Zijin’s Investments in DRC Reach About $6 Billion
Zijin Mining’s Investments in DRC Reach $6 Billion as China Deepens Critical Minerals Presence
Chinese mining group Zijin Mining has invested about $6 billion in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), highlighting the growing scale of Chinese capital in the country’s mining industry.
The figure was disclosed during discussions between Zijin representatives and DRC Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba on the sidelines of the 28th China Mining Conference and Exhibition, held in Tianjin, China, from September 10 to 12, 2026.
During the meeting, Zijin presented an update on its activities in the DRC, including operations and investments associated with the COMMUS copper and cobalt project and the Manono lithium project.
The reported $6 billion investment underscores Zijin’s expanding presence across the DRC’s critical minerals sector, particularly in copper, cobalt and lithium.
Zijin is a major shareholder in the Kamoa-Kakula copper complex in Lualaba Province, where it holds an indirect 39.6% interest alongside Ivanhoe Mines. The project is one of the DRC’s largest copper operations and is expected to increase production significantly as further development phases advance.
In the lithium sector, Zijin is developing the northeastern section of the Manono deposit in Tanganyika Province through Manono Lithium, in partnership with state-owned Cominiere and the DRC government.
The Manono project has entered production and is designed to process about five million tonnes of ore a year and produce approximately one million tonnes of spodumene concentrate annually.
The project is expected to further strengthen the DRC’s position in the global lithium supply chain.
The discussions in Tianjin also focused on strengthening cooperation between Zijin and the DRC’s Ministry of Mines, including monitoring the progress of the company’s projects and maintaining regular engagement with the government.
Zijin’s growing investment footprint comes as the DRC seeks to attract more capital into mining while encouraging greater domestic value addition and the development of local processing capacity.
For Kinshasa, the challenge will be to ensure that large-scale mining investments translate into increased economic benefits through local procurement, employment, infrastructure development, processing and higher government revenues.
The Mines Minister also met representatives of CREC Resources in Tianjin to discuss the progress of its projects in the DRC and opportunities for further cooperation.
The meetings form part of the DRC government’s broader efforts to deepen its engagement with international mining investors and strengthen partnerships around the development and processing of the country’s substantial mineral resources.
