Resumption of Copper Transport in the DRC Sparks Concerns Over Border Bottlenecks
Trucks loaded with thousands of tons of copper in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have recommenced their journey toward the Zambian border, accompanied by security escorts, after a recent wildcat strike, according to sources briefed on the matter. Approximately 2,700 trucks, carrying around 89,000 tons of copper, had been stranded in Kolwezi due to drivers demanding a risk allowance of $700 per journey, as reported by Reuters on November 7.
The sudden release of the trucks is expected to worsen the situation at the border, where existing bottlenecks were causing delays.
Hippy Tjivikua, the CEO of Walvis Bay Corridor Group, expressed concerns, stating, “There were already bottlenecks at the border, so the pileup will take some time to clear.”
Jackson Banda, the secretary-general of the SADC Drivers Association, predicted that the trucks would likely face extended queues at the Zambian border, adding to the challenges faced by truck drivers on the arduous journey from the central African copperbelt mines to ports in Namibia, South Africa, and Tanzania. These truckers play a crucial role in delivering materials and equipment to the mines.
The strike, which began almost a week ago, had stranded copper and cobalt shipments from major mines, including Ivanhoe Mines’ Kamoa Kakula, CMOC Group’s Tenke Fungurume, Glencore’s Kamoto, and Sicomines’ Mashamba West.
