Mining by country

Mining in Togo

What Togo mines: phosphate rock (0.6% of world output, #18). Mineral rents are 4.9% of GDP.

Mineral rents4.9%of GDP, 2021. Higher than 89% of countries.
Ores and metals26%of merchandise exports, 2025.
Biggest world rolePhosphate rock0.6% of world mine output, #18, 2025.
World top-3 producer of0minerals we track.
Governance, World Bank WGI 2025
  • Rule of law-0.63above 33% of countries
  • Political stability-0.85above 17% of countries
  • Regulatory quality-0.48above 35% of countries
  • Control of corruption-0.70above 29% of countries
Estimates from −2.5 to +2.5; the bar sits at the country's score.

Mining in Togo at a glance

First recorded mining
1952 (first phosphate prospecting). Phosphate was found in 1952 during a prospecting survey of the west African coast by the geological service of a North African phosphate company; the CTMB was created… Source: republicoftogo.com
Defining moment
2 February 1974: phosphate mines nationalised. The act is remembered in Togo as part of the "Trois Glorieuses" of 1974, a year of national self-assertion. Source: republicoftogo.com
Mining law
Mining Code (Law No. 2003-012). Law No. 2003-012 is the legal framework for the mineral sector. Source: USGS
Nationalisations
1974 nationalisation of the CTMB. Eyadema announced the nationalisation on 2 February 1974; the official account blames the Sarakawa crash on sabotage by foreign financial interests opposed to the plan. Source: republicoftogo.com
Main mines
Mt. Ahito (chromium), Hahotoe-Kpogame (phosphate) Source: USGS
Signature minerals
phosphate Source: USGS

Official sitesMining ministry

Mining employment from the ILO usually counts all of mining and quarrying, often with oil and gas; national shares of GDP and exports are as each source defines them.

Share of world mine production

MineralWorld shareWorld rankYear
Phosphate rock0.6%182025

Phosphate rock mining in Togo

Togo mined 0.6% of the world's phosphate rock in 2025, ranking #18 (USGS). Every phosphate rock mine and project in Togo.

History of mining in Togo

What the ground holds. limestone, marble and phosphate. Source: USGS

How prospectors changed the worldThe full mining timeline

By mineral

Phosphate rock mines

Mining elsewhere in Africa

South AfricaDR CongoMozambiqueGhanaMadagascarRwandaNigeriaGuineaMoroccoTanzania

World shares: USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, latest year per mineral. Mineral rents, exports and governance: World Bank WDI and WGI. Trade: CEPII BACI. Projects: listed companies' announcements.

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Cover photos from Wikimedia Commons: The Big Hole by Rudolph Botha, CC BY-SA 3.0.