Cobalt - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

Energy Deficits and Production Challenges Impact DRC’s Mining Sector

May 20, 2024May 20, 2024 Constance

From 2022 to 2023, mining production in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), particularly in the Haut-Katanga province, experienced both growth and stagnation due to numerous challenges, especially the energy deficit linked to the deteriorating network of the national electricity company (SNEL). During the general and elective assembly of the Federation of Congolese Enterprises (FEC), Patrick Muland Kabey, re-elected as provincial President, acknowledged that the mining sector has seen delayed growth over the past two years. According to FEC statistics, mining products such as cobalt and copper, which are critical… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt Copper

Who Truly Benefits from DRC’s Mineral Wealth?

May 19, 2024May 19, 2024 Constance

In 2023, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) ranked second globally in copper and cobalt exports, according to the Central Bank of Congo (BCC). However, this raises a critical question: who actually benefits from the DRC’s mineral wealth? To answer this, MINES.CD examined Lualaba, the world capital of cobalt and a major hub for the DRC’s mining industry. This region, part of the former Katanga province, is rich in copper and cobalt, mined by multinationals such as Sicomines, Commus, Mutanda Mining, KCC, Kamoa, Tenke Fungurume Mining, Metalkol, and Ruashi Mining.… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt

US Official Accuses China’s CMOC of Predatory Pricing in Cobalt Market

May 16, 2024May 16, 2024 Constance

China’s CMOC Group Ltd. is being accused by a senior US official of employing “predatory” tactics to suppress cobalt prices by flooding the market with the metal sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo mines. “What we’re seeing now, I feel, is a variation of predatory pricing,” said Jose Fernandez, Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, and the Environment, during a Cobalt Institute conference in New York. His remarks highlight the US’s efforts to reduce China’s dominance in critical metals essential for the energy transition from fossil fuels. Cobalt, vital… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt Copper

Rwanda Ready to Drop “Conflict Mineral” Accusations Against Apple

May 14, 2024May 14, 2024 Constance

Rwanda has strongly denied accusations from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) that Apple sources conflict minerals from a disputed area within the DRC. Rwandan government spokeswoman Yolande Makolo labeled these allegations as “baseless” and suggested they are part of ongoing attempts by the DRC to shift media focus onto Rwanda by leveraging Apple’s global profile. Apple has responded by reaffirming its commitment to responsible sourcing, stating it has verified the origins of minerals in its supply chain and found no evidence of financing armed groups in the DRC as… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper

DRC Lifts Suspension on Chinese-Owned Copper-Cobalt Mine Amid Radiation Concerns

May 13, 2024May 13, 2024 Constance

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has revoked the suspension order on a Congolese copper and cobalt operation majority-owned by China’s Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd. Last month, Congo’s mines ministry halted the activities of the COMMUS project, in which Zijin owns a 72% stake, due to high radiation levels detected in mineral products returned from South Africa. However, in a letter dated May 10, seen by Reuters, the mines ministry confirmed that it had received a report on the investigation’s findings and subsequently lifted the suspension. Mining… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Coltan Regional conflict Tin

Opposition Leader Martin Fayulu Accuses Rwandan Army of Collusion with M23 in Rubaya

May 3, 2024May 3, 2024 Constance

Opposition figure Martin Fayulu has condemned the presence of the Rwandan army alongside M23 militants in the mining town of Rubaya, located in the Masisi territory of North Kivu province. Fayulu, expressing his criticism via his X account, accused the Rwandan M23 army of controlling Rubaya, suggesting Rwanda’s increased access to Congolese coltan. Amidst this, Fayulu highlighted the plight of Congolese citizens affected by floods in Kalemie and Uvira, denouncing the government’s apparent lack of assistance and expenditure on unnecessary trips. Rubaya, known for its rich mineral resources including coltan,… Read More Here

Copper Cobalt Mining in DRC

CMOC Reports Significant Growth in Copper and Cobalt Production for Q1

April 30, 2024April 30, 2024 Constance

Chinese mining company CMOC announced substantial increases in copper and cobalt production for the first quarter of the year, showcasing growth rates of 123% and 392%, respectively. Operating primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo, CMOC reported production figures of 147,500 metric tons of copper and 25,200 tons of cobalt during the first three months of the year. The company’s Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM) site expanded its mining capacity in March, elevating its annual capacity to 450,000 tons of copper and 37,000 tons of cobalt. This achievement propels TFM into… Read More Here

International Cobalt Nickel Zinc

Glencore Eyes Investment in Nigeria’s Mining Sector Amid Government Push for Growth

April 28, 2024April 28, 2024 Constance

Commodities giant Glencore (LON: GLEN) announced on Friday its interest in investing in Nigeria’s mining sector, contingent upon the government ensuring a stable business environment. CEO Gary Nagle, who held discussions with Nigeria’s Minister for Solid Minerals, Dele Alake, expressed particular interest in nickel, cobalt, zinc, and other metals. The timing of this visit aligns with Nigeria’s efforts to attract foreign investors to its underdeveloped mining sector. Alake emphasized the federal government’s commitment to attracting major international companies to drive the growth of the mining sector, drawing parallels with its… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt

Eurasian Resources Group Denies Accusations of Subcontracting Fraud in the DRC

April 25, 2024April 25, 2024 Constance

Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) has refuted allegations of attempting to circumvent subcontracting laws in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), aimed at promoting local ownership in the mining sector and fostering economic benefits. In response to Congo government’s accusations of presenting nine subcontracting companies as majority partners with fictitious shares to evade the requirement of Congolese shareholders owning 50% of subcontracting shares, ERG issued a statement denying any involvement in illicit activities. The Regulatory Authority for Subcontracting in the Private Sector revealed that over $535 million in sales had been… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper

Zijin’s Congo mine shipments returned due to radiation levels

April 24, 2024April 24, 2024 Constance

Mineral shipments from a Congolese copper and cobalt operation majority-owned by China’s Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd were returned due to overly high radiation levels, the Congolese mines minister said in a letter seen by Reuters on Monday. The letter, dated April 12, informed the COMMUS project in which Zijin owns a 72% stake that the ministry had suspended its licence while it investigated the issue. “I am informed of the return of your shipments that exported … mineral products to South Africa on the grounds that their radioactivity content… Read More Here