DR Congo Bans Copper And Cobalt Concentrate Exports To Boost Domestic Processing

The Democratic Republic of Congo has banned exports of copper and cobalt concentrate, according to a government order reviewed by Reuters, marking the latest push to force mineral processing within the country and capture more value from its natural resources. News of the ban sent benchmark three-month copper prices on the London Metal Exchange up as much as 1.8% to $14,369.50 a metric ton, its highest level since late January.

Congo, the world’s leading cobalt producer and a major copper supplier, is aiming to build up domestic refining capacity rather than export raw materials. The order, signed on June 29 by the mines, foreign trade and economy ministers, states plainly that concentrate exports are prohibited. It took effect immediately, though one-year waivers may be issued under undefined “strategic circumstances.” The order also establishes a new tax framework, with a three-month transition period, covering economically significant mining by-products.

Officials said the ban is meant to push mining companies toward exporting higher-value processed minerals rather than raw concentrate. Congo has taken similar action before, imposing comparable bans in 2013, 2019 and 2023, each time allowing exemptions where domestic smelting capacity fell short. This latest order replaces the 2023 rules entirely with a broader framework governing mineral exports and by-product taxation.

Most of Congo’s copper already leaves the country as refined metal rather than raw concentrate: in the first quarter of 2026, it exported roughly 697,000 tons of copper cathodes compared with about 54,000 tons of copper concentrate. It also shipped nearly 52,000 tons of cobalt hydroxide over the same period.

Mining analyst Christian-Geraud Neema said the ban is unlikely to hit most operators hard, since the majority of Congo’s copper and cobalt is already processed domestically. He noted the Kamoa-Kakula venture, jointly owned by Ivanhoe Mines, China’s Zijin Mining and the Congolese government could feel the greatest impact, as it still exports some concentrate under prior exemptions. Ivanhoe, Zijin and Congo’s chamber of mines had not responded to requests for comment.

The new tax rules apply broadly, including a 55% valuation coefficient for trace and ultra-trace minerals recovered during refining, with royalties charged in addition to those on primary minerals.