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Africa

Dem. Rep. Congo

Open in the explorerOrganisations (17)Events

Production, refining and reserves

CommodityMetricValueWorld rank · shareSource
CobaltMine production 2025230,000 t Co content#1 · 74%USGS MCS 2026
CobaltReserves 20256 million t Co content#1 · 50%USGS MCS 2026
CopperMine production 20253.2 million t Cu content#2 · 14%USGS MCS 2026
CopperRefinery production 20252.8 million t Cu content#2 · 10%USGS MCS 2026
CopperReserves 202580 million t Cu content#4 · 8%USGS MCS 2026
ManganeseMine production 20237,000 t manganese ore (gross weight)#26 · 0%USGS Minerals Yearbook 2023 (manganese), table 6
TinMine production 202527,000 t Sn content#5 · 9%USGS MCS 2026
TinReserves 202591,000 t Sn content#9 · 2%USGS MCS 2026
TungstenMine production 2021100 t W content#13 · 0.1%USGS Minerals Yearbook 2021 (tungsten), table 15
ZincMine production 202311,000 t Zn content#38 · 0.1%USGS Minerals Yearbook 2023 (zinc, tables-only release), table 16
NiobiumMine production 2025970 t Nb content#3 · 0.9%USGS MCS 2026
TantalumMine production 20251,300 t Ta content#1 · 52%USGS MCS 2026
ThoriumResources 20142,500 t Th—OECD-NEA/IAEA Red Book 2014 (Uranium 2014), Table 1.17
UraniumResources 20232,700 t U content#54 · 0%NEA/IAEA Red Book 2024 (Uranium 2024), Table 1.2a, <USD 260/kgU
Diamond (industrial)Mine production 20257 million carats#2 · 18%USGS MCS 2026
Diamond (industrial)Reserves 2025150 million carats#4 · 9%USGS MCS 2026

Policies and export measures

Policy tracker →

  • 2026-04-10 · stockpile

    Strategic Reserve of strategic mineral substances managed by ARECOMS

    The Council of Ministers adopted a draft decree instituting a Strategic Reserve of strategic mineral substances, intended to help stabilise their markets, support local value addition and strengthen economic sovereignty. A second decree amended the ARECOMS founding decree to give it the task of building and managing the reserve.

    Source: Primature, Democratic Republic of the Congo

  • 2025-12-04 · agreement

    US–DRC Strategic Partnership Agreement (critical minerals)

    Binding agreement under which the DRC designates a Strategic Asset Reserve of critical-mineral and gold assets and exploration areas, with US persons given a right of first offer on those projects and on marketed output from them. It also covers the Sakania–Lobito export corridor, a possible jointly coordinated strategic minerals reserve in the DRC, investment incentives, and ARECOMS notification to the US of changes to cobalt export quotas or bans.

    Source: US Department of State

  • 2025-10-16 · export control

    ARECOMS cobalt export quota system replacing the export suspension

    Under ARECOMS Decision No. 004/ARECOMS/2025 (20 September 2025), cobalt exports resumed under quotas from 16 October 2025: 18,125 t for October–December 2025 and an annual cap of 96,600 t for 2026 and 2027, made up of 87,000 t of base quotas allocated pro rata to historical exports and a 9,600 t strategic quota managed by ARECOMS for projects of national strategic importance.

    Source: Agence Congolaise de Presse (ACP, DRC state news agency)

  • 2025-02-22 · ban

    ARECOMS temporary suspension of cobalt exports

    The strategic minerals market regulator ARECOMS (Decision No. 001/ARECOMS/2025) suspended all cobalt exports from industrial, semi-industrial and artisanal mining for an initial four months, to 21 June 2025, to address market oversupply. The suspension was extended to 21 September and then to 15 October 2025, after which an export quota system replaced it.

    Source: International Energy Agency (IEA)

  • 2023-10-26 · agreement

    EU–DRC memorandum of understanding on critical and strategic raw materials value chains

    Signed on 26 October 2023 (signature date) by the Commissioner for International Partnerships and the DRC Minister of Mines, at the Global Gateway Forum in Brussels.

    Source: European Commission

  • 2019-11-05 · trade measure

    State purchasing monopoly for artisanal strategic minerals such as cobalt (Decree No. 19/15)

    The decree reserves to the state the exclusive right to buy artisanally produced strategic minerals that need processing before export, such as cobalt ores, and provides for a commercial entity set up with Gécamines to buy, process and market them. It also places artisanal strategic-mineral mining under the supervision of a new market regulator and sets traceability, labour and environmental conditions.

    Source: Primature, Democratic Republic of the Congo (scan hosted by CTCPM, archived by Internet Archive)

  • 2019-11-05 · export control

    Creation of ARECOMS, the strategic minerals market regulator (Decree No. 19/16)

    The decree creates the Authority for Regulation and Control of Strategic Mineral Substances Markets (ARECOMS) as a public body to regulate and monitor production and trade in strategic minerals, citing risks of production and export imbalances and price disruption. ARECOMS later issued the 2025 cobalt export suspension and quotas.

    Source: Primature, Democratic Republic of the Congo (scan hosted by CTCPM, archived by Internet Archive)

  • 2018-11-24 · trade measure

    Decree No. 18/042 declaring cobalt, germanium and coltan strategic mineral substances

    A Prime Ministerial decree of 24 November 2018 classified cobalt, germanium and columbo-tantalite (coltan) as strategic mineral substances. Under the revised Mining Code this brings them under special rules and the 10% royalty rate for strategic substances.

    Source: Primature, Democratic Republic of the Congo (scan hosted by CTCPM, archived by Internet Archive)

  • 2018-03-09 · trade measure

    Revised Mining Code (Law No. 18/001 of 9 March 2018)

    The revision lets the Prime Minister declare certain minerals strategic substances by decree, with their access, exploration and marketing governed by special rules. It sets a 10% mining royalty for strategic substances (3.5% for non-ferrous and base metals) and adds a special tax on excess profits. It took effect on promulgation.

    Source: Presidency of the DRC / Journal Officiel; copy hosted by the Cellule Technique de Coordination et de Planification Minière (Ministry of Mines), archived by Internet Archive

Trade in critical minerals

Exports 2024$27 bn

  1. Copper$23 bnto China 74%, South Korea 4%, Saudi Arabia 4% · 28 more
  2. Cobalt*$3.3 bnto China 91%, Namibia 4%, Zambia 2% · 8 more
  3. Tin$607 mto China 99%, Namibia 0%, South Africa 0% · 3 more
  4. Zinc$128 mto Zambia 76%, Namibia 23%, China 1% · 3 more
  5. Tantalum*$60 mto China 92%, Kazakhstan 8%, Malaysia 1%
  6. Aluminium$9 mto India 77%, China 11%, Germany 7% · 8 more
  7. Nickel$9 mto China 76%, Namibia 24%
  8. Thorium$4 mto China 100%

and 7 more commodities

Imports 2024$9 m

  1. Magnesite$3 mfrom South Africa 83%, Zambia 17%
  2. Chromium$2 mfrom South Africa 100%, Tanzania 0%, Angola 0%
  3. Manganese$1 mfrom South Africa 69%, Zambia 15%, India 13% · 2 more
  4. Potash$684 kfrom Germany 88%, South Africa 8%, Netherlands 4% · 3 more
  5. Silicon$438 kfrom South Africa 64%, India 36%
  6. Lead$178 kfrom Zambia 100%
  7. Graphite (synthetic)$168 kfrom South Africa 100%
  8. Boron*$98 kfrom India 50%, South Africa 42%, Zambia 8% · 4 more

and 23 more commodities

Trade values in current US dollars (ores, concentrates, intermediates, chemicals and refined metal), not prices. * Includes HS codes that also cover other products. Source: CEPII BACI (HS22), Etalab Open Licence 2.0 — details.

Fiscal regime for mining

InstrumentApplies toRateLegal basis
RoyaltyCobalt, Germanium, Tantalum, NiobiumRate for 'strategic substances'; cobalt, germanium and coltan were declared strategic by Decree 18/042 of 24 Nov 2018 under Art. 7 bis10%gross commercial value (valeur commerciale brute: average international quotation of the merchant product in the month before it leaves the mine/plant)Loi n° 18/001 du 9 mars 2018 modifiant et complétant la Loi n° 007/2002 portant Code minier (JO n° spécial, 28 mars 2018) · Art. 240, 241(g)in force 2018-03-09
RoyaltyCopper, Zinc, Lead, Tin, NickelNon-ferrous and/or base metals; detailed classification is in the Mining Regulations (slug list indicative)3.5%gross commercial value (valeur commerciale brute: average international quotation of the merchant product in the month before it leaves the mine/plant)Loi n° 18/001 du 9 mars 2018 modifiant et complétant la Loi n° 007/2002 portant Code minier (JO n° spécial, 28 mars 2018) · Art. 240, 241(d)in force 2018-03-09
RoyaltyGold, Silver, Platinum, Palladium, Platinum-group metalsPrecious metals3.5%gross commercial value (valeur commerciale brute: average international quotation of the merchant product in the month before it leaves the mine/plant)Loi n° 18/001 du 9 mars 2018 modifiant et complétant la Loi n° 007/2002 portant Code minier (JO n° spécial, 28 mars 2018) · Art. 240, 241(e)in force 2018-03-09
RoyaltyIron oreIron and ferrous metals1%gross commercial value (valeur commerciale brute: average international quotation of the merchant product in the month before it leaves the mine/plant)Loi n° 18/001 du 9 mars 2018 modifiant et complétant la Loi n° 007/2002 portant Code minier (JO n° spécial, 28 mars 2018) · Art. 240, 241(c)in force 2018-03-09
RoyaltyDiamond (industrial)Precious and coloured stones6%gross commercial value (valeur commerciale brute: average international quotation of the merchant product in the month before it leaves the mine/plant)Loi n° 18/001 du 9 mars 2018 modifiant et complétant la Loi n° 007/2002 portant Code minier (JO n° spécial, 28 mars 2018) · Art. 240, 241(f)in force 2018-03-09
RoyaltyAll mineralsIndustrial minerals, solid hydrocarbons and other substances not cited elsewhere; 0% for common construction materials1%gross commercial value (valeur commerciale brute: average international quotation of the merchant product in the month before it leaves the mine/plant)Loi n° 18/001 du 9 mars 2018 modifiant et complétant la Loi n° 007/2002 portant Code minier (JO n° spécial, 28 mars 2018) · Art. 241(a)-(b)in force 2018-03-09
State free-carried interestAll minerals10% of share capital ceded to the State on grant of an exploitation permit, free of charges and non-dilutable; a further 5% at each permit renewal10%Loi n° 18/001 du 9 mars 2018 modifiant et complétant la Loi n° 007/2002 portant Code minier (JO n° spécial, 28 mars 2018) · Art. 71(d), 80(h)in force 2018-03-09
Corporate income tax (mining)All minerals30%taxable profitLoi n° 18/001 du 9 mars 2018 modifiant et complétant la Loi n° 007/2002 portant Code minier (JO n° spécial, 28 mars 2018) · Art. 247in force 2018-03-09
Windfall / resource-rent taxAll mineralsApplies when commodity prices rise more than 25% above those in the project's bankable feasibility study; income taxed here is excluded from the 30% profit tax50%excess profits (super-profits) determined from gross operating surplusLoi n° 18/001 du 9 mars 2018 modifiant et complétant la Loi n° 007/2002 portant Code minier (JO n° spécial, 28 mars 2018) · Art. 251 bisin force 2018-03-09
Local beneficiation requirementAll mineralsHolders of mining rights valid at entry into force had three years to process and transform their minerals in the DRC—Loi n° 18/001 du 9 mars 2018 modifiant et complétant la Loi n° 007/2002 portant Code minier (JO n° spécial, 28 mars 2018) · Art. 342 terin force 2018-03-09
Stability periodAll mineralsFiscal, customs and exchange stability for 5 years from entry into force of the 2018 Code (existing rights) or from grant of the exploitation right (rights from valid exploration permits); for rights in force on 9 Mar 2018 the window ended 9 Mar 20235 yearsLoi n° 18/001 du 9 mars 2018 modifiant et complétant la Loi n° 007/2002 portant Code minier (JO n° spécial, 28 mars 2018) · Art. 276 al. 2; Art. 342 bisin force 2018-03-09

Rates and terms as set in the cited law or regulation; agreements with individual projects can differ. Not legal or tax advice.

Deals and financing (11)

  1. 2026-06-29 · Acquisition · signed

    Democratic Republic of the Congo (State) → CRC (Jinchuan Group International Resources) · Kinsenda copper mine (permit renewal to 2036)

    Jinchuan Group International's subsidiary agreed to transfer 5% of Kinsenda directly to the DRC State under the 2018 Mining Code following renewal of the Kinsenda mining permit to 2036.

    official release

  2. 2026-04-07 · Acquisition · signed · US$300 m

    Preeminence Holdings Limited (Chengtun Mining Group) → Novel Mining and Services Limited (Nkoyi Leopard Mining and Investment) · Unnamed DRC copper-cobalt mining right (60% held via Nkoyi JV)

    Chengtun Mining agreed to pay USD 300 million for 50% of Abu Dhabi-based Novel Mining's Nkoyi, which holds 60% of a copper-cobalt mining right in the DRC, giving Chengtun an indirect 30% interest.

    official release

  3. 2026-02-03 · Acquisition · announced

    Orion Critical Mineral Consortium → Glencore · Kamoto Copper Company and Mutanda Mining

    Orion CMC and Glencore signed a non-binding MoU for Orion CMC to acquire 40% of Glencore's interests in KCC and Mutanda, valued at a combined enterprise value of about USD 9 billion, with rights to direct its share of output to nominated buyers.

    official release

  4. 2025-12-05 · Equity investment · announced

    U.S. International Development Finance Corporation → Gécamines SA / Mercuria Energy Trading joint venture · Gécamines-Mercuria mineral commercialisation JV

    DFC announced an equity investment in a Gécamines-Mercuria joint venture that markets copper, cobalt and other critical minerals from the DRC.

    official release

  5. 2025-06-04 · Acquisition · completed · US$367 m

    International Resources Holding → Denham Capital (seller of Alphamin stake) · Bisie tin mine (Alphamin Resources)

    IRH agreed to buy about 56% of Alphamin Resources, owner of the Bisie tin mine in the DRC, from a Denham Capital fund at CAD 0.70 per share; the purchase completed on 22 July 2025.

    official release

  6. 2025-05-07 · Acquisition · announced

    KoBold Metals → AVZ Minerals Limited · Manono lithium deposit (Roche Dure)

    KoBold Metals and AVZ Minerals agreed on a framework for KoBold to buy AVZ's interests in the Manono lithium deposit in the DRC, amid AVZ's dispute with the Congolese state over the deposit.

    official release

  7. 2024-04-02 · Acquisition · signed

    Democratic Republic of the Congo (State) → Ruashi Holdings (Jinchuan Group International Resources) · Ruashi copper-cobalt mine (permit renewal to 2039)

    Jinchuan Group International agreed to transfer 5% of Ruashi SAS to the DRC State at nil consideration, as required by the 2018 Mining Code on renewal of the Ruashi mining permit to 2039.

    official release

  8. 2024-04-01 · Offtake · announced

    Electra Battery Materials Corporation → Eurasian Resources Group S.à r.l. (Metalkol) · Metalkol RTR cobalt hydroxide to Electra's Ontario refinery

    Electra and ERG signed a binding letter of intent for ERG to supply 3,000 t/y of cobalt in hydroxide from its Metalkol operation in the DRC to Electra's Ontario cobalt sulphate refinery for three years from 2026.

    official release

  9. 2023-10-23 · Joint venture · signed

    Jinxiang Lithium (Zijin Mining) → La Congolaise d'Exploitation Minière (COMINIERE) · Manono lithium northeast project (permit PR15775)

    Zijin's Manono Lithium joint venture with state-owned COMINIERE (61:39) obtained the exploration permit for the Manono northeast lithium project, with USD 33.44 million owed back to Zijin for its earlier Dathcom stake credited toward its 61% interest.

    official release

  10. 2023-07-18 · Strategic partnership · signed · US$800 m

    Gécamines → CMOC Group; Tenke Fungurume Mining S.A. · Tenke Fungurume copper-cobalt mine

    CMOC, Tenke Fungurume Mining and Gécamines signed a settlement of their royalty dispute: TFM pays Gécamines USD 800 million over 2023-2028, commits at least USD 1.2 billion of dividends to it, and grants it a 20% subcontracting right and offtake of 20% of TFM products.

    official release

and 1 earlier deals

Mines and facilities (28)

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