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3 clusters · 6 sources · 8 days · First seen · Last updated

DRC copper mining and trade expansion

Overview

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is experiencing significant growth in its copper sector, characterized by both increased international trade and expanded domestic exploration.

On the trade front, the DRC has emerged as a major supplier to the United States. In July 2026, U.S. copper imports from the DRC reached a record 53,290 metric tons, accounting for approximately 23.9% of all U.S. copper imports for that month. This surge is substantial compared to 2024, when total annual U.S. imports of Congolese copper were fewer than 32,000 tons. This growth is driven by competitive pricing, with Congolese copper reportedly selling at discounts of $550 to $800 per ton relative to London Metal Exchange prices. Because much of this copper is traded directly in the physical market rather than through COMEX, it avoids certain exchange premiums.

This trade expansion follows a December 2025 strategic partnership agreement designed to secure critical minerals for Washington and allow the DRC to diversify its economic dependencies away from China. The mining sector remains vital to the DRC, accounting for over 95% of its export revenues.

Simultaneously, mining exploration within the DRC is expanding. In Lualaba province, Ivanhoe Mines reported a 30% increase in resources at the Makoko deposit. Additionally, drilling at the Butembo Copper Project in eastern DRC has intersected broad zones of copper mineralization. To modernize the sector, the DRC has launched a $180 million geological mapping project supported by the U.S. and France to identify reserves of copper, cobalt, lithium, and coltan.

Entities

Democratic Republic of the Congo · United States · Xcalibur · Gécamines · COMEX

Timeline

  1. about 16 hours ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    United States copper imports from DRC hit record high

    U.S. copper imports from the Democratic Republic of the Congo hit a record 53,290 tons in July 2026, driven by competitive pricing and a strategic mineral partnership between Washington and Kinshasa.

  2. 3 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    DR Congo launches $180 million mineral mapping project

    The Democratic Republic of the Congo is launching a $180 million geological mapping project to secure control over its critical mineral data, including cobalt and copper, with support from the US and France.

  3. 8 days ago

    [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    DRC becomes second-largest copper supplier to the United States

    The U.S. recorded record copper imports in July 2026, with the DRC becoming its second-largest supplier at 24% of volume, driven by strategic mineral security and Congolese efforts to diversify from China.

Sources

africapresse.com · congointer.info · correiokianda.info · diario-octubre.com · sikafinance.com · von.gov.ng

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history