Australian mining investment in Africa more than $50 billion: DFAT

Ann Harrap

Committed and planned investment by Australian companies in African resources projects is more than $50 billion, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Speaking at an event at the Mining Indaba Conference in Cape Town on 7 February, Australian High Commissioner, Ann Harrap said that Australian resources companies have more projects in Africa than in any other region.

“There are now at least 230 Australian companies with approximately 650 projects in mining exploration, extraction and processing, spread across 42 countries in Africa,” Ms Harrap said.

“And the total current and projected investment is estimated to be well over US$50 billion”.

Ms Harrap also pointed to the growth of activity of equipment and services companies in Africa.