Congo revokes unused cobalt export quotas amid tighter supply controls
2026-06-30 11:13:14 [Print]
The Democratic Republic of Congo will withdraw all unused cobalt export rights allocated under first-half quotas and reassign them to a state-controlled entity, the country's strategic minerals regulator has announced, further tightening its grip on shipments from the world's largest cobalt producer.
In a notice reviewed by Reuters on Monday, ARECOMS stated that any export quotas assigned for the January-to-June period remaining unutilized by June 30 will be forfeited and automatically transferred to its "strategic quota" reserve.
Congo, which accounts for more than 70% of global cobalt reserves, introduced the export quota system earlier this year. In March, authorities extended first-quarter allocations through the end of June while simultaneously issuing second-quarter quotas.
According to ARECOMS, the reallocated quota volumes will be directed toward projects considered to be of "national interest," including initiatives aimed at expanding local processing capacity, enhancing value addition, and safeguarding the country's economic interests.
The regulator further clarified that forfeited quota volumes will be deducted from companies' original allocations and may not be carried forward to subsequent periods---a move that effectively penalizes operators that fail to ship within the designated deadlines.
In an additional tightening of logistics procedures, only cobalt shipments registered in the customs system by July 5 will be eligible for export under the first-half quotas. The new measures take effect on July 1.
ARECOMS also issued a warning that it could revoke quotas entirely from companies that fail to export their assigned volumes, transfer quotas to third parties, process third-party or artisanal material without proper authorization, or otherwise violate regulatory requirements.
In a notice reviewed by Reuters on Monday, ARECOMS stated that any export quotas assigned for the January-to-June period remaining unutilized by June 30 will be forfeited and automatically transferred to its "strategic quota" reserve.
Congo, which accounts for more than 70% of global cobalt reserves, introduced the export quota system earlier this year. In March, authorities extended first-quarter allocations through the end of June while simultaneously issuing second-quarter quotas.
According to ARECOMS, the reallocated quota volumes will be directed toward projects considered to be of "national interest," including initiatives aimed at expanding local processing capacity, enhancing value addition, and safeguarding the country's economic interests.
The regulator further clarified that forfeited quota volumes will be deducted from companies' original allocations and may not be carried forward to subsequent periods---a move that effectively penalizes operators that fail to ship within the designated deadlines.
In an additional tightening of logistics procedures, only cobalt shipments registered in the customs system by July 5 will be eligible for export under the first-half quotas. The new measures take effect on July 1.
ARECOMS also issued a warning that it could revoke quotas entirely from companies that fail to export their assigned volumes, transfer quotas to third parties, process third-party or artisanal material without proper authorization, or otherwise violate regulatory requirements.
Samarium Cobalt 30H EXW China
Unit:RMB/kg
China cobalt tetroxide producers' inventory to production ratio statistics by province by month
Unit: %
