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6 clusters · 15 sources · 35 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 increased international trade and shifting production strategies due to government regulations. 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 growth is driven by competitive pricing and a December 2025 strategic partnership designed to secure critical minerals for Washington.

Production dynamics are being shaped by cobalt export quotas. To stabilize prices, the DRC implemented an annual quota system capping national cobalt exports at 96,600 tonnes for 2026 and 2027. In response, Glencore has shifted its operational focus toward copper, reporting a 39% year-on-year decline in cobalt output for the first quarter of 2026 while copper production rose by 19%. Glencore’s DRC assets, including Kamoto Copper Company and Mutanda, now operate primarily as copper mines that produce cobalt as a byproduct. To manage quota limitations, the company has deferred final cobalt processing and is storing excess material in-country. Copper prices in the DRC reached $14,535.25 per tonne in mid-September 2026.

Administrative and industrial reforms are also underway. The DRC is developing a “single window” agency to streamline mining investments. To further unlock mineral potential, the government has launched PC2G-RDC, a three-year nationwide airborne geological mapping programme. Implemented by the National Geological Service of Congo (SGNC) with technical support from Xcalibur Multiphysics Group SL, the project aims to increase geoscientific coverage from 22.27% to 46.1%. Financed by the Mining Fund for Future Generations (FOMIN), the initiative seeks to modernize datasets and reduce exploration risks to attract investment.

Entities

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

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    DRC launches nationwide geological mapping to unlock mineral potential

    The DRC has launched a three-year airborne geological mapping project to increase its geoscientific coverage to 46.1% and identify untapped mineral wealth in key regions.

  2. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    DRC develops single-window agency and refinery plans with U.S. support

    The DRC is creating a centralized agency to accelerate mining investments and is partnering with the U.S. to fund a pre-feasibility study for a new copper and cobalt refinery in Lualaba.

  3. [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    Copper prices rise in DRC as Glencore shifts focus due to cobalt quotas

    Copper prices in the DRC have risen to over 14,500 dollars per tonne, while Glencore shifts focus to copper production due to government-imposed cobalt export quotas.

  4. [BUSINESS] 3 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.

  5. [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.

  6. [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

africa-press.net · africa.businessinsider.com · africapresse.com · afrikactus.com · congointer.info · correiokianda.info · diario-octubre.com · ecofinagency.com · modernminingzambia.com · nasuba.info · omertamedia.fr · sikafinance.com · von.gov.ng · worldstockmarket.net · zambianmining.com

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history