DRC Bans Copper and Cobalt Concentrate Exports as Kinshasa Pushes Local Processing

DRC Bans Copper and Cobalt Concentrate Exports, Allows Limited Exemptions

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has banned the export of copper and cobalt concentrates as the government moves to accelerate domestic mineral processing and capture more value from its resources.

The measure is contained in an interministerial order dated June 29, 2026, signed by the Ministers of Mines, Foreign Trade and National Economy.

However, the regulation includes a temporary exemption mechanism that could determine how significantly the ban affects mining companies and export volumes.

Under the new rules, mining and processing companies may apply for temporary authorisation to export less-processed materials where technical or economic constraints make local processing difficult.

The decision to grant an exemption rests with the Minister of Mines, although the order does not establish publicly defined quantitative criteria for the volume or duration of such exemptions.

This means the practical impact of the ban will depend largely on how many exemptions are granted and for how long.

Kamoa-Kakula is expected to be among the major mining operations most directly affected, as a significant portion of its copper production has historically been exported as concentrate.

The situation could change as the project’s new on-site smelter ramps up. The facility is designed to produce blister copper and progressively process more of the concentrates generated by the mine locally, reducing the project’s exposure to the export restrictions.

The DRC already exports a substantial share of its copper production as refined metal, with several major operators operating smelting or refining facilities within the country.

As a result, the new restrictions are likely to have a more limited impact on producers that already have domestic processing capacity.

The policy represents Kinshasa’s latest effort to promote value addition within the country’s mining sector.

Its effectiveness, however, will ultimately depend on enforcement and the government’s approach to granting temporary exemptions.

China remains the leading destination for Congolese copper and cobalt, making the new policy significant for regional mineral supply chains and international buyers.