Economy - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

DRC and China Sign Strategic Minerals Cooperation Pact to Boost Mining Value and Industrialization 1

DRC–China Mining Deal Targets Duty-Free Exports, Local Processing, and $28.9 Billion Iron Corridor Development The Democratic Republic of Congo and China have advanced their strategic partnership by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on geology and mineral resources in Beijing on March 26. The agreement forms part of broader efforts to deepen economic cooperation and maximize value creation in the Congolese mining sector. The MoU was signed by the Congolese Minister of Mines, Louis Watum Kabamba, and China’s Minister of Natural Resources, Guan Zhi’ou, in the presence of senior officials… Read More Here

DRC Copper Production Hits 3.5 Million Tonnes in 2025 Amid Global Market Volatility

March 26, 2026March 26, 2026 Constance

DRC Copper Output Reaches 3.5M Tonnes in 2025 While International Prices Face Geopolitical Pressure Mining companies operating in the Democratic Republic of the Congo produced a total of 3,503,539 tonnes of copper in 2025, according to provisional data released by the Technical Unit for Mining Coordination and Planning under the Ministry of Mines. The report indicates that all copper produced was sold, covering both exports and domestic pre-export processing, meaning total sales matched annual production. Monthly Production Trends Monthly statistics show that production peaked in July 2025 at 315,590 tonnes,… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Economy

Zambia’s Banking Sector Signals Readiness to Power Govt’s 24-Hour Economy

March 22, 2026March 22, 2026 Constance

Zambian Banks Expand Digital Payments and Operating Hours to Support Government’s Transition to a 24/7 Economy The Bankers Association of Zambia (BAZ) has confirmed that the country’s banking sector is fully prepared to support the government’s transition to a 24-hour economy, with digital infrastructure already upgraded and extended operating hours implemented across the industry. BAZ Chief Executive Officer Leonard Mwanza stated that the banking sector spent much of 2025 strengthening systems to enable round-the-clock financial services, including a successful pilot expansion of the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) platform. Currently, banks… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Economy

Cobalt Shortage Set to Persist as DRC Export Controls Tighten Global Supply

March 18, 2026March 18, 2026 Constance

Global Cobalt Supply Crunch to Continue Through 2030 as Democratic Republic of the Congo Export Restrictions Disrupt Market A global cobalt shortage is expected to persist through the end of the decade as export restrictions from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) continue to disrupt supply chains, according to trading firm Darton Commodities. Cobalt shipments from the DRC declined significantly in 2025 after the government imposed an export ban in February, followed by strict quotas in October. The country responsible for more than 70% of global cobalt supply introduced… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Economy

Tshisekedi Urges Economic Vigilance as Global Tensions Threaten DRC Mining Sector

March 16, 2026March 16, 2026 Constance

DR Congo Moves to Protect Mining Sector and Economy as Global Geopolitical Tensions Rise President Félix Tshisekedi has warned members of the government about the potential economic consequences of escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, stressing that global instability could affect the mining-driven economy of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The head of state delivered the warning during the 82nd meeting of the Council of Ministers, held on March 13 at the African Union City in Kinshasa. According to the president, rising geopolitical tensions are already generating volatility… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Economy

DRC Raises $26.4 Million in Treasury Bond Auction Amid Moderate Investor Demand

March 16, 2026March 16, 2026 Constance

DR Congo Raises $26.4M in Treasury Bond Auction as Government Seeks $640M From Domestic Market in 2026 The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) raised $26.4 million on the domestic financial market during a Treasury bond auction held last week. The information was disclosed in a press release published on March 11, 2026 by the country’s Ministry of Finance of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which presented the results of the financing operation. According to the official document, the amount raised corresponds to a coverage rate… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Corporate News Economy

DRC Seeks Stronger Investment Partnerships With Major Mining Companies

March 15, 2026March 15, 2026 Constance

DRC Calls on Glencore, CMOC and Ivanhoe to Expand Mining Investments and Boost Production The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo is seeking to deepen partnerships with major international mining companies operating in the country to expand production and attract new investment. The initiative was announced by the country’s Minister of Mines, Louis Watum Kabamba, during meetings with mining industry stakeholders in Toronto, Canada, last week. Strategy to Boost Investment and Production Through this initiative, the Congolese government aims to encourage mining companies to increase capital investments, expand… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Economy Transport and Logistics

DRC Pushes for $1 Billion World Bank Financing to Accelerate Lobito Corridor Development

March 14, 2026March 16, 2026 Constance

DRC Seeks $1 Billion World Bank Funding to Boost Lobito Corridor and Regional Trade The Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is intensifying efforts to secure international financing for the development of the Lobito Corridor, a major infrastructure project aimed at improving regional connectivity and boosting trade. Speaking in Washington during the World Bank’s “Transforming Transportation” global forum, the Congolese Minister of Infrastructure and Public Works, John Banza Lunda, called for an acceleration of the financing process for key infrastructure linked to the corridor. The meeting took place… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Economy Gold

DRC Launches First Pilot Gold Refinery in Tanganyika Province

March 12, 2026March 12, 2026 Constance

Democratic Republic of Congo Opens First Gold Refinery in Kalemie to Boost Local Processing and Transparency The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially launched its first pilot gold refinery in Kalemie, the capital of Tanganyika Province, marking an important milestone in the country’s efforts to process its mineral resources locally and strengthen governance in the gold sector. The refinery was inaugurated on Wednesday, March 11, 2026, during a ceremony attended by several senior government officials. Among those present were Guylain Nyembo Mbwizya, Minister of State and Minister of Planning;… Read More Here

Mining in Zambia Copper Economy

Zambia Seeks Global Investment to Triple Copper Production by 2031

March 11, 2026March 15, 2026 Constance

Zambia Targets 3 Million Tons of Copper by 2031 as Government Courts Global Investors Zambia is actively courting international investors, including those from the United States, as it works toward an ambitious goal of tripling its copper production to 3 million metric tons by 2031, Mines Minister Paul Kabuswe said on Tuesday. Africa’s second-largest copper producer after the Democratic Republic of the Congo is increasingly viewed as a strategic partner for the United States. Washington has been stepping up efforts to diversify supply chains for critical minerals and reduce reliance… Read More Here