DRC Cobalt Quotas Cut Glencore Production by 51% as Copper Output Surges
DRC Cobalt Quotas Cut Glencore Production 51% as Copper Output Jumps 66% in 2026
Glencore’s cobalt production from its Democratic Republic of Congo operations fell by 51% in the first half of 2026, as the country’s export quota system prompted the mining company to prioritise copper production and retain more cobalt in solution.
Glencore produced 8,700 tonnes of cobalt from its Congolese operations during the first six months of the year, down from 17,700 tonnes during the same period in 2025. The decline was primarily linked to the DRC government’s restrictions on cobalt exports.
At the same time, Glencore’s copper production in the DRC increased significantly. Production from Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) and Mutanda Mining reached 138,400 tonnes, a 66% increase from the previous year.
The contrasting production figures reflect the impact of the quota system on Glencore’s operating decisions.
With cobalt exports restricted, the company has increasingly prioritised copper production while retaining cobalt contained in mixed ore in solution rather than processing and drying it into saleable cobalt hydroxide.
The DRC introduced cobalt export quotas as part of efforts to address oversupply, support prices and exercise greater control over the strategic mineral.
Cobalt is a critical component in batteries used in electric vehicles, energy-storage systems and other advanced technologies.
Glencore has previously indicated that its combined cobalt export allocation for 2026, including volumes carried over from 2025, stands at around 22,800 tonnes.
The company’s experience highlights the broader impact of the DRC’s quota regime on mining operations.
While the policy is intended to stabilise the cobalt market, it is also influencing production strategies and the utilisation of processing capacity.
For the DRC, the policy represents an attempt to strengthen its influence over a mineral in which the country holds a dominant position globally.
For producers such as Glencore, however, the restrictions are forcing adjustments in how copper and cobalt are processed and marketed.
The sharp increase in copper production also underscores the growing importance of copper to Glencore’s Congolese operations as the company navigates the changing regulatory environment for cobalt.
