Decline in Zinc Ore Production Hits Mining Sector in DRC
Mining companies in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have experienced a significant reduction in zinc ore production over the past two years, according to recent statistics from the Central Bank of Congo (BCC).
The BCC’s report, released last week, indicates a notable decrease in zinc production, with only 11,287 tonnes produced in 2023.
This marks a decline of 15.6% compared to the previous year, where production stood at 12,309 tonnes. Moreover, compared to 2021’s production of 16,079 tonnes, the drop is even more significant, estimated at around 29.8%.
Despite this decline in production, the global price of zinc has remained relatively stable at $2,381 per tonne since 2022. This stability in prices has occurred despite the observed decrease in production levels since 2021.
Based on the 2023 zinc production figures, revenues generated for the Congolese state coffers were approximately $26.8 million at the international market price, as reported by the BCC.
