Mining in DRC - Copperbelt Katanga Mining

DRC Advances $28.9bn MIFOR Iron Ore Project

January 13, 2026January 13, 2026 Constance

DRC Launches $28.9 Billion MIFOR Iron Ore Project to Unlock Up to 20 Billion Tonnes of Reserves The Minister of Mines, Louis Watum Kabamba, presented the Great Eastern Iron Mines (MIFOR) project to the Council of Ministers on Friday, January 9, 2026, along with the governance framework required for its implementation. This strategic initiative represents a major milestone in the industrial development of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s iron ore potential. According to the Minister, the iron ore resources targeted by the project are estimated at between 15 and 20… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper New Mining Projects

Critical Metals Secures £2.1 Million Loan to Advance Molulu Copper-Cobalt Project

January 11, 2026January 11, 2026 Constance

Critical Metals Secures £2.1 Million Financing from NIU Invest to Drive Molulu Copper and Cobalt Project NIU Invest SE, the majority shareholder of Critical Metals, has extended a £2.1 million loan (approximately $2.84 million) to support the company’s operations, particularly at its Molulu copper and cobalt project in Haut-Katanga province, Democratic Republic of Congo. The financing was announced on December 31, 2025. The loan carries an annual interest rate of 10% and has an 18-month maturity, with interest payable at the end of the term. Structured as a convertible bond,… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Economy Gold

DRC Central Bank to Make Gold a Pillar of National Reserves from 2026

January 11, 2026January 11, 2026 Constance

DR Congo Plans to Boost Gold Reserves in 2026 to Strengthen Financial Stability and Sovereignty As the Democratic Republic of Congo continues to grapple with persistent security challenges in its eastern regions, the Central Bank of Congo (BCC) has outlined a strategic shift aimed at strengthening the country’s financial resilience. Beginning in 2026, gold will become a central pillar of the nation’s reserve diversification strategy, according to BCC Governor André Wameso. Speaking on Thursday, January 8, 2026, Governor Wameso said the accumulation of monetary gold is now a key priority… Read More Here

Mining in DRC

DRC Mining Cadastre Enforces Mandatory Standardised Invoicing for All Suppliers

January 11, 2026January 11, 2026 Constance

DRC Mining Cadastre to Strictly Enforce Standardised Invoicing Rules for Suppliers and Service Providers The Director General of the Mining Cadastre, Popol Mabolia, has announced the strict enforcement of legal provisions governing standardised invoicing for all suppliers and service providers working with the institution. The directive took effect on Thursday, January 8, 2026. The decision forms part of broader efforts to strengthen transparency, regulatory compliance and good governance in the management of public financial operations. In an official statement, the Mining Cadastre confirmed that all transactions requiring payment must now… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Copper Mining in Zambia

DRC and Zambia Gain from Copper Price Boom as Global Demand Surges

January 11, 2026January 11, 2026 Constance

Copper Prices Above $13,000 a Ton Deliver Economic Windfall for Congo and Zambia The Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia are benefiting from a sharp rally in global copper prices, providing both countries with a significant economic boost at a time of rising global demand for the metal. Copper, a cornerstone of export earnings and government revenue for both nations, has surged nearly 50% since January 2025, surpassing US$13,000 per metric ton for the first time. The price rally has been partly fuelled by concerns over potential United States tariffs… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Governance

DRC Bans Mining Companies from Direct Sale of Reagents to Boost Local Subcontractors

January 11, 2026January 11, 2026 Constance

DRC Prohibits Mining Companies from Directly Selling Mining Reagents to Promote Local Subcontracting The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Private Sector Subcontracting Regulatory Authority (ARSP) has formally prohibited all mining companies operating in the country from directly supplying, distributing or marketing mining reagents, including sulfuric acid, quicklime, coal and similar products. Under the new regulation, only subcontracting companies that are duly approved and registered with the ARSP are authorised to supply and commercialise these materials. The decision was adopted on January 7, 2026, and is binding on all mining operators without… Read More Here

Mining in DRC

DRC Mines Minister Highlights Training as Key to Sustainable Mineral Development

January 10, 2026January 10, 2026 Constance

DRC Mining Sector Boosted by Training Programs for Administration Staff, Says Minister Louis Watum The Minister of Mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Louis Watum Kabamba, emphasized the critical role of administrative training in achieving the sustainable development of the country’s vast mineral resources. “The sustainable development of the DRC’s immense mineral resources depends primarily on the quality of human capital,” said Minister Watum during a ceremony presenting certificates of participation in continuing education programs for managers and staff of the Mines administration. The event was presided over by… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Critical Minerals

DRC Urged to Define Strategic and Critical Minerals for Energy Transition

January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 Constance

Resource Matters Calls on DRC to Establish Clear Framework for Strategic and Critical Minerals While many countries have developed clear strategies distinguishing between “strategic” and “critical” minerals, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has yet to define a comprehensive list of minerals requiring special attention in its energy transition strategy. This observation comes from the NGO Resource Matters in its December 2025 publication on the local development of minerals essential to the energy transition. Currently, only cobalt, coltan, and germanium are classified as “strategic minerals” in the DRC. According to… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Battery Metals Cobalt

DRC Cobalt Prices Stall at $52,100 per Ton as Global Demand Outlook Remains Uncertain

January 7, 2026January 7, 2026 Constance

Cobalt Prices Stabilize After Rapid December Surge Amid Market Uncertainty After a period of rapid growth through December 22, 2025, cobalt prices have stabilized on the international market. Having climbed from USD 50,958 to over USD 52,000 per ton in just a few weeks, the price of this strategic mineral—of which the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the world’s leading producer—has now plateaued. Data for January 5–10, 2026, indicate cobalt export prices at USD 52,107 per ton, slightly below the previous week’s USD 52,111, reflecting a marginal decline. This… Read More Here

Mining in DRC Electricity

NGO Calls on DRC Govt to Ensure Mining Electricity Benefits Local Communities

January 7, 2026January 8, 2026 Constance

Resource Matters Urges DRC to Publish Mining-Linked Energy Concessions to Protect Communities To prevent mining companies in the lithium sector from monopolizing electricity solely for their operations at the expense of local communities, the NGO Resource Matters has urged the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government to make all concession contracts related to energy assets linked to mining publicly available. The recommendation appears in Resource Matters’ white paper, “From Raw Ore to Local Processing: Ways to Increase Added Value,” published in December 2025. The report highlights concerns over the opacity… Read More Here