However, these geochemical investigations tended to be focused on the impacts of mining and mineral processing at a national level and in specific mining fields without taking account of the overall impact on larger hydrological and environmental domains across the continent.

UNESCO: EARTH SCIENCES FOR SOCIETY

Mineral extracted at the mine would be transferred underground for processing on Teesside about 35 miles (56km) away.

BBC: Artist's impression of mine buildings site

In China, Japan did a great number of resource-for-infrastructure deals, where it built mines, roads, ore processing facilities, rail lines, shipping ports, and much more and took in exchange the mineral wealth that that infrastructure produced and helped to transport.

FORBES: What's The Long Term Vision For China's Increased Investment In Africa?