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China will outweigh rest of world for base metals demand by 2017: WoodMac
Source: www.chinamining.org Citation: Platts Date: Oct.21, 2013

China is on track to exceed the rest of the world in demand for base metals by 2017, becoming the single largest consumer, research consultancy Wood Mackenzie said Friday.

In its latest base metals demand forecasts, Wood Mackenzie expects China to account for 52% of base metals demand by 2017, compared with 46% of the 96 million mt global base metals market it will account for in 2013.

Head of Wood Mackenzie`s base metals markets research, Helen Matthews said: "Our forecasts for the next five years show that across all of the base metals -- aluminium, copper, lead, nickel and zinc -- growth in demand will come predominately from China."

According to the consultancy, China will maintain its global dominance and the outlook for Chinese base metals demand is "slower" not "lower."

"Demand growth has slowed from the double digits we saw from 2008 to 2013 to single digits -- ranging from 5% to 8% -- however, it`s important to note that in absolute tonnage terms we still see significant numbers," Matthews said.

Wood Mackenzie says that the global base metals market is set to grow to 122 million mt in 2018 from 96 million mt in 2013.

It notes that a huge shift in demand is set to occur in 2017.

"Today, the rest of the world, excluding China, accounts for 54% of the global base metals market, however, as we`re seeing with many other commodities, China`s rampant appetite will overtake the rest of the world, growing to 52% of demand in a 117 million mt market."

Senior economist for Wood Mackenzie, Jonathan Butcher, sees a number of drivers for China`s demand growth.

He notes that a key theme for China is continued urbanization and rising domestic wealth.

"Wood Mackenzie`s proprietary China activity index tracks a number of factors, and gives us confidence that economic growth will remain strong in the short term. Looking out to 2030, we see a bright future for Chinese commodity demand. Urbanization rates will reach 70%, compared to just under half of the population in 2013. This will have a widespread impact on the economy over the next 20 years," Butcher said.

"Our analysis shows that the outlook for key demand drivers is positive, with a firm emphasis on Asia," Matthews added.

Data released Friday by China`s national statistics bureau showed that China`s economy expanded 7.8% year on year in the third quarter of 2013, reversing a first half slowdown.

China`s growth for the first nine months of 2013 came it at 7.7%, above the government`s target of 7.5% for the full year

About CHINA MINING

Since first held in 1999, the scope and influence of CHINA MINING has grown rapidly year by year.  As a global mining summit forum and exhibition, CHINA MINING Congress and Expo has become one of the world’s top mining events, and one of the world’s largest mining exploration, development and trading platforms, covering all aspects of the whole mining industry chain, including geological survey, exploration and development, mining rights trading, mining investment and financing, smelting and processing, mining techniques and equipment, mining services, etc. playing an active promotion role in creating exchange opportunities and enhancing mutual cooperation between domestic and foreign mining enterprises.

CHINA MINING Congress and Expo 2013 will be held at Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin on November 2-5, 2013. We invite you to join the event and to celebrate the 15th anniversary of CHINA MINING with us.  For more information about CHINA MINING 2013, please visit: m.balanzskin.com..

Chinese mining giant prepares for a US$800m project in Myanmar
Source: www.chinamining.org Citation: www.elevenmyanmar.com Date: Oct.14, 2013

                                              Equipment for Tagaungtaung project being transported to the project site (Photo: cn15mcc)

China Non-ferrous Metal Mining Company (CNMC) and Myanmar`s Ministry of Mines are working to prepare for a major operation of the US$800 million joint-venture nickel project in Tagaungtaung area, central Myanmar, according to the Ministry of Mining.

The ministry officials and CNMC have formed the central supervisory committee and related sub-committees including that of quality control and that of testing full-blown operation of the mine and refinery plant, the Ministry of Mines said in a press statement.

Located in Tagaung area of Mandalay and Sagaing Regions, Tagaungtaung Nickel and Ferro-Nickel Mine is the largest mining project China has cooperated with Myanmar government in the mining industry, and it is also the largest projects China has invested in neighbouring countries, according to CNMC.

CNMC and the No. 3 Mining Enterprise, under Myanmar`s Ministry of Mines signed the agreements for exploration and feasibility survey of the Tagaungtaung project in 2004.  After completion of geological survey and feasibility study, the two sides signed the production sharing agreement of the project with an annual output of 85,000 tonnes of ferro-nickel.

Established since 1983, CNMC is one of the large commercial entities under the control of Chinese government.

About CHINA MINING

Since first held in 1999, the scope and influence of CHINA MINING has grown rapidly year by year. As a global mining summit forum and exhibition, CHINA MINING Congress and Expo has become one of the world’s top mining events, and one of the world’s largest mining exploration, development and trading platforms, covering all aspects of the whole mining industry chain, including geological survey, exploration and development, mining rights trading, mining investment and financing, smelting and processing, mining techniques and equipment, mining services, etc. playing an active promotion role in creating exchange opportunities and enhancing mutual cooperation between domestic and foreign mining enterprises.

CHINA MINING Congress and Expo 2013 will be held at Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin on November 2-5, 2013. We invite you to join the event and to celebrate the 15th anniversary of CHINA MINING with us. For more information about CHINA MINING 2013, please visit: m.balanzskin.com.

Chinese Steelmaker Considers Canadian Iron-Ore Deal
Source: www.chinamining.org Citation: wsj.com Date: Sept.27, 2013

Wuhan Iron & Steel (Group) Corp. is in a thinning field of bidders for Rio Tinto PLC`s Canadian iron-ore assets, raising the possibility it would be the first Chinese state-owned firm to make a large Canadian acquisition since a controversial oil-sands deal last year.

The Chinese steel giant is looking to buy, potentially with partners, the 59% stake in Iron Ore Co. of Canada that Rio Tinto put up for sale in March, according to people familiar with the matter. Wuhan`s interest underscores China`s continued appetite for metal assets, including iron ore, around the world.

In Canada, such a deal would be the first test of new rules Prime Minister Stephen Harper`s government applied to state-owned bidders in the wake of Cnooc Ltd.`s $15.1 billion takeover of Canadian oil-sands operator Nexen Inc. Though Canada approved the Cnooc-Nexen tie-up, it effectively blocked state-owned companies from acquiring oil-sands assets in the future, and signaled that attempts by state-owned firms to seek control of other Canadian assets would face higher scrutiny.

Earlier this year, analysts estimated that Rio Tinto`s stake in Iron Ore of Canada was worth around $4 billion, valuing the entire business at roughly $7 billion. Currently, any bid for a Canadian company, or a controlling stake in one, exceeding 344 million Canadian dollars ($333.6 million) has to be judged on whether it produces a "net benefit" to the Canadian economy. This year, Chinese companies have made a handful of investments below that threshold, but none above.

Some bankers say state-owned firms in China and elsewhere have been put off from bidding for Canadian assets by Ottawa`s tightened rules and by the furor that surrounded Cnooc`s acquisition and the roughly $5.2 billion acquisition of Progress Energy Resources Corp. by Malaysia`s Petroliam Nasional Bhd that occurred around the same time.

But there is Chinese interest in Rio Tinto`s Canadian iron-ore assets, people familiar with the matter say. China is the world`s largest steel-producing country and depends on imported ore for 60% of its steelmaking. Hebei Iron & Steel Co. mulled making a bid at one stage, according to people familiar with the matter. And China Minmetals Corp. said earlier this year that it was interested in bidding.

A representative for Hebei said they were unaware of any involvement in bidding. Minmetals didn`t respond to requests for comment. Representatives from Wuhan and Rio Tinto also declined to comment.

Though increasingly choosy, Chinese companies remain in the market for global metal assets, including iron ore. On Thursday, Tianjin Minerals and Equipment Group Corp. said it would pay $990 million for a 16.5% stake in a Sierra Leone iron-ore mine.

Rio Tinto`s Canadian iron-ore assets initially attracted wide interest, but many potential bidders dropped out of contention, saying the sellers were asking too high a price that, for instance, didn`t reflect the assets` complexity. Iron Ore Co. of Canada has two other owners and owns transport infrastructure, such as a rail line and port facilities.

Rio Tinto in June dropped plans to sell a different Canadian asset-a majority interest in a diamond mine-after that stake and the company`s other diamond properties failed to attract enough investor interest. Like other global miners, Rio Tinto has been trying to shed assets to shore up its finances during a slump in commodities prices and as investors demand greater returns.

Two of Canada`s largest pension funds, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and Caisse de d¨¦pot et placement du Qu¨¦bec, were also at times mulling separate bids for the iron-ore assets, as were U.S. private-equity funds Blackstone Group LP and Apollo Global Management LLC. These funds have since dropped out, according to people familiar with the matter.

Canadian miner Teck Resources Ltd. has also shown interest, according to a person familiar with the matter. It is unclear where the Vancouver-based firm currently stands on bidding. The company-in which China Investment Corp, owns a 17% stake-declined to comment

About CHINA MINING

Since first held in 1999, the scope and influence of CHINA MINING has grown rapidly year by year. As a global mining summit forum and exhibition, CHINA MINING Congress and Expo has become one of the world’s top mining events, and one of the world’s largest mining exploration, development and trading platforms, covering all aspects of the whole mining industry chain, including geological survey, exploration and development, mining rights trading, mining investment and financing, smelting and processing, mining techniques and equipment, mining services, etc. playing an active promotion role in creating exchange opportunities and enhancing mutual cooperation between domestic and foreign mining enterprises.

CHINA MINING Congress and Expo 2013 will be held at Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin on November 2-5, 2013. We invite you to join the event and to celebrate the 15th anniversary of CHINA MINING with us. For more information about CHINA MINING 2013, please visit: m.balanzskin.com.

China to increase rare earth purchase
Source: www.chinamining.org Citation: China Daily Date: Sept.24, 2013

China is likely to purchase billions of yuan of rare-earth minerals starting next month to bolster its strategic reserves, industry sources said.

Du Shuaibing, an analyst with market trends firm Baichuan Information, said that six large rare-earth producers are on the list for the purchasing program, which was launched last year.

This round of purchases will target medium and heavy rare earths, which are more valuable but less common than light rare earths, he added.

Du said it is likely that the plan involves about 10,000 metric tons of rare earths .

The six companies are Baotou Steel Rare Earth Hi-Tech Co, China`s largest rare earth producer by output; China Minmetal Rare Earth Co Ltd; China Nonferrous Metal Industry`s Foreign Engineering and Construction Co Ltd; Chinalco Rare Earth Jiangsu Co Ltd; Rising Nonferrous Metals Co Ltd and Ganzhou Rare Earth Mineral Industry Co Ltd.

Purchase prices are expected to be slightly above market levels, as was the case last year, he said. If prices were below market levels, he said, "the purchase might not be successful."

But Du added that nothing is confirmed at this stage.

The expected move is aimed at balancing market supplies of rare earths amid a decline in prices and demand this year and leading to expectations of higher prices, Du added.

Despite a brief uptick in August when the nation`s rare-earth industry convened at the Fifth China Baotou Rare Earth Industry Forum in Baotou, Inner Mongolia autonomous region, prices of the metals had been declining amid lethargic demand and strong supplies.

Du said that prices will remain depressed in the fourth quarter.

The rare-earth stockpile program, a strategy that many countries has used to ensure the sustainable development of high-tech industries, was launched last year.

Prices were raised after the announcement of purchases of light rare earths for the national reserves.

The State Council originally proposed establishing a national strategic reserve in conjunction with commercial inventories.

China`s rare-earth reserves account for about 23 percent of the global total, but they have been over-exploited. As the world`s largest producer of rare earths, China provides more than 90 percent of global supplies. But international dependence on China`s exports of rare earths has been declining.

Chen Zhanheng, deputy secretary-general of the China Rare Earths Industry Association, urged investors and industry players not to react to reports regarding national reserves by pushing up prices in the short term. He said prices won`t be affected by the national strategy.

Liu Yinan, vice-chairman of the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals and Chemicals Importers and Exporters, said on Sept 13 that the country`s light rare-earth reserves are sufficient for at least 100 years.

He proposed that the national strategic stockpile should focus on medium and heavy rare-earth elements.

About CHINA MINING

Since first held in 1999, the scope and influence of CHINA MINING has grown rapidly year by year. As a global mining summit forum and exhibition, CHINA MINING Congress and Expo has become one of the world’s top mining events, and one of the world’s largest mining exploration, development and trading platforms, covering all aspects of the whole mining industry chain, including geological survey, exploration and development, mining rights trading, mining investment and financing, smelting and processing, mining techniques and equipment, mining services, etc. playing an active promotion role in creating exchange opportunities and enhancing mutual cooperation between domestic and foreign mining enterprises.

CHINA MINING Congress and Expo 2013 will be held at Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin on November 2-5, 2013. We invite you to join the event and to celebrate the 15th anniversary of CHINA MINING with us. For more information about CHINA MINING 2013, please visit: m.balanzskin.com.

Gold jewelry demand rises in 2Q
Source: www.chinamining.org Citation: Global Times Date: Aug.16, 2013

Chinese consumers` demand for gold products like gold -jewelry saw a significant increase in the second quarter due to falls in gold prices, the World Gold Council (WGC) said in a report Thursday.

Consumer demand in China showed strong growth, totaling 276 tons in the second quarter, a rise of 87 percent compared with the same quarter of last year, as investors used the -lower gold price to buy in advance of expected future price rises, the WGC said in its Gold Demand Trends report.

Jewelry demand in the -second quarter was 153 tons, up 54 percent compared with the same quarter of last year, while bar and coin investment was 123 tons, up 157 percent over the second quarter of last year, the report said.

Middle-aged Chinese women are one of the major groups of buyers for gold products.

"Most of our customers for bar and coin investment are the ladies around 40 years old who plan to buy in at low prices to maintain capital value," Jiao Guangyi, deputy general manager of Beijing Sun Gold Store, told the Global Times Thursday.

Since the prices for gold jewelry declined to around 350 yuan ($57.23) per gram recently, the lowest level since 2010, it is "a good opportunity for investment at present," Jiao said.

Jiao predicted gold prices will rise in a long term as some gold mines around the world have reduced production due to the recent price declines, and "fewer supplies will consequently lead to price hike," Jiao said.

China`s leading gold and metalliferous resource company Zijin Mining Group Co announced Wednesday that it will reduce the target for gold production this year by 2 tons to 31 tons.

Other world leading gold companies are also planning to cut output. Barrick Gold Corp announced earlier this month that it planned to sell or close 12 gold mines, and its gold production will also possibly be reduced this year.

However, an analyst told the Global Times Thursday that those middle-aged Chinese women were "too hasty" to invest in gold products in the past three months and their money will possibly be "trapped" due to their blind investments.

"International gold prices are unlikely to rebound within three to five years based on the expectation of QE withdrawal by US Federal Reserve, which consequently will prompt a drop in gold prices," Sun Yonggang, a gold analyst from Everbright Futures Co, told the Global Times.

Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said at a news briefing in June that the US was about to start a total withdrawal from QE if economic data indicated the US economy is on a trend of recovery.

Driven by the demand for gold in China and India, which are the biggest markets for gold, the global jewelry demand hit 576 tons in the second quarter, up 37 percent from 421 tons in the same quarter last year, reaching its highest level since the third quarter of 2008, according to the WGC report.

Bar and coin investment grew by 78 percent globally compared to last year, topping 500 tons in a quarter for the first time, the report said.

About CHINA MINING

Since first held in 1999, the scope and influence of CHINA MINING has grown rapidly year by year. As a global mining summit forum and exhibition, CHINA MINING Congress and Expo has become one of the world’s top mining events, and one of the world’s largest mining exploration, development and trading platforms, covering all aspects of the whole mining industry chain, including geological survey, exploration and development, mining rights trading, mining investment and financing, smelting and processing, mining techniques and equipment, mining services, etc. playing an active promotion role in creating exchange opportunities and enhancing mutual cooperation between domestic and foreign mining enterprises.

CHINA MINING Congress and Expo 2013 will be held at Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin on November 2-5, 2013. We invite you to join the event and to celebrate the 15th anniversary of CHINA MINING with us. For more information about CHINA MINING 2013, please visit: m.balanzskin.com.

Australian miners facing bust look to China`s Zijin
Source: www.chinamining.org Citation: Reuters Date: Aug.05, 2013

Gold miner Dianmin Chen - running Australia`s Norton Gold Ltd for China`s biggest gold producer Zijin Mining Group - says there`s still money to be made in mining.

While other companies are bracing for tough times by laying off workers and closing mines, Chen has been given a mandate to nearly double gold production and is keeping an eye out for potential acquisitions.

"We see this lower market as an opportunity to grow," he said in an interview.

Chen, who took the top job after Zijin paid $240 million for control of Norton a year ago, is lead speaker at the Diggers and Dealers mining conference starting Monday as organizers hope to inject some optimism into a likely gloomy gathering.

With bullion prices down more than 25 percent since October 2012, giants like Barrick Gold and Newmont Mining are joining Australia`s small- and mid-tier miners in laying off workers and selling higher-cost operations.

A group of seven one-time Australian favorites including Alacer Gold, OceanaGold and Silver Lake Resources have clocked up A$2.5 billion ($2.23 billion)in write-downs this year.

Globally, Barrick posted an $8.7 billion write-down, while majors Goldcorp Inc, Newmont and Kinross Gold Corp reported a combined $6 billion in impairment charges linked to plunging gold prices.

By contrast, Norton, which has mines in the Kalgoorlie region in western Australia`s outback, aims to nearly double bullion output to 300,000 ounces over three to five years.

Its 350 employees were all rewarded with pay rises this year and Chen says there is no talk of write-downs.

CHINA EXPANSION

China interest has been the big hope for the sector and optimism resurfaced after ChinaMolybdenum Co agreed last week to pay $820 million for Rio Tinto`s majority stake in the Northparkes copper and gold mine.

Chen is upbeat about future growth.

Norton is working its operations harder to cut costs, he said. It will soon be able to extract 1.7 grams of gold from every ton of ore, up from just 1 gram per ton in the past.

The miner is also close to mopping up Kalgoorlie Mining Ltd, acquired via a friendly scrip takeover that will help dilute Zijin`s ownership of Norton by about 7 percent to below 83 percent, hopefully boosting liquidity.

Chen said "plenty of mines" are for sale in the Australian gold fields and elsewhere in the world. Norton was "always looking", although he declined to give names.

"We aren`t going to stop at 300,000 ounces," he said.

Barrick said last week that efforts to sell some mines in Australia were "well-advanced", while Alacer has said it has received interest in some of its mines.

For now, Zijin wants to see Norton`s additional gold come from the assets it already owns, Chen said. Norton has already upped its 2013 guidance thanks to higher grade ores.

"This year we are looking at an 11 percent increase in gold production," he said.

"Our mandate is to double our production from our existing platform," said Chen. "If we have extra M&A activities we would go beyond that."

($1 = 1.1223 Australian dollars)

About CHINA MINING

Since first held in 1999, the scope and influence of CHINA MINING has grown rapidly year by year. As a global mining summit forum and exhibition, CHINA MINING Congress and Expo has become one of the world’s top mining events, and one of the world’s largest mining exploration, development and trading platforms, covering all aspects of the whole mining industry chain, including geological survey, exploration and development, mining rights trading, mining investment and financing, smelting and processing, mining techniques and equipment, mining services, etc. playing an active promotion role in creating exchange opportunities and enhancing mutual cooperation between domestic and foreign mining enterprises.

CHINA MINING Congress and Expo 2013 will be held at Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin on November 2-5, 2013. We invite you to join the event and to celebrate the 15th anniversary of CHINA MINING with us. For more information about CHINA MINING 2013, please visit: m.balanzskin.com.

China Crude Steel Output Is Set to Hit a Record
Source: www.chinamining.org Citation: Dow Jones Date: Jul.25, 2013

China`s crude steel production this year is set to hit a new high, according to a government forecast, in the latest sign that state measures to control overcapacity aren`t working and global prices will likely remain sluggish.

China produces slightly less than half the world`s steel, and mills here haven`t cut production significantly even though growth in demand is slowing. As a result, a rising flood of Chinese steel exports is weighing on the world market.

At the current pace, output of crude steel-the basic building block for China`s construction and manufacturing industries-could reach 790 million metric tons in 2013, Zhu Hongren, chief engineer at the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, said Wednesday. The previous high was last year`s 716.5 million tons.

The government has promised new measures to combat steel overcapacity but has yet to unveil them. In the past, these have typically consisted of moratoriums on the building of new plants, efforts to encourage producers to mergeand tougher environmental rules, designed to both reduce pollution and encourage companies to close older facilities.

Output has surged despite the fact that "the industry hasn`t yet emerged from a trough," Mr. Zhu said in comments posted on his ministry`s website.

"In this situation of high steel output, steel prices have continued to fall and inventories are still relatively high," Mr. Zhu said. "Some mills have no intention of cutting output."

The production binge and weaker macroeconomic conditions hit prices. According to Bernstein Research, aggregate monthly profit at the country`s 80 largest steelmakers fell to 150 million yuan ($24.4 million) in May from 210 million yuan in April, a result the firm described as "barely break-even in these two months."

Steel prices in China rose 2.2% in June after falling 14% in the first five months of the year, according to Shanghai Futures Exchange data.

The slight recovery led industry bellwether Baoshan Iron & Steel Co. to keep its prices unchanged for August, after cutting them in May, June and July. "We have seen some moderate recovery in steel prices, but we do not think the upward trend is sustainable unless significant capacity is curtailed or China implements a stimulus," said Bernstein analyst Vanessa Lau.

A spokesman for Baosteel Group Corp, Baoshan`s parent company, said Wednesday that Baoshan wouldn`t comment on its plans for pricing or output.

The high output reflects Chinese steel mills each deploying what amounts to a beggar-thy-neighbor policy in their production practices, analysts say.

"The attitude among mills is, if I cut my output, others may raise theirs," said Ma Haitian, a steel analyst for Beijing`s Antaike Development consultancy. "So it leads to a situation of everyone waiting to see who will cut first."

The state-backed industry group China Iron and Steel Association has blamed smaller mills for overproduction before, but analysts say both large and small mills have been responsible for jacking up output in recent months. Some steelmakers cut output earlier this year amid climbing losses but as soon as "the steel market showed signs of improvement, steelmakers began to restore capacity," the association said in a report Monday.

The percentage of capacity in use in the Tangshan area east of Beijing, the heart of China`s steel industry, reached historical highs of 95% in April and May and around 90% in June, Mr. Ma said. Global utilization rates were below 80%, according to an Ernst & Young report.

China`s steel exports have surged, rising 12.8% in the first half from a year earlier even as imports fell 1.8%. The rising exports have prompted U.S. analysts to warn for months that Chinese mills may be increasing their sales overseas to make up for weak demand at home.

Global steel prices have fallen 6% in the first half of this year, according to data from the MEPS steel consultancy.

About CHINA MINING

Since first held in 1999, the scope and influence of CHINA MINING has grown rapidly year by year. As a global mining summit forum and exhibition, CHINA MINING Congress and Expo has become one of the world’s top mining events, and one of the world’s largest mining exploration, development and trading platforms, covering all aspects of the whole mining industry chain, including geological survey, exploration and development, mining rights trading, mining investment and financing, smelting and processing, mining techniques and equipment, mining services, etc. playing an active promotion role in creating exchange opportunities and enhancing mutual cooperation between domestic and foreign mining enterprises.

CHINA MINING Congress and Expo 2013 will be held at Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin on November 2-5, 2013. We invite you to join the event and to celebrate the 15th anniversary of CHINA MINING with us. For more information about CHINA MINING 2013, please visit: m.balanzskin.com.

China is 3rd biggest M&A player in Africa
Source: www.chinamining.org Citation: China Daily Date: Jul.09, 2013

China has become the world`s third-largest country doing mergers and acquisitions in Africa, favoring the oil and gas sector, according to a report by international law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer released on Monday.

The country made 49 M&A deals totaling $20.8 billion in Africa since 2003, following the United Kingdom with $30.5 billion and France with $30.47 billion.

The value of African inward investment has tripled in the last 10 years reaching more than $182 billion, up 214 percent in 2012 compared with 2003.

"Africa`s rapid pace of growth makes it an obvious investment partner for China in many jurisdictions," said Rob Ashworth, Freshfields Asia`s managing director.

Chinese dealmakers favor the natural resources sector with $8.1 billion invested in oil and gas across three deals and $6.7 billion invested across 19 deals in metals and mining over the last 10 years, and their preference for these sectors will likely continue, said the report.

Globally, there were 1,190 M&A deals totaling $87.6 billion done in Africa over the same period.

"Extractives and mining opportunities have been big drivers of growth," said Ashworth. "However, consumer-related M&As could take the limelight as GDP per household continues to grow, the middle class in Africa expands and consumer demand rises."

The value of investment targeting these industries has doubled in the last 10 years with $3.8 billion across 71 deals invested in 2012, up from $1.9 billion and 33 deals in 2003.

South Africa, Nigeria and Uganda became attractive destinations for Chinese investors with 23 deals totaling $16.4 billion, said the report.

One of the largest deals was the China-Africa Development Fund`s acquisition of a stake in Misr Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Manufacturing Co, a Cairo-based manufacturer of refrigerators and air conditioning systems, from the Barakat Group, for $5.6 billion in 2010.

"The African economy is growing and China`s similar development experience makes us believe that Africa is on the right track," said Chi Jianxin, president of the China-Africa Development Fund.

Chi said that Africa is full of opportunities and the African market is increasingly attracting multinational companies from Europe, the United States, Japan and South Korea.

As of this year, over 2,000 Chinese companies have invested in Africa. Apart from the traditional big SOEs - such as PetroChina Co Ltd and Aluminum Corp of China - that are significant investors in the energy and mining sectors, private Chinese companies have in recent years become a key driving force.

Alan Wang, a Freshfields partner based in Beijing and Shanghai, told China Daily that Chinese privately owned companies see great opportunities in Africa given the continent`s rising income levels and economic dynamism in recent years, and the high complementary nature of its economy and China`s.

Wang said that main challenges to Chinese investors in Africa include lack of understanding of local laws, particularly around labor, environment and taxes; inadequate infrastructure, particularly power supply, transport and logistics; and lack of political stability, as well as bureaucracy and corruption.

"They need to understand the local laws and be prepared to follow them. It is important to study the political environment and not to overly rely on special deals made with particular government officials since they may not hold once there is a change of government," said Wang, adding that companies should also never underestimate startup costs, consider structuring investments in Africa, and find an international partner.

Wang said that as the domestic economy slows, Chinese companies are likely to be driven to focus more on developing overseas markets, particularly in Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America.

"Over the next few years we expect Chinese investment in Africa to continue to rise. SOEs will lead the way in services and manufacturing, to take advantage of low tariffs that some African nations enjoy when exporting to Western markets as protectionism rises against Chinese exports," said Wang.

About CHINA MINING

Since first held in 1999, the scope and influence of CHINA MINING has grown rapidly year by year. As a global mining summit forum and exhibition, CHINA MINING Congress and Expo has become one of the world’s top mining events, and one of the world’s largest mining exploration, development and trading platforms, covering all aspects of the whole mining industry chain, including geological survey, exploration and development, mining rights trading, mining investment and financing, smelting and processing, mining techniques and equipment, mining services, etc. playing an active promotion role in creating exchange opportunities and enhancing mutual cooperation between domestic and foreign mining enterprises.

CHINA MINING Congress and Expo 2013 will be held at Meijiang Convention and Exhibition Center in Tianjin on November 2-5, 2013. We invite you to join the event and to celebrate the 15th anniversary of CHINA MINING with us. For more information about CHINA MINING 2013, please visit: m.balanzskin.com.