DRC Mineral Export Prices Trend Upward on Global Markets
DRC Mineral Export Prices Rise as Demand for Copper, Cobalt, and Nickel Strengthens in January 2026
According to the official mineral export price lists published by the Ministry of Foreign Trade, several mineral products exported by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) recorded overall price increases on international markets during the period from January 12 to 17, 2026.
This upward trend reflects strong global demand and a positive momentum in the country’s mining exports, particularly for strategic minerals.
Tin registered a notable increase, rising from 42,708.75 to 43,123.33. Zinc followed a similar trend, climbing from 3,074.25 to 3,133.45. Cobalt—an essential mineral for the global energy transition—also posted gains, increasing from 52,107.00 to 53,534.00.
Copper, one of the DRC’s leading export commodities, recorded a significant rise from 12,366.60 to 12,874.05, confirming sustained international demand. Silver edged up slightly, moving from 2.51 to 2.55, while nickel showed a sharper increase, jumping from 14,836.34 to 16,327.29.
Mineral concentrates also experienced positive movements. Tin concentrate increased from 13,624.09 to 13,756.34, tantalum concentrate from 13,739.11 to 14,175.70, and niobium concentrate recorded a marginal rise from 5,586.81 to 5,595.80.
However, not all minerals followed the upward trend. Gold prices dipped slightly from 143.86 to 143.83, while tantalum recorded a more pronounced decline, falling from 368.0 to 289.3.
Overall, these price movements illustrate the dynamic nature of the mining sector, shaped by shifts in global demand, international price fluctuations, and domestic production capacity.
