MINING (106)
Kamoa Copper, owner of the Kamoa-Kakula copper complex, signed a sales contract with Swiss trader Trafigura to sell 20% of the copper anode output from its smelter. The smelter will begin operations in September 2025. Ivanhoe Mines, a major shareholder in Kamoa Copper, revealed this in its quarterly report on July 8.
The deal, finalized in June, spans three years. Trafigura also provided a $200 million advance loan to Kamoa Copper. The loan carries an interest rate based on the US dollar’s average monthly SOFR rate plus 3.75%. Kamoa Copper will repay this advance with copper anodes equal to the loan amount plus interest.
With this contract, Kamoa Copper secures pre-sales for 100% of its smelter’s production, which is expected to reach 500,000 tonnes of copper anodes per year. Earlier in January, Ivanhoe Mines announced agreements covering 80% of smelter output with Chinese firms CITIC Metal and Gold Mountains International Mining Company, affiliates of Zijin Mining. Zijin Mining also holds stakes in Kamoa Copper and Ivanhoe Mines. That deal included a $500 million advance loan on terms similar to Trafigura’s.
Since starting production in mid-2021, Kamoa Copper has favored pre-sale agreements backed by advance payments. However, the Congolese government, holding a 20% minority stake, has expressed concerns. Alongside Ivanhoe Mines (39.6%), Zijin Mining (39.6%), and Crystal River Global Limited (0.8%), Kamoa Copper operates under Kamoa Holding Limited.
Ivanhoe Mines insists these contracts reflect “competitive and independent commercial terms.” Yet, in December, Congo’s Portfolio Minister Jean-Lucien Bussa criticized Kamoa Copper for selling below market prices. He announced plans for the government to participate in selecting buyers to optimize copper revenues and ensure fair resource valuation. No recent updates have emerged on implementing this measure.
This article was initially published in French by Pierre Mukoko
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on July 8 a 50% tariff on all copper imports, a move intended to repatriate copper production and reduce foreign dependence, which he described as a national security risk.
The United States ranks as the world’s second-largest copper importer after China. It mainly imports refined copper. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, copper imports hit $17 billion in 2024, with $6 billion coming from Chile alone.
The administration has not confirmed an official start date for the tariff but hinted it could take effect as early as August. The announcement immediately sent copper prices soaring on the U.S. market. On the Commodity Exchange (COMEX), futures contracts jumped 13%, marking the largest single-day gain since 1968. Prices then settled just below $5.60 per pound the next day.
Traders reacted to the prospect of costlier copper imports by anticipating shortages. Some signs point to speculative buying, as investors seek to profit from expected price hikes once the tariffs kick in.
Ripple Effects on the DRC
This price surge comes amid strong global demand for copper, a metal essential for electric vehicles (about 80 kg per car), renewable energy, and infrastructure projects. Analysts project a global supply shortfall of 4.5 million tonnes by 2030. This deficit supports prices on international markets, including the London Metal Exchange (LME). Meanwhile, Trump’s push to curb Chinese influence in supply chains adds to trade tensions.
The Democratic Republic of Congo produced roughly 2.5 million tonnes of copper in 2024, about 11% of the world’s supply. The country stands to benefit indirectly from rising prices. Major foreign companies such as CMOC, Zijin Mining, Ivanhoe Mines, and Glencore dominate Congolese copper production. The state usually holds only a minority stake.
Most copper production in the DRC sells through forward contracts, often with entities linked to producers. These agreements fix prices in advance or use past averages, limiting the government’s ability to immediately profit from price spikes. In contrast, mining companies see their stock values rise directly. The Congolese government has expressed interest in joining marketing processes but has made little concrete progress so far.
On the fiscal front, the DRC collects export royalties. However, these taxes often rely on anticipated average prices, which means the government misses out on sudden price jumps.
Medium-Term Prospects
The 2018 Mining Code’s superprofit tax could become a key tool. This 50% tax applies when commodity prices exceed by 25% the economic assumptions in feasibility studies. For example, if a study assumes $4 per pound ($8,818.5 per tonne), the tax applies from $5 per pound ($11,023 per tonne). With U.S. copper prices currently at $5.60 per pound ($12,368 per tonne), this tax is now relevant.
Copper prices rose 38.8% between January and July 2025, from $4.04 to $5.61 per pound, and nearly doubled over five years. Many projects now exceed the superprofit tax threshold. However, estimating the exact fiscal gain remains challenging.
The long-term impact of the U.S. tariff on the DRC depends on how it influences prices and demand. Analysts agree U.S. copper imports will not drop immediately despite the tariffs. The U.S. lacks the mines, smelters, and refineries to meet its needs alone. Projects like Resolution Copper require 7 to 10 years and billions in investment to come online.
The U.S. imports about 45% of its copper needs. Washington may even increase copper purchases to support its reindustrialization plans. Global demand should grow 3 to 5% annually through 2030, driven by the energy transition.
If the DRC boosts production to 3.5 to 4 million tonnes, as planned with expansions like Kamoa-Kakula, the country could earn $30 to $40 billion annually in export revenues by then.
Georges Auréole Bamba
Dowstone Technology, a Chinese company specializing in battery materials, announced on July 3, 2025, its plan to build a new copper smelter in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The company intends to invest $165 million in the plant, which is expected to produce 30,000 tons of copper cathodes annually. Construction for the facility is projected to take 18 months.
Subject to regulatory approvals from both countries, this project could ultimately strengthen China’s presence in the refined copper sector within the DRC. Several Chinese companies have been investing in local processing of Congolese copper in recent years. Dowstone itself is already active in the country, reporting cathode production units with an annual capacity exceeding 60,000 tons as of late 2024. China Nonferrous Mining Corp (CNMC) also operates the Lualaba Copper Smelter, which opened in 2020 and has a processing capacity of 100,000 tons of copper.
Meanwhile, Chinese groups Zijin Mining and CITIC Metal have signed agreements with Canadian company Ivanhoe Mines to secure 80% of the output from the upcoming Kamoa-Kakula smelter. This facility, set to begin operations in September 2025, will be Africa's largest of its kind with an annual processing capacity of 500,000 tons of copper. Notably, Zijin Mining is already directly involved in the project due to its 39.6% stake in the Kamoa-Kakula mine.
China's Growing Footprint in DRC Copper
China's significant involvement in refined Congolese copper highlights the evolving trade relationship between the two nations. In 2024, Congolese exports of refined copper to China reached 1.48 million tons, marking a 71% annual increase.
As a major hub for refining strategic minerals, China is also a large consumer, relying on key supply sources to meet its demand. The DRC, for its part, is Africa's leading copper producer and ranks second globally.
However, this new project announced by Dowstone comes as Kinshasa looks to diversify its mining partners. According to Marcellin Paluku, Deputy Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Mines, 80% of Congolese mines are operated in partnership with Chinese companies, which he views as a "risk" to the local economy.
The government is therefore seeking other partners, such as the United States and Saudi Arabia, to lessen this reliance. The impact of this strategic shift on future Chinese investments remains uncertain for now.
Aurel Sèdjro Houenou, Ecofin Agency
Maniema province has become the Democratic Republic of Congo’s leading center for legal artisanal gold exports. Since DRC Gold Trading SA opened its Kindu branch on March 25, 2025, the province has exported 447.028 kilograms of gold. That’s 42.3% of all the country’s official artisanal gold exports.
The shift follows DRC Gold Trading SA’s withdrawal from South Kivu. The region once accounted for over 90% of legal artisanal gold exports in 2023 and 2024. But worsening insecurity, including the advance of M23 rebels, forced the company to halt operations there in March. As a result, most South Kivu gold now avoids official channels and fuels informal cross-border trade.
This disruption undermines the company’s February pledge to export at least 5 tons of artisanal gold in 2025, worth about $1.3 billion.
To fill the gap left by South Kivu, DRC Gold Trading SA opened new branches this year in Buta (Bas-Uélé), Bunia (Ituri), and Isiro (Haut-Uélé). Yet early results show exports lag far behind expectations. Nationwide, the company shipped only 1,057.88 kilograms of gold in the first half of 2025, meeting just 21% of its annual target.
This article was initially published in French by Timothée Manoke, intern
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum
IXM, the metals trading unit of China Molybdenum (CMOC), declared force majeure on its cobalt supply contracts on June 30. This decision followed the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) extension by three months of the cobalt export ban, which was initially imposed on February 22, 2025.
IXM explained that the extended export ban makes it both legally and practically impossible for its suppliers—including Tenke Fungurume Mining and CMOC Kisanfu Mining—to export cobalt-based products from the DRC. This situation directly affects IXM’s ability to fulfill its contractual obligations. The company emphasized that despite the increased volatility in the global cobalt supply chain, it remains committed to managing this disruption responsibly while respecting all contractual and regulatory frameworks.
According to S&P Global Ratings, a European market participant noted that the suspension was inevitable and expressed surprise that it had taken this long to occur. Earlier in March, Telf AG, which markets cobalt for Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), had already declared force majeure to its clients. Glencore, another major player active in the DRC, publicly supported the extension of the export embargo.
IXM’s announcement is likely to unsettle markets amid growing uncertainty about global cobalt supplies. The suspension of exports particularly impacts Chinese refiners, who depend heavily on cobalt hydroxide imports from the DRC.
Behind this export ban, the Congolese government seeks to capture more value from cobalt, a strategic mineral currently sold in raw form on global markets. The country’s mining code imposes a special 15% royalty on cobalt due to its strategic importance. Moreover, the government may impose a superprofit tax if the selling price exceeds the projections made in companies’ feasibility studies.
A Risky Strategy
The public Enterprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) now manages a significant portion of artisanal cobalt mining. This state entity aims to improve revenue collection from a sub-sector that has long operated informally.
Cobalt prices stood at $33,335 per ton on June 30, 2025, according to Trading Economics. This price represents a 61.7% increase since the initial export suspension was announced. However, it remains well below previous peaks of $79,191 in April 2022 and $95,856 in March 2018.
Market observers warn that the DRC’s hardline approach could discourage mining companies from investing or continuing operations in the country. On a global scale, the export ban could accelerate the development of alternative cobalt projects in countries such as Indonesia, Australia, and Canada.
In 2024, the DRC accounted for 73.6% of the world’s cobalt supply. However, S&P Global Market Intelligence projects that this share could decline to 57% by 2035 due to the gradual depletion of ore reserves and Indonesia’s expanding refining capacity using high-pressure acid leaching (HPAL) technology.
Facing these uncertainties, manufacturers of batteries and electric vehicles—who rely heavily on Congolese cobalt—are accelerating their diversification efforts. These efforts include securing long-term supply contracts with other countries, investing in battery recycling technologies, and developing cobalt-free energy storage solutions. Producers of consumer electronics are pursuing similar strategies.
Georges Auréole Bamba
Asia Mineral, a Japanese mining company, has moved to expand its footprint in the Democratic Republic of Congo. On June 28, 2025, it signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Congolese firm Kerith Resources to form a joint venture named Kivuvu Kongo Mines. The new company will mine and process manganese in Kongo Central province.
The deal was signed during the DRC-Japan Economic Forum in Tokyo under the theme “Investing in the DRC.” Prime Minister Judith Suminwa Tuluka led the Congolese delegation, joined by several government officials.
According to Actualité.cd, Felly Samuna, president of the Kongo Central Chamber of Commerce and Industry, confirmed the joint venture will be officially established in the province within two weeks. Asia Mineral will hold 60% of the venture, and Kerith Resources, a Congolese partner with limited public profile, will hold the remaining 40%.
Uncertain Reserves, Clear Intentions
Kivuvu Kongo Mines plans to tap into manganese reserves in Kongo Central. However, officials have not confirmed the site’s full potential. Asia Mineral began the exploration phase in Luozi territory in May.
At a Tokyo press conference, Foreign Trade Minister Julien Paluku said the project’s initial investment stands at $50 million. He said the company aims to produce 2 million tonnes of manganese annually.
The project could generate 2,500 direct jobs and stimulate local industries, including logistics, industrial subcontracting, and services.
For the Congolese government, the venture supports its broader strategy to diversify the mining sector. Officials aim to attract more partners, explore new minerals, expand mining areas, and promote local processing to increase the value of extracted resources.
This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya (intern)
Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum
The Congolese state has secured a 10% stake in Buenassa Resources SA, the subsidiary developing the Democratic Republic of Congo’s first copper and cobalt refinery. Minister of State Portfolio Jean-Lucien Bussa and Buenassa Resources CEO Eddy Kioni signed the memorandum of understanding on June 25.
Buenassa stated that this 10% stake is a golden share. While minority, it gives the government veto rights over strategic decisions affecting national interests, such as employment, taxes, local content, environmental issues, and the company’s overall strategy. To formalize this, Buenassa Resources changed its legal status from a limited liability company to a public limited company with a board of directors that now includes state representatives.
This agreement, described as a “strong signal to partners and investors,” opens the door for fundraising. Internal sources said Buenassa aims to raise $7 million to $8 million for the project’s feasibility study. The Congolese government has already contributed $3.5 million through the Industry Promotion Fund (FPI) to finance the initial scoping study.
The scoping study estimates the first phase of the project will cost $600 million. The refinery, expected to start operations by the end of 2027, should initially produce 30,000 tonnes of copper cathodes and 5,000 tonnes of cobalt sulfate each year. Ultimately, Buenassa plans to increase production to 120,000 tonnes of copper and 20,000 tonnes of cobalt annually.
The 12-month feasibility study will detail the project’s technical and economic plan, including the plant’s supply model. Officials are considering two options: using the state’s share of mining output or cobalt quotas reserved for local processing. The government reiterated during the Council of Ministers meeting on March 14, 2025, its commitment to better regulate cobalt exports and encourage domestic processing.
Buenassa’s management plans to start the feasibility study by September. However, they still need to secure a final site. They have identified a potential plot in Lualaba province, but the location remains unconfirmed.
Pierre Mukoko, Intern
Local communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) were deprived of $198 million between 2018 and 2023. This shortfall resulted from underreporting, partial payment, or non-payment of the mandatory minimum allocation of 0.3% of turnover by mining companies. A report from the Court of Auditors revealed these findings, highlighting issues in the management of funds intended for community development projects in mining areas.
Published in June 2025, the audit specifically found discrepancies between revenues mining companies reported to the DOTS, the entities managing the allocation, and figures declared to the Directorate General of Taxes (DGI). This deliberate underreporting led to a $154.7 million deficit over the audited period.
Additionally, some companies made only partial payments, accumulating an outstanding balance of over $40.4 million. Others made no payments at all, creating an additional shortfall of $2.8 million.
Major companies implicated in the report include Kamoa Copper (Ivanhoe Mines and Zijin Mining), Kamoto Copper Company (Glencore), Sicomines (Crec-Sinohydro-Zhejiang), and Tenke Fungurume Mining (CMOC).
The Court of Auditors recommends that the Supervisory Committee order the affected companies to regularize their payments or face sanctions, potentially including the suspension of operations for gross misconduct. However, the report expressed regret over the lack of action by successive Ministers of Mines. It also called for establishing a systematic verification mechanism for turnover figures between the DGI and the DOTS.
This article was written in French by Boaz Kabeya (intern),
Edited in English by Mouka Mezonlin
AVZ Minerals Limited has resumed its arbitration case against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) over the prized Manono lithium deposit, the Australian mining company announced in a statement issued on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
AVZ had announced on May 26 that it was temporarily suspending proceedings before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) until June 23. The company stated at the time that this pause aimed to foster "a climate conducive to discussions" in hopes of reaching an amicable resolution. However, that effort collapsed. AVZ now accuses the DRC of refusing to participate in any dialogue during the suspension window. "Despite AVZ’s best endeavors, the DRC did not engage with AVZ during the period of temporary suspension and that suspension has now lapsed,” the firm stated bluntly.
Congolese authorities have not commented on the situation as of yet. Their silence leaves open the question of why negotiations failed, especially since ICSID had confirmed the suspension was mutual and in line with both parties' agreement.
KoBold's Deal Loses Ground
This legal escalation directly threatens the January 21 offer made by American company KoBold Metals. Backed by investors including Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos, KoBold proposed to end the dispute by providing "appropriate compensation" to AVZ, in exchange for AVZ abandoning its claims on Manono in KoBold's favor. The offer initially appeared promising. On May 6, KoBold and AVZ signed a framework agreement, stating that AVZ would transfer its commercial interests in the Manono lithium deposit to KoBold at a fair market value.
However, the agreement carried a major condition: the DRC would need to either grant AVZ a mining permit or formally recognize its rights over the site. Kinshasa has refused to meet that condition, putting the entire KoBold offer on unstable ground. As a result, AVZ saw no alternative but to restart its legal offensive. The company initially brought the case to ICSID in June 2023, and the latest move signals its determination to press ahead.
At the heart of the conflict lies exploration permit PR 13359. AVZ claims legal rights over this portion of the lithium deposit. However, Congolese courts awarded 100% control of the permit to state-owned Cominière, reversing an earlier arrangement where AVZ had co-managed the license through a joint venture with the public enterprise.
American Sponsor's Influence and Geopolitical Stakes
Following that ruling, Cominière formed a new partnership with Chinese conglomerate Zijin Mining, creating Manono Lithium SAS. This joint venture, 61% owned by Zijin (via its subsidiary Jinxiang Lithium) and 39% by Cominière, has obtained an exploitation permit for the northeastern part of the deposit and plans to begin lithium production in the first quarter of 2026.
Parallel to its ICSID case, AVZ is also suing its former partner Cominière before the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce. This legal battle has already yielded results, with the tribunal ruling in AVZ’s favor and ordering Cominière to pay 39.1 million euros in penalties for non-compliance with prior court orders.
According to AVZ, the temporary pause in arbitration followed a call from the U.S. government, which encouraged both parties to take steps to foster a climate conducive to discussions. This legal and corporate drama unfolds against a backdrop of complex geopolitics. Washington is concurrently negotiating a "minerals for security" agreement with the DRC. Under this proposed deal, the U.S. would offer military and strategic assistance to help stabilize Congo’s eastern provinces. In return, the DRC would grant preferential access to U.S. companies operating in the mining sector.
At the same time, American and Congolese officials are working on a broader peace accord involving the DRC and Rwanda. The signing of both agreements is announced for the end of the month. The DRC’s stance in the AVZ-KoBold case, and its continued silence, raises new questions.
This article was initially published in French by Pierre Mukoko
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has joined other African nations in a united effort to counter the growing market for synthetic diamonds. During the International Ministerial Roundtable on Natural Diamonds, held in Luanda, Angola, from June 17 to 19, 2025, Africa's leading diamond producers and global industry leaders pledged 1% of their revenues to promote and market natural diamonds. Along with the DRC, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Angola are also signatories to this agreement.
The diamond sector has been significantly impacted by the rise of synthetic diamonds, often perceived as more affordable and environmentally friendly. This shift has intensified pressure on natural diamonds, leading to a sharp decline in prices. Prices fell from $12.50 per carat in 2022 to $9.60 in 2024, a 23.2% drop.
Promoting Natural Diamonds
The Natural Diamond Council, a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting natural diamonds, is leading a global awareness campaign. According to Angola’s Ministry of Mineral Resources, as cited by Le Monde, this campaign aims to educate a new generation of consumers about the rarity, authenticity, and socioeconomic benefits that natural diamonds bring to local communities and producing countries.
At the roundtable, Kizito Pakabomba Kapinga Mulume, the DRC’s Minister of Mines, urged a coordinated effort to revitalize the natural diamond sector. He described the sector as a driver of development, a vehicle for peace, and a vital source of added value for local populations. He also emphasized the need to establish an ethical, traceable, transparent, and fair value chain for African natural diamonds.
Despite being among the world’s top diamond producers, the DRC faces significant challenges in its diamond sector. Official figures show that the country’s diamond exports have dropped from 17.9 million carats in 2017 to just 9.2 million in 2024. This decline is largely attributed to structural difficulties faced by the country's main producers, including Bakwanga Mining Company (MIBA) and Anhui-Congo Mining Investment Corporation (SACIM).
This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya (intern)
Edited in English by Mouka Mezonlin
More...
Highlights:
• Twangiza Mining not listed among DRC gold producers since 2021
• Q1 2025 industrial gold output reached 5.9 tons, led by Kibali Gold
• Company’s claim of recent activity contrasts with official data and long absence
Twangiza Mining announced on May 8 that it was suspending operations. However, the move will have no impact on the Democratic Republic of Congo’s official gold production figures. Why? Because the company has been off the country’s official list of gold producers since 2021.
In the first quarter of 2025, official industrial gold output in the DRC reached 5.9 tons. That total came from Kibali Gold (5.86 tons), MCCR (18.6 kilograms), Kimia Mining Investment (4.9 kilograms), and Sokimo (4.6 kilograms). Twangiza Mining was not listed.
Official records show that Twangiza disappeared from the national gold producer registry in 2021. One year earlier, Banro—the Canadian company that had operated the Twangiza mine since 2012—sold its stake to minority shareholder Baiyin International Investments for a symbolic one Congolese franc.
By the time of the sale, Twangiza’s output had dropped sharply due to repeated attacks by armed groups. Production fell from nearly 5 tons in 2015 to 3.4 tons in 2018, then to 1.3 tons in 2019, and finally dropped to zero in 2020.
Yet when the company announced its recent suspension, CEO Chao Xianfeng stated that Twangiza had resumed operations in recent years. He said the company had halted activity again due to conflict with M23 rebels and their Rwandan allies, who have controlled the mine since May 2025. That would suggest the company was active at least during Q1 2025, but no output was reported.
The situation has drawn more scrutiny, especially following recent remarks by South Kivu Governor Jean-Jacques Purusi Sadiki. On April 2, speaking before the Foreign Affairs Committee of the French National Assembly, he alleged that at least 1,600 companies are illegally exploiting mineral resources in eastern Congo. Many of them, he added, are backed by Chinese capital and are allegedly smuggling gold to Middle Eastern countries, including Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.
Reported by Pierre Mukoko and Boaz Kabeya, intern
Ivanhoe Mines has lowered its 2025 copper production forecast for the Kamoa-Kakula project to between 370,000 and 420,000 tonnes, following a seismic incident in May that temporarily halted underground operations at the Kakula mine. The updated estimate was released in a company note dated June 11.
The new projection marks a nearly 30% reduction from the company’s initial guidance of 520,000 to 580,000 tonnes. Even the upper limit of the revised forecast falls short of 2024’s output of 437,061 tonnes—representing a 4% year-on-year decline.
While operations have resumed in the western wing of the Kakula mine, concentrators 1 and 2 are still running at just 50% of their combined processing capacity. Only the Kamoa mine and concentrator 3 remain fully operational.
The revised outlook undercuts Ivanhoe’s previous trajectory for the project, which had seen a 12% production increase in 2024. The company has also withdrawn its 2026 target of reaching 600,000 tonnes, citing the need for a broader operational reassessment.
Ivanhoe said restart efforts are underway in the eastern section of Kakula, but warned that the situation remains unstable. The company emphasized that it is still too early to "predict precisely the potential disruption caused by unexpected new seismic activity, the integrity of underground infrastructure, the ability to accelerate operations, the completion of dewatering work or the time required to access new mining areas".
The Kamoa-Kakula project is jointly owned by Ivanhoe Mines and Zijin Mining (each holding 39.6%), with the Congolese state retaining a 20% stake. The project remains one of the largest copper developments on the continent, but the recent incident has cast uncertainty over its near-term performance.
This article was initially published in French by Pierre Mukoko (Ecofin Agency)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
The Democratic Republic of Congo produced 1.74 million carats between January and March 2025—a 26% decline from the 2.35 million carats produced during the same period last year. The drop continues a multi-year downward trend driven by structural issues and global market pressures. It was determined by the Ministry of Mines' Technical Cell for Mining Coordination and Planning (CTCPM).
The source indicates that artisanal mining is still the country’s dominant source of diamond production, accounting for over 80% of total output in Q1 2025, or roughly 1.39 million carats. The Kasaï Oriental province alone contributed an overwhelming 93.7% of artisanal output, followed by Kasaï Central. Other regions, including Sankuru, Kwango, Ituri, and Nord-Ubangi, made only marginal contributions.
On the industrial side, production reached 344,049 carats—about 19.7% of the total. The sector is heavily reliant on SACIM (Société Anhui-Congo d’investissement minier), which produced 97% of the country’s industrial diamonds this quarter. The once-dominant state-owned MIBA contributed just 3%, hampered by outdated equipment and chronic operational difficulties. Monthly figures revealed a steep decline: only 52,305 carats were produced in March, compared to 155,241 in January.
Semi-industrial output remains negligible, with just 485 carats recorded, representing 0.03% of total national production.
Over the past five years, the DRC’s diamond industry has seen continued volatility. Since peaking at 3.15 million carats in Q1 2022, output has steadily declined—now nearly halved. Analysts attribute the drop to aging industrial infrastructure, limited investment, and growing reliance on artisanal extraction.
Exports are also falling. The DRC exported 1.91 million carats in Q1 2025, down 3% from the previous year. The United Arab Emirates remains the primary destination, receiving nearly 1.68 million carats (87.7%) worth around $8 million. Belgium and India followed with 11.7% and 0.6% of export volumes, respectively.
Globally, the diamond market faces a crisis of confidence. Natural diamonds are under pressure from the rapid rise of synthetic alternatives—seen as more affordable and environmentally friendly. Prices have dropped significantly, from $12.5 per carat in 2022 to $9.6 in 2024, a 23.2% decline that continues to weigh on producers across the value chain.
This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya (intern)
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho
Diamond producers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) recently regained the freedom to sell their production without restrictions tied to a limited list of buyers. On June 2, 2025, Mines Minister Kizito Pakabomba officially rescinded the 2022 ministerial decree that had regulated sales of minerals under the supervision of the Centre d'expertise, d'évaluation et de certification des substances minérales précieuses et semi-précieuses (CEEC).
The minister declared that the 2022 decree was nullified as it conflicted with articles 85 and 108 of the Mining Code, which guarantee mining rights holders the freedom to market minerals extracted from their concessions. He emphasized that mining production regulation must strictly adhere to the Mining Code and its implementing regulations, rejecting any inappropriate supplementary rules.
The revoked decree had assigned CEEC the exclusive role of marketing precious and semi-precious minerals—including diamonds, gold, colored stones, and artisanal mining products—through appraisal, evaluation, and certification. The diamond sector, in particular, suffered under this regime due to the Kimberley Process’s strict certification requirements and the introduction of auctions.
Société Anhui Congo Investissement Minier (Sacim), a diamond producer jointly owned by the Congolese state and China’s Anhui Foreign Economic Construction Corporation Limited, welcomed the repeal. Sacim had actively lobbied for months against the decree, which it blamed for its ongoing financial difficulties.
Ronsard Luabeya (intern)