Global Cobalt Market Jolted by Congo’s Surprise Export Ban Extension 1 Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt 

Global Cobalt Market Jolted by Congo’s Surprise Export Ban Extension

Cobalt futures in China soared on Monday to levels not seen since mid-March, following the Democratic Republic of Congo’s decision to extend its ban on cobalt concentrate exports. Initially implemented in February, the ban has now been prolonged by another three months, significantly disrupting global supply. As the source of over 80% of the world’s cobalt—a key component in electric vehicle (EV) batteries—the DRC’s move is expected to remove more than 100,000 tonnes of cobalt from the global market over a seven-month span, according to industry estimates. Futures contracts for… Read More Here
DRC Extends Cobalt Export Ban Amid Global Supply Squeeze and Rising Prices 2 Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt 

DRC Extends Cobalt Export Ban Amid Global Supply Squeeze and Rising Prices

The Strategic Minerals Market Regulatory and Control Authority (ARECOMS) has announced a three-month extension of the temporary suspension on cobalt exports from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The renewed measure, effective from June 21, 2025, was made public via a press release issued on Saturday, June 21. According to the ARECOMS Board of Directors, led by Patrick Mpoyi Luabeya, the decision stems from continued oversupply in the market. The suspension applies to all cobalt produced across the country—whether sourced from industrial, semi-industrial, artisanal, or small-scale mining operations. This extension… Read More Here
Celsius Exits Opuwo Cobalt Project in Namibia to Prioritize Philippine Flagship 3 International Battery Metals Cobalt 

Celsius Exits Opuwo Cobalt Project in Namibia to Prioritize Philippine Flagship

Celsius Resources is moving forward with plans to divest its 95% interest in the Opuwo Cobalt Project in Namibia, as it sharpens its strategic focus on its flagship Maalinao-Caigutan-Biyog (MCB) Copper-Gold Project in the Philippines. The Opuwo Cobalt Project, one of the largest known cobalt deposits outside the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), is owned by the Opuwo Cobalt Group, in which Celsius holds a 95% stake. In March 2025, Celsius revalued the group’s assets at approximately USD 3.02 million. As of June 30, 2024, all assets under the… Read More Here
President Tshisekedi Launches Major Reform of Artisanal Cobalt Mining in Lualaba 4 Mining in DRC Artisanal mining Cobalt 

President Tshisekedi Launches Major Reform of Artisanal Cobalt Mining in Lualaba

President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi has announced a bold reform initiative targeting the artisanal cobalt mining sector in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), with a strong focus on Lualaba Province. The move signals a major shift in the government’s approach to one of the country’s most vital yet disorganized industries. The announcement was made during the Council of Ministers held on June 13, 2025, in Kolwezi. Government spokesperson Patrick Muyaya relayed the President’s concerns, emphasizing the urgent need to address the severe challenges faced by Congolese citizens working in artisanal mining.… Read More Here
Glencore Declares Force Majeure on Cobalt Shipments Following DRC Export Ban 5 Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt Corporate News 

Glencore Declares Force Majeure on Cobalt Shipments Following DRC Export Ban

Glencore has declared force majeure on certain cobalt deliveries from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), just days after the Congolese government imposed a temporary export ban on the key battery metal, according to three sources familiar with the matter who spoke to Reuters. The DRC, which produces the majority of the world’s cobalt, enacted a four-month export ban in February in a bid to ease a supply glut that had depressed prices to their lowest levels in nine years and reduced government revenue. As a result, Glencore, listed on… Read More Here
DRC Advances Toward Local Mineral Refining with First Copper and Cobalt Refinery Project 6 Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper 

DRC Advances Toward Local Mineral Refining with First Copper and Cobalt Refinery Project

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is preparing to halt the export of raw minerals, marking a significant step toward reducing its reliance on foreign processing and strengthening its industrial base. This development aligns with the government’s broader strategy for national economic growth and resource sovereignty. This initiative was highlighted during a meeting held on Thursday, June 5, 2025, between Minister of Foreign Trade Julien Paluku and Eddy Kioni, Director of Buenassa, a 100% Congolese-owned company spearheading the country’s first copper and cobalt refinery project. Minister Paluku commended the progress… Read More Here
Australia’s Cobalt Blue Secures Three-Year Feedstock Deal with Glencore for Kwinana Refinery 7 International Battery Metals Cobalt 

Australia’s Cobalt Blue Secures Three-Year Feedstock Deal with Glencore for Kwinana Refinery

Australia’s Cobalt Blue has signed a three-year agreement with global commodities giant Glencore to supply up to half of the feedstock required for its Kwinana Cobalt Refinery (KCR). Under the deal, Glencore will provide a minimum of 3,750 tonnes of cobalt hydroxide sourced from its Kamoto Copper Company (KCC) and Mutanda Mining operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The KCR facility, jointly developed by Cobalt Blue and Japan’s Iwatani Corporation in Western Australia, is set to become Australia’s first cobalt sulfate plant catering to lithium-ion battery markets and… Read More Here
New US-Zambia Copper-Cobalt Venture Launched with $100M Investment 8 Mining in Zambia Battery Metals Cobalt Copper New Mining Projects 

New US-Zambia Copper-Cobalt Venture Launched with $100M Investment

US-based critical minerals developer Terra Metals and resource investment firm Metalex Commodities have finalized an agreement to establish Lunda Resources, a new copper and cobalt production venture in Zambia that both companies describe as a potential “powerhouse” in the global critical minerals market. A formal signing ceremony is set to take place at the US Embassy in Lusaka, underscoring the initiative’s alignment with US government priorities on securing critical mineral supply chains. In a statement released Wednesday, Terra Metals said the agreement represents a significant diplomatic and commercial milestone for… Read More Here
CMOC and Glencore Clash Over Future of DRC Cobalt Export Ban 9 Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt 

CMOC and Glencore Clash Over Future of DRC Cobalt Export Ban

China’s CMOC and Switzerland’s Glencore have taken opposing stances on how to proceed after the suspension of cobalt exports from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which supplied 76% of the world’s cobalt in 2024. CMOC is advocating for a swift end to the export embargo, while Glencore-affiliated traders argue that the market must stabilize before Congolese cobalt re-enters the global supply chain. The issue was addressed during the recent Cobalt Congress in Singapore, in a meeting attended by DRC’s Minister of Mines, Kizito Pakabomba. CMOC Vice-President Kenny Ives emphasized… Read More Here
Congo’s Cobalt Export Ban Nears Expiry Amid Market Uncertainty 10 Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt 

Congo’s Cobalt Export Ban Nears Expiry Amid Market Uncertainty

In February, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) imposed a four-month ban on cobalt exports, a measure now under review according to the country’s Minister of Mines, Kizito Pakabomba. He made the announcement on May 14 at the Cobalt Congress 2025 in Singapore. At the time the ban was enacted, the country’s regulatory body for strategic minerals, Arecoms, stated that an assessment would be conducted three months into the measure, with possible adjustments or a full reversal depending on the findings. With the ban set to expire on June 22,… Read More Here

You have successfully subscribed to the newsletter

There was an error while trying to send your request. Please try again.

Copperbelt Katanga Mining will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.