DRC bans copper and cobalt concentrate exports, sparks price surge

copper export ban cobalt export ban DRC mining policy LME copper price mining tax regime

On June 29 2026 the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) issued an inter‑ministerial order that immediately prohibits the export of copper and cobalt concentrates. The order was signed by Mines Minister Louis Kabamba Watum, Foreign Trade Minister Julien Paluku Kahongya and Economy Minister (Deputy Prime Minister) Daniel Mukoko Samba. It also creates a new tax regime for economically significant mining by‑products, applying a 55 % valuation rate after a three‑month transition period, and allows the mines minister to grant one‑year export waivers for “strategic” circumstances.

The ban, part of a broader resource‑nationalism drive to keep more value inside the country, sent three‑month copper prices on the London Metal Exchange up about 1.8 % to US$14,369.50 per tonne, the highest level since January 2026. Major operators potentially affected include CMOC Group, Glencore, Huayou Cobalt, Zijin Mining, Ivanhoe Mines and Eurasian Resources Group. Concurrently, the DRC announced a double‑expertise review of cobalt‑hydroxide exports after a study reported trace uranium, with testing to be carried out by national and international laboratories and consultation with the IAEA. Chinese‑owned mining firms in the DRC denied that their cobalt contains excessive uranium.

Entities

ANAPEX · CMOC · CMOC Group · Daniel Mukoko Samba · Democratic Republic of Congo · Democratic Republic of the Congo · Glencore · Julien Paluku Kahongya · Louis Kabamba Watum · Mike Tambwe · Office Congolais de Contrôle

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 6 SOURCES] The mines minister may grant one‑year export waivers for strategic circumstances. mining.com.au · wdez.com · jack1065.com · wkzo.com · kfgo.com · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The DRC government order signed on June 29 2026 bans the export of copper concentrates. mining.com.au · wdez.com · jack1065.com · wkzo.com · kfgo.com · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Three‑month copper prices on the London Metal Exchange rose about 1.8 % to US$14,369.50 per tonne after the ban was reported. mining.com.au · www.cash.ch · wdez.com · www.riotimesonline.com · thedeepdive.ca
[● 6 SOURCES] Major mining operators affected include CMOC Group, Glencore, Huayou Cobalt, Zijin Mining, Ivanhoe Mines and Eurasian Resources Group. mining.com.au · wdez.com · jack1065.com · wkzo.com · kfgo.com · +1 more
[● 3 SOURCES] The DRC will conduct a double expertise on exported cobalt‑hydroxide samples, using both national and international laboratories, after a study reported trace uranium. zoom-eco.net · abidjantv.net · newscentraltv.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Chinese‑owned mining companies in the DRC denied that their cobalt contains excessive uranium, stating all products meet safety standards. africa.businessinsider.com · abidjantv.net
[● 5 SOURCES] The order introduces a new tax regime for economically significant mining by‑products with a 55 % valuation rate. lebarometre.cd · actualite.cd · thedeepdive.ca · mining.com.au · wdez.com
[● 6 SOURCES] The DRC government order signed on June 29 2026 bans the export of cobalt concentrates. mining.com.au · wdez.com · jack1065.com · wkzo.com · kfgo.com · +1 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] The DRC will conduct a double‑expertise review of cobalt‑hydroxide exports after a study reported trace uranium. zoom-eco.net
[● 3 SOURCES] Three‑month copper prices on the London Metal Exchange rose about 1.8 % to US$14,369.50 per tonne after the ban was announced. mining.com.au · www.cash.ch
[● 6 SOURCES] The order also bans the export of cobalt concentrates. mining.com.au · wdez.com · jack1065.com · wkzo.com · kfgo.com · +1 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The Democratic Republic of Congo signed an order on June 29 2026 that bans the export of copper concentrates. mining.com.au · wdez.com · jack1065.com · wkzo.com · kfgo.com · +1 more