Congo copper exports reach record high as US and Europe sales double
2026-09-16 10:56:56 [Print]
The Democratic Republic of Congo's copper exports reached a record 1.72 million metric tons in the first half of 2026, with shipments to the United States and Europe doubling from 2025 levels, as Kinshasa pushed to diversify critical mineral exports away from China, according to an official report seen by Reuters.
Congo, the world's largest cobalt producer and second-largest copper producer, is at the center of a global race for critical minerals. Chinese companies including CMOC, Huayou Cobalt and Zijin dominate much of the sector, while the United States and European Union have stepped up efforts to secure alternative supply chains.
Copper exports rose to 1,724,217 tons in the January-to-June period from 1,650,189 tons a year earlier, according to the mines ministry's first-half mining statistics report. Cobalt exports fell 6.4 percent to 41,140 tons from 43,930 tons, reflecting export quotas imposed by Kinshasa.
Congo also banned exports of copper and cobalt concentrates in June, although first-half exports of copper concentrate still totaled 151,202 tons, containing 50,629 tons of copper.
Eurasian Resources Group's Frontier Mining, Chinese-owned Kinsenda Copper Company, Everbright Mining and Sabwe Mining were the largest exporters of copper concentrates.
CMOC's Kisanfu mine was the largest exporter of cobalt hydroxide, shipping 24,825 tons, ahead of Glencore's KCC and ERG's Metalkol, the report showed.
Congo, the world's largest cobalt producer and second-largest copper producer, is at the center of a global race for critical minerals. Chinese companies including CMOC, Huayou Cobalt and Zijin dominate much of the sector, while the United States and European Union have stepped up efforts to secure alternative supply chains.
Copper exports rose to 1,724,217 tons in the January-to-June period from 1,650,189 tons a year earlier, according to the mines ministry's first-half mining statistics report. Cobalt exports fell 6.4 percent to 41,140 tons from 43,930 tons, reflecting export quotas imposed by Kinshasa.
Congo also banned exports of copper and cobalt concentrates in June, although first-half exports of copper concentrate still totaled 151,202 tons, containing 50,629 tons of copper.
Eurasian Resources Group's Frontier Mining, Chinese-owned Kinsenda Copper Company, Everbright Mining and Sabwe Mining were the largest exporters of copper concentrates.
CMOC's Kisanfu mine was the largest exporter of cobalt hydroxide, shipping 24,825 tons, ahead of Glencore's KCC and ERG's Metalkol, the report showed.
Copper Scrap Wire 99%min Delivered China
Unit:RMB/mt
China's copper rod producers' number MoM output increase statistics by province by month
Unit: pcs
