Mining Africa’s mine corruption for profits and pleasure

A fine first day in California, although some pretty depressing news and views from mining Africa–but then corruption and incompetence in Africa is so routine I hesitate to write about the common-place, for it is so common.   Seems to me if you choose to invest or work in mines in Africa, you must be prepared to take the tough along with the profit or loss.  Them guys are not angels–they are tribalists, and tribalists look after the tribe first, and maybe the white worker or investor last, if at all. 

First Africa story was a conversation with a Namibian born, California born-again hedonist who is also a consultant to the mining industry in the USA.  He is just back from South Africa, and tells me lots of people are still investing lots, while Zuma takes his forth or fifth wife, and faces jail for a whole range of corruptions.  Seems SA has a problem is they send him to jail, and they have  problem if they do not send him to jail.  That’s Africa. 

The second is an e-mail that hit my in-box.  Here it is.  It speaks for itself.  I refrain from the obvious comments. 

 By the  way  have you  been  following the events in Gambia with Carnegie Minerals? That is.was the company I was working for!This is the reason I am looking for a job once again. Its a real pity  as I was really  enjoying the job there - good accommodation;  500m from a great beach; good  food; and working with  nice people. My  General manager is now in custody, on what charge I  don’t know.  Its lucky I was out of the country  or else I am sure I would be in jail with him.  He has been in jail for a week now and I am still not sure what the Govt there is  pratting on about, we were accused of deceiving them but they  don’t seen to realize that  minerals often have two or more names.State for Foreign Affairs, Crispin Grey Johnson, said the company had signed an agreement with the government which encompasses the mining of only ilmenite, rutile and another mineral. But the company went on, contrary to the agreement, to mine other minerals, including iron ore, titanium and traces of uranium and then went on to say the laboratory results revealed that the samples contained iron, titanium and small quantities of uranium. What, I wonder do they  think illmenite is, except iron ore and rutile titanium dioxide. If you  have seen anything  take a look at;http://www.afnews.org/stories/200801161082.html http://allafrica.com/stories/200802150796.html  http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssIndustryMaterialsUtilitiesNews/idUSL1216171520080212 I can only think the  President, who cures AIDS and diabetis have gome completly  crazy - see http://allafrica.com/stories/200802120630.html Regards, Neil