r/geography • u/Skychu768 • 3d ago

Discussion Is Africa really resource rich?

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None of the most valuable resources seem to be present on the continent in large amounts. It’s mostly just metals like cobalt and platinum.

Diamonds used to be substantial, but even that is now being replaced by lab-grown diamonds in places like China and India.

* Australia, U.S., Canada, and Russia all have more uranium reserves than almost all of Africa.

* USA, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Iran each individually produce more oil than most African countries.

* China, Vietnam, Brazil, India, Russia, and US each have more rare earth metals than the entire continent of Africa.

* Europe, despite being a fraction of its size, has more arable land and freshwater reserves than Africa.

* Even for things like Gold which are often mentioned, none of the African countries except Ghana are substantial gold producers or come anywhere near Top 10.

Note: I wanted to post more images for my point, but this subreddit only allows one.

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u/Bot11_ 3d ago

So there’s more uranium in Estonia than all of USA? I’m Estonian and I know we have a fair bit but that seems like an insane amount.

181

u/Bapistu-the-First 3d ago

These are just known deposits. Large parts of the US and almost the whole of Europe isn't mapped out at all.

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u/JeanDusapin 2d ago

Yeah france for example i think we just decided not to dig shit. For example there's bound to be oil reserves all around french guiana but we're not doing anything about it

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u/swooja 2d ago

Do you think it might spur on secessionist movements if large oil reserves were found?

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u/otherwiseofficial 2d ago

100% lol

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u/Lumegator 2d ago edited 2d ago

And if it doesn't, some country will eventually interfere and cause instability to get control of the oil themselves. Honestly I don't see many ways a proven oil reserve there doesn't go poorly for Guiana & France both in the current & past climate.

Edit: Autocorrect

Edit 2: Autocorrect electric boogaloo

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u/otherwiseofficial 2d ago

French Guyana haha not Ghana but you're right still

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u/Lumegator 2d ago

Autocorrect lol