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DRC's Mineral Prices and Security Challenges Shape Economic Outlook for 2025 1 Mining in DRC 

DRC’s Mineral Prices and Security Challenges Shape Economic Outlook for 2025

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In its economic outlook note for the first week of December 2025, released on January 9, the Central Bank of Congo (BCC) reported that as of December 30, 2024, the price of Brent crude oil stood at USD 74.15 per barrel, reflecting a slight increase of 0.57% from the previous week. The BCC attributed this rise to positive economic prospects for China, particularly after the country announced a recovery plan. However, on a yearly basis, the price of Brent crude has dropped by 4.78% compared to December 2023. Regarding copper,… Read More Here
Zambia’s Northwestern Mining Boom Creates 30,000 Jobs and Boosts Copper Outlook 2 Mining in Zambia Copper 

Zambia’s Northwestern Mining Boom Creates 30,000 Jobs and Boosts Copper Outlook

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The mining sector in Northwestern Province generated an additional 30,000 jobs last year, driven by major projects like the $2 billion expansion at Barrick’s Lumwana superpit. Minister of Northwestern Province, Robert Lihefu, highlighted the impressive growth of the sector in the region, noting that three major projects—Barrick’s Lumwana mine, Kansenseli Gold Mine, and the Kalengwa Mine, which was reopened by President Hakainde Hichilema in November after 46 years of closure—accounted for approximately 27,000 jobs. The remaining 3,000 jobs were created by smaller mining operations within the province. Looking ahead, the… Read More Here
Zambia Poised to Achieve 1 Million Tonnes of Copper Output by Late 2025 3 Mining in Zambia Copper Economy 

Zambia Poised to Achieve 1 Million Tonnes of Copper Output by Late 2025

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Copper production in Zambia is forecasted to reach one million tonnes annually by the close of 2025, according to the Ministry of Mines. Permanent Secretary Hapenga Kabeta attributes this growth to increasing production levels at key mining operations, including Barrick Lumwana, Trident in Kalumbila, and Kansanshi Mines. This achievement represents significant progress toward President Hakainde Hichilema’s ambitious target of three million tonnes annually by 2030. Copper production has been steadily climbing since 2022, shortly after President Hichilema assumed office. In a notable turnaround, operations resumed at Mopani Mines and Konkola… Read More Here
Global Oil Price Hike Boosts DRC Revenue but Poses Local Economic Challenges 4 Mining in DRC Oil & Gas Petroleum 

Global Oil Price Hike Boosts DRC Revenue but Poses Local Economic Challenges

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The price of a barrel of oil, one of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) key export products, rose by 1.00% on international markets, reaching $73.38 during the week of December 20–27, 2024, up from $72.65 the previous week, according to the Central Bank of Congo (BCC). This rebound follows a 1.53% decline the prior week and is attributed to China’s announcement of an expansionary fiscal policy aimed at revitalizing its economy. The price increase presents mixed outcomes for the DRC: Economists emphasize the need for balanced management of these… Read More Here
Katende Hydropower Project Resumes Promising Economic Revival in Central DRC 5 Mining in DRC Hydro power plant 

Katende Hydropower Project Resumes Promising Economic Revival in Central DRC

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The long-awaited resumption of construction on the Katende hydroelectric power station in Kasaï Central has gained momentum with the delivery of over 120 tonnes of materials from Lubumbashi. This milestone signals a renewed commitment by the Congolese government to address the region’s energy deficit and stimulate economic growth. Funded directly by the public treasury to bypass bureaucratic delays, the Katende project reflects a strategic shift in approach. With 45% of construction already completed, the remaining work will be executed in three phases. The first phase is expected to deliver 16… Read More Here
DRC Minister Receives Report Exposing South Kivu Mining Violations 6 Mining in DRC Governance 

DRC Minister Receives Report Exposing South Kivu Mining Violations

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The Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) Minister of Mines, Kizito Pakabomba, received a detailed report on January 8, 2025, from the Special Commission tasked with assessing the compliance of mining activities in South Kivu. After 15 days of rigorous investigations, the Commission reviewed operations of 18 out of 30 mining companies summoned by the Ministry of Mines. The report uncovered significant violations of the Mining Code and regulations, including: Minister Pakabomba commended the Commission for its thorough work and reaffirmed his ministry’s commitment to fostering sustainable and lawful mining practices.… Read More Here
Ivanhoe Mines provides update to 2025 capital expenditure guidance 7 Mining in DRC Copper Corporate News Press Release 

Ivanhoe Mines provides update to 2025 capital expenditure guidance

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Ivanhoe Mines’ (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) Executive Co-Chair Robert Friedland and President Marna Cloete announced the company’s fourth quarter and full-year production results for the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and the ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc mine, also in the DRC. In addition, the company has announced its 2025 production guidance for Kamoa-Kakula and Kipushi, as well as updated 2025 group capital expenditure guidance. Kamoa-Kakula delivered record production in 2024 of 437,061 tonnes of copper in concentrate, a 12% year-on-year increase, following the ramp up… Read More Here
DRC Exposes Illicit Resource Exploitation by AFC-M23 Coalition 8 Mining in DRC 

DRC Exposes Illicit Resource Exploitation by AFC-M23 Coalition

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The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has accused the AFC-M23 coalition of illicitly exploiting natural resources, generating over $800,000 in monthly revenues. This revelation was made by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thérèse Kayikwamba Wagner, during a press briefing on January 9, 2025, organized by Minister of Communication and Media, Patrick Muyaya. A report by the UN Panel of Experts, cited by Minister Kayikwamba, highlights that over 10,000 artisanal miners work in Rubaya under the coalition’s administration. Taxes are levied at rates of $7 per kilogram of coltan and $4… Read More Here
Ivanhoe Mines Launches an Offering of US$600,000,000 Senior Notes Due 2030 9 Mining in DRC Corporate News News in Brief Press Release 

Ivanhoe Mines Launches an Offering of US$600,000,000 Senior Notes Due 2030

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Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) announces that it has commenced an offering (the “Offering”) of an aggregate principal amount of US$600,000,000 senior notes due 2030 (the “Notes”). The Notes will be senior unsecured obligations of the company and will be guaranteed on a senior basis by certain of the company’s subsidiaries (the “Guarantors”). In connection with the Offering, the company entered into a US$120.0 million revolving credit facility agreement dated December 22, 2024, with, amongst others, the Guarantors and the lenders named therein. The gross proceeds from the Offering… Read More Here
Tshopo Province Cracks Down on Illegal Mining Operations 10 Mining in DRC Artisanal mining 

Tshopo Province Cracks Down on Illegal Mining Operations

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The Tshopo provincial government has initiated decisive measures to address illegal mining operations, which have been rampant in the region for years. A total of 142 mining companies are reportedly operating without proper authorization, leading to significant revenue losses for the province. In a press release dated January 6, 2025, the government instructed all managers of mining and exploitation companies to register with the provincial Ministry of Mines by January 20, 2025. Companies failing to comply will face legal sanctions. Provincial Minister of Mines, Thomas Mesemo wa Mesemo, expressed frustration… Read More Here

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