Cobalt - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

China’s Germanium Dominance Challenged by New DRC Plant

October 9, 2023October 9, 2023 Constance

A newly built plant in Democratic Republic of Congo aims to produce 30% of the world’s germanium, according to its owner, potentially easing China’s dominance of the metal used in electronics and solar cells. China produces about 60% of germanium, according to Critical Raw Materials Alliance. The Asian nation restricted exports of the metal in August amid an escalation of a tit-for-tat trade war on technology with the US and Europe. The hydrometallurgical facility in the country’s southeast was inaugurated on Wednesday by Congo’s President Felix Tshisekedi. The plant will… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt

DRC’s Prime Minister Launches Workshop for Responsible Supply Standards in the Cobalt Sector

September 29, 2023September 29, 2023 Constance

Prime Minister Jean-Michel Sama Lukonde inaugurated the validation workshop for the General Company of Cobalt’s (EGC) responsible supply standards on September 28, 2023, at the Espace Roméo golf venue in Kinshasa Gombe. The workshop aims to refine the EGC responsible sourcing standards (‘EGC Standards’) developed and approved by the EGC Technical Committee, aligning with the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) laws and standards set by ARECOMS, the Small Scale Mining Assistance and Supervision Service (SAEMAPE), and the Center of Expertise, Evaluation, and Certification of Precious and Semi-Precious Mineral Substances (CEEC).… Read More Here

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EU Nurtures Partnerships with DRC and Zambia to Secure Critical Materials

September 28, 2023September 28, 2023 Constance

The European Union (EU) is working on partnerships with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia to strengthen local industries in the face of growing competition with China for essential resources in the green and digital sectors. A forthcoming memorandum of understanding will signify the EU’s support for cultivating local value chains, especially since a significant portion of critical material processing, such as lithium and cobalt, currently occurs in China. The EU’s objective is to diversify the suppliers of crucial resources and counter China’s substantial infrastructure investments in regions… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Electricity Mining in Zambia

DRC Sets Sights on Electric Battery Value Chain in Global EV Market

September 27, 2023September 27, 2023 Constance

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is poised to become a key player in the global electric vehicle (EV) market, with projections indicating a substantial growth from $370.86 billion in 2021 to a staggering $1,298.32 billion by 2027, according to Bloomberg. To solidify its position, the DRC recently hosted a workshop on electric battery value chains, in collaboration with the Congolese Battery Council (CCB) and the US Department of State. Minister Nicolas Kazadi stressed the importance of a cross-border and regional approach, highlighting the need for cooperation with neighboring countries… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt

Cobalt Prices Slide in 2023 in DRC, Posing Climate Change Challenge

September 27, 2023October 1, 2023 Constance

Since the start of the current year (2023), the price of cobalt, a strategic mineral for the fight against climate change, has continued to fall on international markets. This mineral, highly coveted in particular by automobile manufacturers, should once again experience a drop in price during the period from September 25 to 30, 2023, inform experts from the National Mercurial Commission of the Ministry of Foreign Trade of the Democratic Republic of Congo ( DRC). According to the source, a tonne of cobalt should trade at USD 32,731.00 this week… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Artisanal mining Battery Metals Cobalt Copper Mining in Zambia

DRC Partners with Buenassa for Pioneering Copper-Cobalt Plant

September 26, 2023September 26, 2023 Constance

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) has embarked on a strategic initiative to formalize artisanal mining while contributing to the global shift towards electric vehicles. DR Congo is a major player in the green-energy transition, being a leading supplier of cobalt, a crucial element in electric vehicle batteries, and ranking among the world’s top copper producers. To bolster these efforts, DRC is throwing its support behind Buenassa, a domestically owned company, to establish a new copper-cobalt plant. This pioneering project is set to cost approximately $350 million, with Delphos… Read More Here

Mining technology Battery Metals Cobalt Copper Diamond Environment Social Governance (ESG) Equipment & Technology Gold International

4IR Technologies to Boost Competitiveness of Africa’s Mining Industry

September 26, 2023September 26, 2023 Constance

In addition to serving as an important aspect of the global energy transition, critical mineral resources represent a crucial source of revenue for many African nations. As a result, the continent is well-positioned to leverage and embrace Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies – including artificial intelligence (AI), automation, data analytics and predictive modeling – to optimize production processes, enhance decision-making and render its mining sector more competitive globally. Set to define the future of mining, real-time data analytics provide additional insights into underlying mining systems and enable short interval control… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Battery Metals Cobalt Copper Exploration

KoBold Metals Aims to Revolutionize Copper Mining in Zambia

September 25, 2023September 25, 2023 Constance

KoBold Metals, backed by a group of influential billionaires, including Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, has unveiled ambitious plans to establish a copper-cobalt mine in Zambia within the next decade. The California-based company, which allocated $150 million to the Mingomba project earlier this year, intends to explore additional copper deposits at this site, hailed as the world’s highest-grade undeveloped copper resource. KoBold, boasting the world’s leading mining company, BHP, among its shareholders, anticipates completing further exploration at the property in the coming year. Mfikeyi Makayi, CEO of KoBold Metals, remarked,… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt Mining revenue

DRC Claims Only 3% of the Global Cobalt Value Chain

September 23, 2023September 23, 2023 Constance

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the world’s leading producer of cobalt, holding nearly 70% of the world’s reserves of this mineral, captures very little of the revenue generated in this sector. According to the figures recorded by Professor Jean-Baptiste Kushinganine during the first day of the just ended DRC-Africa 2023 forum on battery metals, which was organized in Kinshasa, from September 20 to 21, 2023, only 3% captured from the global cobalt value chain. “Confined to the role of exporters of raw materials, the DRC is at the bottom… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper

Human Rights Abuses in the DRC’s Cobalt and Copper Mining Industry

September 18, 2023September 18, 2023 Constance

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is known for its abundant reserves of cobalt and copper, crucial components for the production of rechargeable batteries that power our modern world, from electric vehicles to mobile phones. However, the expansion of industrial-scale mines in the DRC has come at a significant human cost, with entire communities facing forced eviction and rampant human rights abuses. A recent report by Amnesty International and the DRC-based organization Initiative pour la Bonne Gouvernance et les Droits Humains (IBGDH) titled “Powering Change or Business as Usual?”… Read More Here