DRC Germanium Exports Fall 41.8% in Second Quarter of 2026
DRC Germanium Hydroxide Exports Drop to 248 Tonnes in Q2 2026
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s exports of germanium hydroxide fell by 41.78% in the second quarter of 2026, according to statistics from the Technical Coordination and Planning Unit of the Ministry of Mines (CTCPM).
Exports declined from 426.77 tonnes in the first quarter to 248.46 tonnes in the second quarter, bringing total exports for the first half of 2026 to 675.23 tonnes at a reported grade of 1.25%.
Germanium hydroxide is an intermediate product recovered during the processing of ores and mining residues.
Germanium is a strategic metal used in applications including electronics, fibre optics, infrared technologies and other advanced industrial applications.
In the DRC, germanium hydroxide is produced primarily from mining residues at the Big Hill tailings deposit in Lubumbashi, which is operated by the Société du Terril de Lubumbashi (STL).
The latest decline follows fluctuating export volumes in recent years. In 2025, the DRC exported 1,068.07 tonnes of germanium hydroxide, with monthly volumes varying significantly throughout the year.
Despite the second-quarter decline, the DRC remains a significant producer of germanium as demand for the strategic metal continues to be linked to high-technology and advanced manufacturing industries.
