Zijin to Launch DRC’s First Lithium Production at Manono in June
China’s Zijin Mining to Begin Lithium Production at Congo’s Manono Deposit in June
Zijin Mining will begin the Democratic Republic of Congo’s first lithium production in June at the disputed Manono deposit, with exports set to commence immediately thereafter, according to the company and state miner Cominiere.
The development marks a significant step in China’s strategy to secure critical mineral supplies in Africa.
Zijin had previously targeted first-quarter 2026 for initial output but confirmed that the timeline has been revised to June to reflect updated project planning.
Disputed Asset
The Manono resource one of the world’s largest undeveloped hard-rock lithium deposits is currently the subject of arbitration following the Democratic Republic of Congo’s cancellation of Australian miner AVZ Minerals’ permit.
The government subsequently reassigned part of the project area to Manono Lithium, a joint venture between Zijin and Cominiere.
Zijin holds a 61% stake in the joint venture, with Cominiere and the Congolese state owning the balance.
“Manono Lithium will produce its first tonnes in June, and exports will begin immediately after,” Cominiere Managing Director Alpha Monga Mwidia said on the sidelines of the Mining Indaba conference in Cape Town.
AVZ declined to comment. A source close to the company said blasting had taken place this week near an area where AVZ still maintains staff, raising safety and procedural concerns.
Zijin and Cominiere did not disclose production volumes or first-year export targets, stating that figures were not immediately available.
Market and Geopolitical Context
The project launch comes amid continued weakness in lithium prices, which have fallen approximately 86% from late-2022 peaks due to China’s stockpiling and increased domestic output.
At the same time, the United States has been seeking to redirect Congolese mineral supply toward Western markets through short-term contracting strategies, challenging China’s long-standing dominance in Africa’s critical minerals sector.
Under the joint venture agreement, all first-phase production including Cominiere’s share will be marketed and sold by Zijin. Cominiere did not contribute to the project’s roughly $1 billion development cost but will receive revenue proportional to its equity stake.
Both Zijin and Cominiere maintain that AVZ’s arbitration proceedings will not affect construction timelines or operational plans, asserting that activities remain compliant with Congolese law.
By contrast, U.S.-backed KoBold Metals, which holds exploration rights on the opposite side of the Manono deposit, has stated it will not begin construction until ownership disputes are fully resolved.
Cominiere is supplying 44 megawatts of power to the project through its subsidiary Katamba Mining and plans to scale capacity to 120 megawatts to support broader mining activities and surrounding communities.
The start of lithium production at Manono positions the Democratic Republic of Congo as an emerging player in the global battery minerals supply chain, adding to its dominant role in cobalt production.
