DRC’s Mining Sector Reaffirmed as Backbone of DRC Economy at DRC Mining Week
As the 20th anniversary edition of DRC Mining Week opened in Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga, Bin Nassor Kasongo, President of the Chamber of Mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo, underscored the pivotal role of mining in the country’s economic development.
“From 2007 to 2022, our mining industry contributed nearly $30 billion to the public treasury, making the mining sector the backbone of the Congolese economy,” Kasongo stated during his keynote speech at the Pullman Karavia Hotel.
He credited this achievement to the early vision of industry pioneers and reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to fostering constructive dialogue between the public and private sectors.
Kasongo highlighted the Democratic Republic of Congo’s leadership in global copper and cobalt production, noting that the country had exported over 3 million tons of copper by 2024 and now accounts for more than 73% of global cobalt output.
“This progress stems from a bold decision in 2002 to open our vast mineral resources to private investment,” he explained.
The move to liberalize the mining sector has been instrumental in unlocking the DRC’s resource potential and attracting international capital, transforming the country into a key player in the global energy transition supply chain.
DRC Mining Week 2025, took place from June 11 to 13 in Lubumbashi, marked two decades of industry collaboration, innovation, and policy dialogue.
The event gathered stakeholders from across the mining value chain to discuss investment, sustainability, and the future of the sector.
With its abundant mineral wealth, especially in critical minerals like cobalt, the DRC remains a strategic player in powering green technologies worldwide.
As Kasongo emphasized, continued partnership between government and industry will be essential to maximizing the sector’s benefits for national development.
