DRC Mining Export Prices Mixed as Gold, Cobalt and Tin Rise While Copper and Nickel Decline
DRC Mining Export Prices Update: Gold, Cobalt and Tin Gain as Copper, Nickel Fall
The prices of several mining commodities exported by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) recorded mixed movements during the week of July 13–18, according to the latest price list released by the Ministry of Foreign Trade.
Gold, Cobalt and Tin Record Gains
Among the commodities posting gains, cobalt edged up from US$55,613.00 to US$55,618.00 per tonne.
Gold also strengthened, rising from US$130.77 to US$134.30 per kilogram.
Zinc increased from US$3,494.90 to US$3,540.90 per tonne, while niobium concentrate climbed from US$5,943.70 to US$5,966.24 per tonne.
Tin registered one of the strongest increases during the period, with its price rising from US$50,678.75 to US$52,405.00 per tonne.
Copper and Nickel Continue to Weaken
Despite gains in several minerals, copper continued its downward trend, slipping from US$13,258.50 to US$13,241.05 per tonne.
Nickel also declined, falling from US$14,578.36 to US$14,415.41 per tonne.
Tantalum recorded a marginal decrease, with its price easing from US$762.50 to US$760.00 per kilogram.
The reported figures for germanium indicate a sharp drop from US$1,090,125 to US$10,195.88 per kilogram.
However, the values appear inconsistent and should be independently verified, as they may reflect a reporting or typographical error.
Tshisekedi Bans Unauthorized Military Presence at Mining Sites
Meanwhile, President Félix Tshisekedi has reiterated a strict ban on the occupation or unauthorized presence of military personnel and members of the security forces at mining sites, except during legally authorized missions or operations expressly ordered by the competent authorities.
According to the official report of the Council of Ministers, read by the government spokesperson, the President warned that unauthorized military activity at mining sites undermines governance in the extractive sector.
“Such a situation fosters negative perceptions about the governance of our natural resources, weakens control mechanisms, promotes illicit circuits and undermines the government’s efforts to ensure responsible, transparent exploitation in accordance with international standards,” the report quoted the President as saying.
President Tshisekedi stressed that such practices cannot be allowed to undermine state authority, damage the country’s international reputation, weaken ongoing mining sector reforms, or erode the confidence of investors and both national and international partners.
The Democratic Republic of Congo remains one of the world’s leading producers of strategic minerals, including copper, cobalt, tin and tantalum, making commodity price movements and mining governance key indicators for the country’s economic outlook.
