DRC Mineral Prices Rise Sharply at Start of February, with Copper as the Sole Exception
DRC Mineral Prices Increase in Early February 2026 as Global Demand Strengthens, Ministry Data Shows
Mineral prices in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) recorded a broad upward trend at the beginning of February, according to market data released by the Ministry of Foreign Trade on Monday, February 2, 2026.
Nearly all major commodities posted gains, underscoring sustained demand on international markets, with copper standing out as the sole exception.
Copper, a pillar of the Congolese mining sector, experienced a slight decline, with its price easing from USD 13,031.40 to USD 12,943.40 per metric ton. While the drop remains modest, it has drawn the attention of industry stakeholders given copper’s central role in the national economy and global energy transition.
In contrast, several strategic minerals posted notable increases. Aluminum ingots rose from USD 1,487.29 to USD 1,501.01 per ton, while silver surged from USD 3.06 to USD 3.43 per gram. Gold, traditionally viewed as a safe-haven asset, climbed sharply to USD 163.31 per gram, up from USD 153.29.
Cobalt, a critical input for battery manufacturing and green technologies, recorded a marginal but symbolically important increase, moving from USD 55,577 to USD 55,582 per ton.
This continued strength follows the lifting of the temporary export suspension by ARECOMS on October 16, 2025. Since that decision, cobalt prices have stabilized at around USD 50,000 per ton, compared with roughly USD 21,000 prior to the suspension.
Other technology linked minerals also performed strongly. Tin, widely used in electronics, is now priced at USD 54,128 per ton, while germanium rose to USD 5,600.25 per ton, reflecting growing demand from the high-tech and photovoltaic industries.
Tantalum, zinc, niobium concentrate, and nickel also registered price increases, further reinforcing the DRC’s position as a strategic supplier in the global raw materials market.
Overall, the early-February price movements highlight both the resilience of Congolese mineral exports and the country’s increasing importance in supply chains linked to energy transition and advanced technologies.
