DRC Diamond Exports Reach $67 Million in 2025, Driven Largely by Artisanal Mining

DRC Exports Over 9 Million Carats of Diamonds in 2025 as Artisanal Sector Dominates Production

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) exported diamonds worth an estimated $67.18 million in 2025, according to consolidated provisional data released by the Technical Unit for Mining Coordination and Planning (CTCPM).

In total, diamond exports reached 9,081,140.19 carats during the year, reflecting the continued importance of the diamond sector in the country’s mineral economy.

The data highlights the dominant role of artisanal mining in the export structure. The artisanal sector accounted for 7,929,274.61 carats, generating approximately $54.37 million in export revenue.

By contrast, the industrial sector contributed 1,151,865.58 carats, with an estimated value of $12.80 million, confirming its relatively limited share in the overall diamond trade.

Production Structure Remains Heavily Artisanal

Overall diamond production in the DRC reached 8,127,975.47 carats in 2025. The breakdown underscores the overwhelming weight of small-scale mining operations:

• Artisanal mining: 6,910,621.88 carats (85.02%)
• Industrial mining: 1,205,951.69 carats (14.84%)
• Semi-industrial mining: 11,301.90 carats (0.14%)

This structure reflects longstanding trends in the Congolese diamond industry, where artisanal miners remain the primary producers despite ongoing efforts to expand industrial operations and formalize the sector.

Key Industrial Producers

Within the industrial segment, Anhui Congo Mining Investment Company emerged as the leading producer in 2025, accounting for 1,097,451.33 carats, or approximately 91% of total industrial output.

Other notable industrial operators included:

• Société Anhui-Congo d’Investissement Minier (SACIM) — dominant producer
• Société Minière de Bakwanga — 75,556.39 carats (6%)
• BIHSIU SARL — 32,943.97 carats (3%)

The figures illustrate a high level of concentration within the industrial diamond segment, with one company responsible for the vast majority of production.

Regional Production Concentration

Geographically, diamond production remains heavily concentrated in the country’s traditional mining regions.

Kasai-Oriental maintained its position as the leading center of artisanal diamond production, recording 6,492,010.45 carats, representing approximately 93.94% of artisanal output.

Meanwhile, Tshuapa reported minimal production, with only 6.30 carats recorded during the year.

The 2025 data confirms that the Congolese diamond industry remains structurally dependent on artisanal mining, despite the presence of industrial operators.

For policymakers and industry stakeholders, the challenge moving forward will be to improve productivity, strengthen regulation, and attract investment capable of modernizing the sector while preserving livelihoods in mining communities.

Efforts to formalize artisanal mining and expand industrial capacity are expected to play a decisive role in increasing export revenues and enhancing the long-term sustainability of the diamond value chain in the Democratic Republic of Congo.