DRC Sets July Deadline for Mining Companies to Implement Local Ownership Rules
DRC Requires Mining Firms to Transfer 10% Ownership Stakes to Congolese Nationals Under Mining Code
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will begin enforcing a long-delayed requirement requiring mining companies to allocate local ownership stakes to Congolese nationals from July 31, 2026, as the government moves to increase local participation in the country’s mining sector.
The requirement, introduced under the 2018 Mining Code, requires mining companies to transfer 10% of their equity to Congolese citizens, including a 5% stake reserved for employees.
However, no mining company has yet implemented the provision due to unresolved questions surrounding its application.
The Ministry of Mines confirmed the enforcement deadline following discussions with mining companies on the implementation of a decree outlining how the ownership transfer should be carried out.
Major operators in the DRC, including global copper and cobalt producers, have raised concerns over the potential impact of the rule on the sector and have previously sought more clarity on the process.
In January, the government instructed mining companies to demonstrate compliance by the end of July or risk facing regulatory action.
The latest discussions between authorities and industry representatives resulted in an agreement to make limited technical adjustments to the implementation framework before the decree is finalised.
The move comes as mineral-rich African countries increasingly seek greater economic benefits from their natural resources, particularly as demand rises for critical minerals such as copper and cobalt used in clean energy technologies.
The DRC, the world’s largest cobalt producer and one of the leading copper producers, has been pushing for reforms aimed at increasing local value creation and ensuring more Congolese citizens benefit from mining activities.
Authorities are also exploring financing mechanisms, including interest-free loans and cooperative structures, to help employees acquire their mandated ownership stakes.
Under the 2018 Mining Code, the Congolese government already receives a free, non-dilutable 10% stake in mining projects and has the option to increase its ownership through additional purchases during licence renewals.
The enforcement of the local ownership requirement marks another step in the DRC’s efforts to reshape its mining sector and strengthen national participation in one of the world’s most important sources of copper and cobalt.
