The US is not opposed to China investing in Africa if the investments are centred on upholding human rights, democracy and jobs.

Increased prices for fossil fuels have shifted the conversation, potentially benefitting oil and gas projects in Africa as importers scramble to diversify supply chains away from Russia.

Global miners are deploying a raft of new leaching technologies that can extract low concentrations of copper from waste rock and help avoid lengthy mine permitting delays.

The overwhelming message from miners and investors is that the situation is urgent, and getting worse, writes Clyde Russell.

The proposal now returns to the environmental commission, where it will be renegotiated before facing a second vote.

Article 27 would grant the state exclusive rights to lithium, rare earth metals and hydrocarbons while also making the state a majority shareholder of any copper mines.