Benin

Mining has been an essential part of Benin's history for centuries. The country has a variety of mineral resources, including gold, iron, marble, limestone, and phosphate. In the past, the kingdom of Dahomey utilized gold and iron in the production of weapons and tools, while marble and limestone were used in the construction of buildings and monuments. During the colonial era, phosphate was discovered and extracted by French companies for fertilizer production.

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Since Benin's independence, the government has made efforts to encourage the development of the mining industry. In 1976, the Société des Mines du Bénin (SMB) was established to exploit the country's mineral resources. Other mining companies have also been attracted to Benin, including Bénin Minerals SA, which mines gold and iron ore, and China National Complete Plant Import and Export Corporation, which is developing a large-scale phosphate project. However, despite these efforts, the mining sector is still relatively underdeveloped, and there is a need for more investment and infrastructure to fully harness the potential of Benin's mineral resources.