Cobalt - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

DRC Seeks Mining Partners to Diversify Away from Chinese Dominance

January 19, 2025January 19, 2025 Constance

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the world’s top cobalt producer and a key source of copper and other critical minerals, is actively seeking new mining investors to diversify its partnerships and reduce heavy reliance on Chinese companies. This includes pursuing investments from Saudi Arabia, the European Union, and India, according to Marcellin Paluku, Deputy Cabinet Director in the Ministry of Mines. Chinese companies, many of them state-backed, have emerged as the largest investors in the DRC in recent years, significantly expanding their footprint in the country’s mining sector. CMOC… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Artisanal mining Cobalt Copper Lithium

South Kivu’s Mineral Wealth Lost to Illicit Mining, Earning Under $1 Million Annually

January 19, 2025January 19, 2025 Constance

South Kivu, a province rich in copper, cobalt, lithium, and other valuable minerals, generates less than $1 million annually due to widespread illicit mining activities. This stark contrast between the province’s mineral potential and its economic output was highlighted by Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi during a recent meeting with local stakeholders. Despite its mineral wealth, South Kivu remains one of the poorest regions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a situation that Governor Purusi attributes to the illegal exploitation of its resources. “The mining sector does not even generate $1… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt Corporate News

CMOC Group Achieves Record Cobalt Production with African Expansion

January 8, 2025January 8, 2025 Constance

China’s CMOC Group set a new benchmark in global cobalt production in 2024, thanks to a rapid increase in output from its African mining operations. The company announced it produced 114,165 tonnes of cobalt last year, nearly doubling the 55,526 tonnes achieved in 2023. This output far exceeded its 2024 guidance of 70,000 tonnes, solidifying CMOC’s status as the world’s leading cobalt supplier. In 2023, CMOC overtook Glencore as the largest global cobalt producer, driven by significant production gains from its Kisanfu mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Artisanal mining Cobalt

DRC Reports Decline in Child Labor in Cobalt Mines Amid Controversy

January 4, 2025January 4, 2025 Constance

In its report published on December 31, 2024, the National Human Rights Commission of the Democratic Republic of Congo (CNDH) highlighted a decrease in the number of children working in cobalt mines in the Haut-Katanga and Lualaba provinces. However, the reported figures have sparked controversy. Prior to 2019, it was estimated that 360,000 children were working in these mines, according to organizations such as UNICEF. In contrast, the Congolese government reported a much lower figure of 14,850 child laborers. The CNDH, after consultation with Mines.cd, now estimates that the total… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper Economy

DRC Govt Takes Charge of Kamoa Mining Product Sales

December 15, 2024December 15, 2024 Constance

The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has announced its direct involvement in the sale of mining products from Kamoa, a company in which the State holds a 20% stake. This move aims to better secure national economic interests within the crucial mining sector. Kamoa’s turnover is projected to reach $3 billion, and as part of this new strategy, the Government, through the Minister of the Portfolio, will oversee the pricing and sale of mining products. Minister Jean-Lucien Bussa made this announcement during the Estates General of the… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper

DRC Considers Mineral Management for Energy Transition and 2050 Emergence

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 Constance

From December 3 to 5, 2024, the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), mining companies, and civil society convened in Kinshasa to discuss strategic actions for the country’s emergence by 2050, focusing on its critical minerals essential to the global energy transition. These include copper, cobalt, lithium, iron, nickel, manganese, germanium, tantalum, tungsten, tin, rare earths, phosphates, and geothermal deposits. The Ministry of Mines and the Resource Matters organization organized this forum to gather input from diverse stakeholders, contributing to the Congolese government’s development of a strategic plan… Read More Here

Cobalt Events & Expos Lithium Mining in DRC

DRC’s Vast Mineral Wealth Faces Control and Benefit Challenges Amid Global Energy Transition

December 5, 2024December 5, 2024 Constance

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of Africa’s most mineral-rich nations, boasting vast reserves of essential resources like lithium and cobalt—key components in batteries that are critical for the global transition to renewable energy. Despite this enormous potential, the DRC struggles to exercise full control over its mineral wealth or reap significant benefits from its exploitation, largely dominated by multinational corporations such as CMOC, Glencore, and Zijin. These concerns were highlighted by Faustin Biringanine, Director General of the Mining Fund for Future Generations (FOMIN), during the panel titled… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt

Cobalt Demand Gives DRC Strategic Edge in Europe’s Green Energy Race

November 27, 2024November 27, 2024 Constance

The surging demand for materials critical to electromobility, particularly cobalt, has thrust the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) into the spotlight, offering it newfound leverage as Europe scrambles to secure resources for its energy transition goals. Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, a member of the European Parliament, emphasizes the need for a united EU approach to ensure a sustainable and ethical supply of raw materials. “The extraction processes must align with our vision of avoiding exploitation and eradicating child labor under horrendous conditions,” Vedrenne, from the pro-European Renew Europe group, told DW. Cobalt, a… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper Corporate News

Gécamines Seeks to Block Chemaf Sale to China

November 24, 2024November 24, 2024 Constance

The Democratic Republic of Congo’s state mining company, Gécamines, has submitted a $1 million bid to acquire the cobalt and copper assets of financially troubled Chemaf. This move seeks to prevent further Chinese control of critical metals in the mineral-rich country, according to sources close to the matter. Chemaf, a partner of global commodities trader Trafigura, had previously agreed to sell its assets to China’s state-owned industrial giant, Norinco, in June 2024. These assets include copper and cobalt mines critical for electric vehicles and clean energy infrastructure. However, Gécamines, which… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Corporate News

Kamoto Copper Company’s Bank Accounts Unfrozen Amid Financial Reforms

November 17, 2024November 17, 2024 Constance

Kamoto Copper Company (KCC), a leading cobalt producer in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has had its bank accounts unfrozen following a decision reached during a working session at the Ministry of Finance on Tuesday. The meeting, which was attended by the Governor of Lualaba, Fifi Masuka, and KCC representatives, marked a significant step towards resolving the financial restrictions that have impacted the company since November 2022. The decision to unfreeze KCC’s accounts, according to Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba, is aimed at safeguarding the social interests of the Lualaba… Read More Here