Two archaeologists carefully uncover artifacts in an archaeological dig in Africa.
A new financing model could reshape how Africa manages its vast artisanal mining sector. A “stakeholder prosperity bond,” backed by advisory firm Veridicor and Zambia’s Metalex Commodities, aims to raise $100 million to $200 million to formalize small-scale miners and integrate them into regulated supply chains. Instead of displacing informal miners, the initiative will provide them with training, fair pricing, and shared infrastructure, while linking investor returns to measurable social and environmental outcomes rather than raw output. In Zambia—Africa’s second-largest copper producer—this could reduce pollution, curb revenue losses, and improve livelihoods for thousands. If successful, the model may expand to countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Ghana, signaling a shift toward more inclusive and sustainable mining systems across the continent.
CNBC Africa