Kamoa Copper Champions Local Value Creation and Lobito Corridor at Katanga Business Meeting
Kamoa Copper SA, a leading mining operator in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), participated as a Platinum Sponsor at the 6th edition of the Katanga Business Meeting (KBM), held from May 15 to 16 at the Lualaba Provincial Assembly headquarters in Kolwezi.
Held under the theme “Building Our Future: Focus on Priority Objectives,” the event brought together economic stakeholders from across the DRC.
Kamoa Copper stood out both as an exhibitor and panelist, reflecting its growing influence in the country’s mining and economic sectors.
On the first day of the conference, Kamoa Copper Managing Director Annebel Oosthuizen co-hosted a high-level panel discussion alongside prominent figures, including DRC Prime Minister Judith Suminwa, Lobito Corridor Operations Director Nicholas Grégoire, and Lualaba Governor Fifi Masuka.
The panel, titled “Lobito Corridor and Industrial Transition: Building the DRC’s Economic Sovereignty,” highlighted the transformative potential of the Lobito Corridor.
Oosthuizen emphasized that Kamoa Copper operates on an innovative economic model designed to lead the industrial transition in the DRC.
She underscored that with the company’s newly completed copper smelter—the largest on the continent—Kamoa is actively driving local mineral processing before export.
“As a company, we believe in the local transformation of resources, and that is exactly what we’re doing,” Oosthuizen said. “The real economic multiplier lies in developing value chains.
We must support local manufacturing to reduce our dependence on imports. Thanks to the Lobito Corridor, SMEs can now import raw materials, produce locally, sell in domestic markets, and export to the region.”
Kamoa Copper was the first company to export mining products via the Lobito Corridor railway. Oosthuizen stated that the company’s commitment began in 2023, when it became one of the corridor’s first major users.
“In 2024, we utilized 50% of the corridor’s capacity, and we plan to maintain that volume in 2025 before doubling it in 2026.
We see ourselves as a strategic partner in this project, which extends far beyond mineral exports. It is a vital infrastructure that can support diversified economic development and drive long-term economic sovereignty for the DRC.”
Founded in 2008 as part of the Ivanhoe Mines Group, Kamoa began production in 2021 and has since grown to become Africa’s second-largest copper producer—and the largest in the DRC.
The company recently completed construction of Africa’s largest copper smelter, positioning itself in full alignment with the Lobito Corridor project.
Oosthuizen reaffirmed the company’s support for broader regional trade integration:
“We tested the corridor—it’s faster and cheaper.
We encourage local SMEs and subcontractors to begin both importing and exporting using this infrastructure.”
During the panel, Lualaba Governor Fifi Masuka publicly praised Kamoa Copper for its responsible mining practices and exemplary tax compliance, commending the company for consistently paying its dues ahead of schedule.
Kamoa Copper’s participation in the Katanga Business Meeting reaffirmed its commitment not only to industrial innovation and economic sovereignty but also to playing a catalytic role in the region’s sustainable development.
