As Chinese firms pour billions of dollars into mining, energy and infrastructure deals in Africa, Beijing is turning a blind eye to rogue regimes that stand to reap the benefits, observers say. Guinea's military rulers are the latest on the continent to receive a pledge of a massive infusion of Chinese cash -- at least seven billion dollars over five years in the mining sector from China Investment Fund (CIF).

South Africa's gold production fell by 14.4 percent in October compared with the same month in 2007, the national statistics agency said Tuesday.

KABUL, May 25, 2008 (AFP) - The Afghan government and a Chinese state company on Sunday signed a multi-billion-dollar deal for the exploration of a copper deposit said to be one of the largest in the world.

KINSHASA, May 15, 2008 (AFP) - The Democratic Republic of Congo has banned exports of the silver mineral cobalt concentrate in its southeastern province of Katanga to curb rampant fraud and pillaging, officials said Thursday.

Katanga's governor Moise Katumbi announced the temporary ban on Wednesday in the capital Lubumbashi, a mining ministry official said.

LUSAKA, Feb 12, 2008 (AFP) - Zambia's major mining firms on Tuesday rejected higher mineral taxes imposed by the government as illegal and excessive.

Copper mining firms through the national Chamber of Mines said the new taxes abrogated agreements signed with the government for tax stability for periods between 15 and 25 years.

BANJUL, Jan 19, 2008 (AFP) - Gambian President Yahya Jammeh said Saturday that uranium had been found in exploitable quantities in the country, along with other precious metals and minerals.

'I am pleased to announce that uranium has been discovered in the Gambia,' Jammeh announced on national television, adding that the reserves were '100 percent exploitable.'

LUSAKA, Jan 11, 2008 (AFP) - President Levy Mwanawasa on Friday announced the cancellation of all tax concessions for copper mining companies operating in Zambia, saying they were 'unfair and unbalanced'.

LUSAKA, Jan 4, 2008 (AFP) - More than 500 workers at a multi-million dollar Chinese-owned copper smelter in Zambia have gone on an indefinite strike in protest against poor wages and working conditions, a unionist said Friday.

MOSCOW, Dec 25, 2007 (AFP) - Rusal, the world's biggest aluminium producer, on Tuesday announced the purchase of a two-percent share in top nickel producer, Norilsk Nickel, as part of its bid to buy up the company.

LUSAKA, Dec 15, 2007 (AFP) - The Democratic Republic of Congo has banned mineral exports to neighbouring Zambia and ordered authorities to close the frontier to all trucks carrying copper, a mining official said Saturday.