Congo withdraws cobalt export quotas that are not being used

The strategic minerals regulator of the Democratic Republic of Congo announced that it would reassign unused cobalt quota rights to a state-controlled entity. This will tighten control over shipments coming from the top producer in world.

In a Monday notice, ARECOMS stated that all export quotas for January-June that are not used by June 30th will be forfeited. They will then automatically be reassigned to its "strategic quota."

CONGO Tightens Grip on Cobalt Supply

Congo, which has more than 70% of the world's reserves of cobalt, implemented export quotas in March and extended first-quarter allocations to the end of June, along with second-quarter allocations.

The price of cobalt OCBc1 has risen 160% to $26 a lb or $57320 a metric ton since February 2025, due to Congo's export restrictions.

ARECOMS stated that the reallocated quota -volumes will support?projects of "national interest", including efforts to boost the local processing, increase the value addition and protect economic interests.

The regulator stated that forfeited quota volume will be deducted by companies from their initial allocations, and cannot be carried over. This effectively penalises operators who fail to ship in time.

The Congo's Mining Chamber did not respond immediately to a comment request.

CMOC, a Chinese company, and Glencore are the two largest cobalt producers in the world. They also operate in Congo, along with Eurasian Resources Group, China's 'Huayou Cobalt', and others.

Only shipments of?cobalt declared to?the Customs System by July 5 are eligible for exports under the first-half quotas. The measures will take effect July 1.

ARECOMS warned that it would withdraw quotas from any company?that fails to export the allocated volumes, transfers quotas, processes third-party material or artisanal materials without authorisation or?breaches regulations.

Congo, along with other African countries, is attempting to tighten its control over its vast natural resource base to maximize the value of the rising demand for electric vehicle batteries. Maxwell Akalaare Adombila is reporting. Ange Adihe Kazongo contributed additional reporting from Kinshasa. Mark Potter (Editing)

(source: Reuters)