.
2018
Adopt a public–private industrial mining structureStrategyBackground
African Mining Burundi was formed to develop gold and other mineral resources through an arrangement combining African Mining Limited’s majority ownership with a minority stake held by the Burundian state.
Action taken
The company was incorporated with African Mining Limited holding 85% and the state holding 15%, and it received authorization covering the Masaka deposit and nine other identified sites.
Aftermath
The structure supported the launch of industrial mining activities at Masaka and construction of a gold-processing plant, although later government suspension orders disrupted the project.
Recent events
- 2022
Council of Ministers reviews artisanal mining in African Mining Burundi concession areas[1]
Regulation · Other
The Council of Ministers discussed progress in artisanal mining in areas previously granted to African Mining Burundi and Tanganyika Mining Burundi.
- 2021
Burundi orders foreign mining companies to suspend activities[1]
Regulation · Other
President Evariste Ndayishimiye announced that foreign mining companies were to suspend mining activities from 14 July 2021, citing concerns about excessive foreign profits from Burundi’s mineral resources.
- 2018
African Mining Burundi is established[1]
Other
African Mining Burundi was incorporated as an 85%-owned subsidiary of African Mining Limited, with the Burundian state retaining a 15% interest.
- 2018
Industrial mining activities launched at Masaka[1]
Product launch
President Pierre Nkurunziza attended the official launch of African Mining Burundi’s industrial mining activities at the Masaka I site.
- 2017
African Mining Limited receives exploration permit for Muhwazi[1]
Other
African Mining Limited obtained an exploration permit for gold and associated minerals in the Muhwazi perimeter of Burundi.
Sources1 sources
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