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Africa Holds the World's Mineral Vault

The continent controls the majority of global reserves of phosphate, platinum-group metals and chromium.

Updated 2026 · Data year 2024
Figure 1
The continent controls the majority of global reserves of phosphate, platinum-group metals and chromium.
79.8%
Phosphate rock · %
Phosphate rock79.8%Platinum-group metals79.3%Chromium61.7%Cobalt55.5%Manganese37.3%Bauxite25.5%Graphite24.1%Gold11.3%
Source: USGS · 2024 · Africa's share of world reserves, summing USGS country reserves for African nations. Shares are conservative where USGS leaves 'other countries' reserves unallocated.

Africa holds about 80% of the world's phosphate rock reserves, almost all of it in Morocco (50 billion t of the 74 billion-t world total). It also controls roughly 79% of platinum-group metal reserves, led by South Africa, and about 62% of chromium, split between Zimbabwe and South Africa. The continent's cobalt reserves, concentrated in the DR Congo, make up around 56% of the global total.

Takeaways
  • Africa holds about 80% of world phosphate rock reserves, mostly in Morocco.
  • South Africa and Zimbabwe give Africa roughly 79% of platinum-group metal reserves.
  • African chromium reserves are about 62% of the world total.
  • The DR Congo lifts Africa's cobalt reserve share to around 56%.
  • Manganese (37%), bauxite (26%) and graphite (24%) round out the continent's mineral weight.
Sources

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