DRC’s Strategic Minerals Surge as Global Demand Intensifies at End-2025
Global Raw Material Prices Soar in Late 2025, Strengthening DRC’s Dominant Position in Copper, Cobalt, and Gold
The upward trajectory of strategic raw materials has become increasingly evident as 2025 draws to a close. According to newly released data from the Central Bank of Congo (BCC), copper, cobalt, and gold continue to rise on international markets, underscoring strong global demand and reaffirming the Democratic Republic of Congo’s pivotal role in global supply chains.
Copper prices increased by 4.2 percent over the past week, reaching 11,443 dollars per ton. This performance is attributed to tightening global supply and the acceleration of investments linked to the energy transition.
Compared with the end of December 2024, copper has posted a substantial gain of 30.2 percent, and 27.6 percent year-on-year, consolidating its status as one of the most sought-after minerals worldwide.
This strong price environment is particularly advantageous for the DRC, the second-largest producer in Africa, where export revenues are expected to rise significantly in the final quarter of the year.
Cobalt, after several weeks of moderate fluctuations, held steady at 47,894 dollars per ton, the same level recorded at the end of November 2025. However, this weekly stability masks a dramatic upward trend: cobalt prices have surged by 99.1 percent since the end of December 2024, nearly doubling in one year.
As a core component in electric battery manufacturing, cobalt remains under sustained pressure due to supply constraints, with more than 70 percent of global output originating from the DRC.
Gold prices also continued their ascent, reaching 4,205 dollars per ounce—a 1.3 percent increase over the past week. On an annual basis, the performance is equally noteworthy, with gains of 59.3 percent compared to the end of 2024 and 59.8 percent year-on-year.
This rally reflects renewed investor interest in safe-haven assets in an environment marked by geopolitical uncertainty and uneven global economic prospects.
The convergence of robust international demand and widespread price increases across key minerals is poised to bolster the DRC’s public revenues, particularly at a time when mining investments remain strong and the country’s role in global supply chains continues to expand.
