In the early years after independence, African governments reclaimed control over metal and mineral resources previously worked by European mining corporations. Since the 1990s, transnational corporations have re-entered and reshaped the mining landscape, changing ownership and management of major projects. Research by Ben Radley on Central Africa describes a three-stage process associated with this shift.
Nationalization measures and changes in public-sector control
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), President Joseph-Désiré Mobutu initiated steps to nationalize resources. The Bakajika Law of 1966 required foreign-based companies to establish local headquarters, and major mining operations were nationalized. Union minière de Haut Katanga became Société générale Congolaise des minerais (Gécamines).
By 1970, the Congolese public sector controlled 40% of national value added. Copper production in the DRC and Zambia increased during this period. State revenues tripled by 1970, supporting social programs including healthcare and education.
Economic conditions later shifted as oil price spikes and global recessions affected copper markets. Copper prices fell, and debts increased. By the 1990s, the sector faced stagnation and decline.
World Bank influence on privatization and deregulation
From 1980 onward, the World Bank heavily influenced African mining policy through support for privatization and deregulation. The stated aim was to attract foreign investment and modernize mining operations. Mineral exploration expanded across Africa, and foreign direct investment increased.
This policy direction continued into the 21st century, with an emphasis on capital-intensive foreign-owned mining as central to development. Reforms in multiple African countries reflected a focus on institutional changes intended to facilitate foreign investment dominance.
Labor restrictions affecting miners under corporate pressure
The final stage described in Radley’s work involved transnational corporations confronting labor-intensive miners. Miners had historically contributed to rural employment and mineral production across Africa. In this phase, they were marginalized as “primitive” and “inefficient.”
According to the account, miners faced displacement and were restricted to less productive sites. This change occurred alongside corporate efforts to manage labor-intensive operations within mining sectors.