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DRC to Decide on Cobalt Export Ban Extension or Lifting by September 21, 2025 1

DRC Weighs Future of Cobalt Export Ban Ahead of September Deadline Kinshasa, DRC — The Congolese government is expected to announce by September 21, 2025, whether it will extend, modify, or lift its current suspension of cobalt exports to the international market. The measure, first introduced on February 22, 2025, by the Regulatory and Control Authority for Strategic Mineral Substances Markets (ARECOMS), initially imposed a four-month ban on exports of cobalt hydroxides, carbonates, white alloys, and copper-cobalt concentrates. The suspension, which applied to all operators—industrial, semi-industrial, and artisanal— was later… Read More Here

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Africa Poised to Become Global Hub for Critical Minerals and Industrial Growth

August 28, 2025August 28, 2025 Constance

Africa Poised to Lead Global Critical Minerals Market with Strategic Industrial Transformation African nations have the opportunity to leverage their critical mineral resources to move beyond traditional extraction models and capture far greater value across the entire mining-to-manufacturing value chain. A new report from Boston Consulting Group (BCG) Africa, titled “Africa’s Critical Minerals Moment: A Strategic Blueprint for Sovereign, Sustainable, and Scalable Growth”, highlights the continent’s potential as a central player in the global critical minerals market, as demand is expected to more than double by 2040. Africa hosts some… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt

DRC Poised to Profit as Cobalt Prices Surge Amid Global EV and Battery Demand

August 24, 2025August 24, 2025 Constance

Cobalt Prices Surge, Offering Major Opportunities for the Democratic Republic of Congo The international cobalt market, a key export of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has seen significant growth in recent months. According to the Central Bank of Congo (BCC) in its latest economic outlook, cobalt prices held steady at USD 32,650 per tonne during the last week of July 2025, remaining unchanged into the first week of August. Compared to the end of 2024, cobalt prices have surged by 35.8%, and over the past year—from August 2024 to… Read More Here

International Battery Metals Cobalt

US Plans $500m Cobalt Procurement to Strengthen Defense Mineral Stockpiles

August 24, 2025August 24, 2025 Constance

US Targets $500m Cobalt Purchase for Defense Supply Chain Amid China’s Mineral Restrictions The United States is moving to secure its supply of critical minerals, with the Department of Defense (DoD) announcing plans to procure up to $500 million worth of cobalt for its defense stockpiles. The initiative comes as Washington intensifies efforts to reduce reliance on China’s near-total control of the critical minerals sector. China’s Export Restrictions Spark Urgency The global supply chain for rare earths and other strategic minerals has come under pressure following China’s recent export restrictions.… Read More Here

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Glencore Warns of Cobalt Stockpile Build-Up Amid Prolonged DRC Export Ban

August 6, 2025August 6, 2025 Constance

Glencore May Be Unable to Sell Cobalt in 2025 Due to Congo Export Ban Glencore (LON: GLEN), the world’s second-largest cobalt producer, issued a warning on Wednesday that a substantial portion of its cobalt output may remain unsold by the end of 2025, citing ongoing export restrictions in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The DRC, which produces the majority of the world’s cobalt, imposed a four-month export ban in February 2025 after prices plunged to a nine-year low. In June, the Congolese government extended the ban by an additional… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt Economy

DRC Aims to Boost Local Cobalt Refining by Targeting Fairer Prices and Long-Term Market Stability

July 27, 2025July 27, 2025 Constance

Congo Eyes Cobalt Price Rebound to Drive Local Refining, Reduce China’s Dominance The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is pushing for a sustainable cobalt price to encourage domestic processing, as the government charts its course following a suspension of cobalt exports. The move, part of a broader strategy to stabilize global markets and attract local investment, comes amid shifting dynamics in the critical battery metal industry. Congo, responsible for nearly 75% of the world’s cobalt supply, first halted exports on February 22 for four months. In June, the government extended… Read More Here

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U.S. Consortium Eyes Strategic Acquisition of Chemaf Amid Critical Mineral Race in DRC

July 18, 2025July 18, 2025 Constance

U.S. Firms Orion and Virtus in Talks to Acquire Congo’s Chemaf Resources as Global Cobalt Race Heats Up A U.S.-based consortium, including former special forces and intelligence veterans, is in advanced talks to acquire Chemaf Resources Ltd., a copper and cobalt producer at the heart of intensifying U.S.-China competition over critical minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). According to sources familiar with the matter, Orion Resource Partners and Virtus Minerals are jointly negotiating the acquisition of Chemaf, which is currently backed by global commodity trader Trafigura Group. While… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt

CMOC Delivers Strong Cobalt Growth Amid Congo Export Crackdown

July 15, 2025July 15, 2025 Constance

CMOC Increases Cobalt Output in Congo Amid Export Ban, Projects $1.1B Profit Surge China’s CMOC Group, the world’s largest cobalt producer, reported a strong rise in output from its operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), defying an ongoing export ban imposed by the Congolese government. In a preliminary earnings statement released Monday, CMOC announced a 13% year-on-year increase in cobalt production, reaching 61,073 tons in the first half of 2025. This growth occurred despite DRC’s export suspension, which was initially enacted in February and extended through September. Congo,… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt

IXM Declares Force Majeure on Cobalt Contracts Amid Extended DRC Export Ban

July 3, 2025July 3, 2025 Constance

IXM, the metals trading arm of China’s CMOC Group, has declared force majeure on its cobalt supply contracts due to an ongoing export ban imposed by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the company announced on Monday. Earlier this month, the DRC government extended the export ban for an additional three months, citing efforts to address global cobalt oversupply and stabilize falling prices. The DRC, which produces over 80% of the world’s cobalt, first implemented the ban on February 22. The restriction is enforced by the country’s Authority for the… Read More Here

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India Targets Critical Minerals in Zambia Amid Global Supply Concerns

July 3, 2025July 3, 2025 Constance

India has deployed a team of geologists to Zambia to explore deposits of copper and cobalt, two minerals critical to its clean energy transition, according to two Indian government sources. The Zambian government has allocated 9,000 square kilometers (approximately 3,475 square miles) to India for this exploration initiative. The focus will be on cobalt—a vital component in batteries for electric vehicles and mobile phones—and copper, which is widely used in power generation, electronics, and construction. The exploration project is expected to span three years, with most of the sample analysis… Read More Here