Louis Watum Opens DRC Mining Week 2026 with Call for Mineral Transformation and Value Addition
DRC Mining Week 2026: Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba Unveils Vision to Make Congo a Global Critical Minerals Hub
The Minister of Mines, Louis Watum Kabamba, officially opened the 21st edition of DRC Mining Week on Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Lubumbashi under the theme: “Transforming the DRC: From Local Player to Global Hub for Critical Minerals.”
The opening ceremony brought together several senior government officials, including the Minister of Water Resources and Electricity, Molendo Sakombi, the Governor of Haut-Katanga Province, as well as investors, mining operators, industry experts, and development partners.
Running from June 17 to 19, 2026, DRC Mining Week is the Democratic Republic of Congo’s premier annual mining conference and exhibition.
The event serves as a strategic platform for industry stakeholders to discuss investment opportunities, technological innovation, policy developments, and partnerships aimed at advancing the country’s mining sector.
DRC Strengthens Its Position in Global Critical Minerals Supply Chains
In his keynote address, Louis Watum Kabamba highlighted the Democratic Republic of Congo’s strategic role in the global supply chain for critical minerals, citing the country’s vast reserves of copper, cobalt, lithium, and other minerals essential to the global energy transition.
He noted that the DRC produced nearly 3.5 million tonnes of copper in 2025 while maintaining its position as the world’s leading producer of cobalt.
The minister also announced that the country is expected to record its first commercial lithium production during the second half of 2026, marking a significant milestone for the mining industry.
Government Pursues Value Addition and Industrial Transformation
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to maximizing the benefits of its mineral wealth, the Minister of Mines emphasized the need to move beyond the traditional extractive model toward local processing, industrialization, and value creation.
He outlined key reforms and initiatives aimed at supporting this transformation, including the modernization of mining administration, the digitalization of public services, expanded geological research, strengthened mineral traceability systems, and the development of energy infrastructure to support industrial growth.
Call for Greater Investment and Strategic Partnerships
Concluding his address, Louis Watum Kabamba called on investors and development partners to support the DRC’s ambition to become a leading global hub for critical minerals and mineral processing.
He stressed that this vision aligns with the development agenda of President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and is being implemented under the leadership of Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka.
As global demand for critical minerals continues to rise, DRC Mining Week 2026 provides an important opportunity to showcase the country’s growing role in supplying the resources needed for the energy transition and emerging technologies worldwide.
