Minister: Road damage has caused the reopening of the Congo-Zambia Copper corridor on Tuesday.
Zambia's Infrastructure Minister said on Monday that the main corridor for Democratic?Republic of Congo copper, cobalt?and?other mineral exports will?reopen? on Tuesday?after?road?damage halted?flows. Congo is Africa's biggest copper producer, and the second largest copper producer in the world by output. The world's largest cobalt supplier, it produces over 70% of the global cobalt production and exports the majority of the cobalt along with other important battery minerals.
Congo replaces Gecamines as leader amid mineral talks with US
The government announced on Monday that the president of the Democratic Republic of Congo has replaced Gecamines' chief executive and?board?chair. This is a major shakeup at a time of negotiations with Washington regarding a mineral deal. According to a statement read out on state television, Deogratias Ngele Masudi will be the new chairperson and Baraka Kabemba the chief executive. The statement stated that former Gecamines chairman Guy Robert Lukama was appointed CEO of the Kilo-Moto Gold Mining Company.
Glencore returns $2 billion to its shareholders despite earnings decline
Glencore, the commodity trader and miner, announced its results for '2025 on Wednesday. This was just weeks after Rio Tinto, a larger rival, failed to make a takeover offer. The talks to create a global mining giant worth $240 billion were halted earlier this month due to valuation and ownership disagreements. This highlights the challenges faced by diversified miners who are trying to scale up in order to meet the rising demand for essential minerals.
Andy Home, Andy Home: The US and Canada are now working together to secure critical minerals.
The U.S. president Donald Trump just announced "Project Vault", an $12 billion stockpile of critical minerals intended to protect U.S. manufacturing companies from disruptions in supply. The U.S. will need help to fill the Vault with 60 minerals that are currently classified as "critical". The U.S. is reviving friend-shoring as it seeks to form a metal alliance with China to break its stranglehold on the metals at the heart of modern technology. The U.S. is more popular than ever.
Congo declares it will seek out other partners in the event that US Minerals Framework fails
If the minerals?cooperation agreement with the United States does not lead to concrete projects, then the Democratic Republic of Congo will seek out other partners. The country's mining minister stated that the framework does not result in concrete projects. "Everything that we have done in our relationship with America has been a framework within which we can discuss issues of mutual interest." Louis Watum Kabamba told the crowds at the?Indaba Mining Conference in Cape Town that this is all there is. It could become a major project.
Andy Home, Andy Home: The US and Canada are now working together to secure critical minerals.
The U.S. president Donald Trump just announced "Project Vault", an $12 billion stockpile of critical minerals intended to protect U.S. manufacturing companies from disruptions in supply. The U.S. will need help to fill up the Vault's 60 critical minerals. The friend-shoring game is back and with a vengeance. As the U.S. tries to build a metal alliance to loosen China’s grip on the metals at the core of modern technology. The U.S. has more friends now than ever.
US takes on Chinese dominance in the race for African minerals
Diplomats, executives and analysts have said that the U.S. uses offtake agreements and state-backed financing to compete with China?in a short time frame? in order to secure supplies of African cobalt, copper and other essential minerals. Washington is focusing on Zambia, Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is expected to produce 3.3 million tons of copper by 2024 and account for 70% of global cobalt supply. The U.S., instead of placing U.S.
Glencore focuses on short-term disposals while Rio deal remains elusive
Glencore, the Swiss-based mining company, is likely to sell assets to bolster its copper portfolio after failing to merge with Rio Tinto. The two companies have called off talks to create a global mining giant worth $240 billion due to disagreements over valuation and ownership. This is the third failed attempt at a tie-up, following earlier merger discussions between 2014 and 2024. Sources close to the situation have confirmed that Glencore…
Sources say that Rio Tinto will ask for more time to consider the Glencore deal.
Three people with knowledge of the talks said that Rio Tinto and Glencore will announce a delay in the merger talks before a UK regulatory deadline this Thursday. This is to give Rio more time to evaluate the merits of the deal. Rio Tinto may walk away from the deal, despite pushback by some investors, including those in Australia. These investors want to be "assured" that a deal will generate value, and are opposed to Rio Tinto paying an extra premium. In January, both companies announced that they were in the early stages of a merger.
Glencore is in talks with a US-backed consortium to sell a 40% stake in DRC mining to Glencore
Glencore has been in discussions to sell a 40 percent stake in its copper-and-cobalt operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The assets are valued at $9 billion, including debt. The Orion Critical Mineral Consortium, led by Orion Resource Partners, a private equity fund, and the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation are seeking a combined stake of 40% in Glencore’s Mutanda Mining (KCC) and Kamoto Copper Company projects.
Congo fighting drove spike in insurance costs, squeezing miners, insurer says
Insurance executives said that the cost of copper and cobalt mining increased as well as insurance premiums for political violence in Democratic Republic of Congo. This was due to the unrest in eastern DRC, which boosted 'insurers' but also 'lifted costs for copper-cobalt miner. In January 2025, AFC/M23-backed rebels from Rwanda overran Goma in eastern Congo. This was part of a larger advance by the group that saw it seize more land than ever. The violence caused widespread business closures and left thousands dead.
Glencore's copper production for 2025 is down 11%, as Rio Tinto and Glencore merge.
The company reported on Thursday that Glencore's production of copper will decline by 11% between?2025 and?2030, despite higher copper grades at various mines, which boosted output in the second half. The production for the year was lower than the 850,000 to 875,000 metric-ton forecast. Markets are awaiting a possible offer by rival Rio Tinto to acquire Glencore, which is expected to be made public on?February 5th. Copper, a key element for the transition to lower-carbon energy…
Veteran Ugandan leader eyes new term amid succession talk
After a violent campaign and questions over his successor, it is expected that Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni will extend his four-decade reign in an election held on Thursday. Museveni, a former rebel leader and former president who toppled his predecessor in 1986 is now 81 years old and faces seven opponents. He claims that another four years at the helm - his seventh term – would enable him to "protect" Uganda's relative stability and peace. Bobi Wine is the main challenger among the seven candidates.
Congo will allow the execution of cobalt quotas until March 31, 2025
Mining regulators in the Democratic Republic of Congo have said that the country will allow cobalt shipment under the quotas for the 'last three months of 2020 to be made until the end of March. This is because the preparations for the new quota system take a long time. Analysts estimate that Congo accounted for 70% of the global cobalt mined production, which was around 280,000 tons in this year. A'months-long ban on exports' drove up cobalt prices and impacted the availability of 'the metal required for electric vehicles.
Sources say that samples are collected in Congo for the first shipment of cobalt by CMOC.
Two government sources have confirmed that the Democratic Republic of Congo is collecting samples to prepare for the first shipment of cobalt by Chinese company CMOC under a new quota-based system. This shipment, which should take place within days, will be the first of its kind. Analysts estimate that Congo is responsible for 70% of the world's mined cobalt. A months-long ban on exports has pushed cobalt prices up and reduced the availability of metals needed for electric cars.
Congo pledges to maintain cobalt quotas, as exports return 'within a few days'
After a month-long ban on exports, the Democratic Republic of Congo introduced quotas to limit oversupply, stabilize prices, and curb oversupply. The exports halted as companies waited to be sure of compliance. Congo's Chambers of Mines?said that in a letter sent to the Ministry of Mines, it sought to speak with regulator ARECOMS about?delays? and concerns?over its 10% strategic stock. However, they have yet to receive a reply. ARECOMS confirmed Thursday that Glencore was among the'miners who have been cleared to test the new system.
Cobalt hydroxide, a key component in EV batteries, has seen its price rise due to export restrictions from Congo
Sources in the industry said that prices of cobalt hydrxide, which is used to make chemicals for electric vehicles batteries, have increased sharply this past year due to cobalt export limitations from the top producer Democratic Republic of Congo. Congo suspended cobalt exports from February to October. The goal was to increase state revenue and tighten up oversight. The country has introduced new conditions to exporters that could complicate the recently-introduced system of quotas.
Congo miners urge urgent talks on clearing cobalt export backlog
Congo's mining industry has called on the government to hold urgent discussions in order to clarify the new rules for cobalt export. They also said that legal ambiguities, compliance obstacles and delays could cause global battery supply chains to be disrupted. After a month-long ban on cobalt exports, the Democratic Republic of Congo launched a quota system on 16 October. The regime allocated 18,125 metric tonnes for the fourth quarter, and capped annual exports to 96,600 metric tons starting in 2026.
Are renewables prepared for the COP30 discussion on fossil fuels?
At the climate summit, it may be premature to declare the end to the fossil fuel age. But up to 80 nations are calling for a concrete plan that will move us away from polluting energy. The 195 countries at the COP30, including the oil producers, will have to agree on a plan to reduce oil and gas consumption. There are also practical challenges to overcome, as the demand for electricity is expected to rise due to the increase in artificial intelligence, and the population growth.
Congo tightens its grip on cobalt by imposing new export restrictions
According to a government document reviewed by, the Congo has introduced new conditions for exporters of cobalt. This could complicate a recently implemented quota system, as the country tries to maintain a tight hold on this key mineral. Circular shows that the new conditions include, among others, pre-paying a 10% royalty in 48 hours, and obtaining a certificate of compliance. In October, the Democratic Republic of Congo introduced a quota-based system to replace a long-standing export ban.