KICO accounts for 97% of DRC zinc exports in first half of 2026
DRC zinc exports reach 112,206 tonnes as KICO accounts for 97% in H1 2026
Kipushi Corporation (KICO), operator of the Kipushi zinc-copper mine in Haut-Katanga Province, accounted for approximately 97% of the Democratic Republic of Congo’s zinc exports during the first half of 2026, according to statistics from the Technical Unit for Coordination and Mining Planning (CTCPM).
The DRC exported a total of 112,206.22 tonnes of zinc concentrate during the first six months of 2026. KICO accounted for 108,323.28 tonnes, representing approximately 96.5% of total exports, which rounds to 97%.
The remaining 3,882.94 tonnes, equivalent to about 3.5% of total exports, were attributed to STL, according to the CTCPM figures.
KICO drives DRC zinc exports
The figures underscore the growing contribution of the Kipushi mine to the DRC’s zinc export sector following the restart of operations in 2024.
Kipushi resumed production after mining activities had been suspended since 1993. The operation is located near the town of Kipushi, approximately 30 kilometres southwest of Lubumbashi and close to the Zambian border.
The mine is operated by KICO, a joint venture in which Ivanhoe Mines holds a 62% interest and Gécamines holds 38%.
The operation’s modern concentrator uses dense media separation, milling and flotation.
The plant was initially designed to process 800,000 tonnes of ore per year, while a debottlenecking programme completed in 2025 increased its throughput capacity to approximately 960,000 tonnes annually.
Production continues to increase
KICO’s strong export performance comes amid rising production at Kipushi.
The mine produced 135,221 tonnes of zinc in concentrate during the first half of 2026. Second-quarter production reached a record 70,177 tonnes, an 8% increase from the first quarter.
The operation also recorded its seventh consecutive quarter of increasing zinc production.
The second-quarter performance included a record 200,774 tonnes of ore milled, with an average feed grade of 38.7% zinc and concentrator recovery of approximately 92%.
Kipushi is targeting production of between 240,000 and 290,000 tonnes of zinc in concentrate in 2026.
Logistics remain a factor
KICO’s production growth has also been accompanied by logistical challenges.
Logistics constraints between the mine and export ports contributed to an accumulation of unsold zinc concentrate during the second quarter.
Approximately 44,000 tonnes of zinc in concentrate were held in inventory at the end of the period.
The company expects to reduce this inventory during the second half of 2026 as logistics improve.
High-grade zinc operation
Kipushi is distinguished by the high grade of its zinc orebody. The mine’s concentrator is designed to achieve recoveries of up to 96%, with an average concentrate grade of approximately 55% zinc.
The mine’s rising production and dominant share of the DRC’s zinc exports underline its growing importance to the country’s zinc industry.
However, production and export volumes can differ depending on concentrate inventories, logistics and the timing of shipments.
