DR Congo Seeks Resource-Rich Coalition to Control Mineral Supply

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is pushing for a coalition of resource-rich nations—similar to OPEC—to regulate the global supply and pricing of strategic minerals.

Daniel Mukoko Samba, the country’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy, revealed in an interview with Global South World that the DRC is currently in talks with Indonesia, the world’s second-largest cobalt producer, to explore joint strategies for coordinating the sale of minerals and other raw materials.

“We understand that we can’t do it alone—we need cooperation between major producers and exporters,” Mukoko said at the Crans Montana Forum in Casablanca. When asked about forming an alliance of mineral-producing countries, he responded, “That’s what we would like to see happening.”

The DRC, which accounts for 70% of global cobalt production, suspended its cobalt exports in February 2025 following a sharp decline in prices. Since then, Mukoko noted, prices have begun to recover, prompting a re-evaluation of the ban at the end of the four-month suspension period.

Discussions between the DRC and Indonesia have reportedly expanded beyond cobalt to include forestry products and other commodities, signaling a broader ambition to stabilize markets for key raw materials.

Cobalt plays a critical role in manufacturing rechargeable batteries and semiconductors, but its market remains volatile. Over the past decade, prices for cobalt have fluctuated dramatically—from highs above $80,000 per ton to lows under $30,000 per ton. This volatility is compounded by the fact that cobalt is often a byproduct of copper and nickel mining, making its production less responsive to demand trends.

DR Congo’s proposal mirrors the original mission of OPEC, formed in 1960 to coordinate oil production and maintain fair pricing. While OPEC’s influence has waned in recent years, it remains a model for managing the global supply of strategic resources.