The Regulatory Authority for Subcontracting in the Private Sector (ARSP) has issued a decision that directly affects mining supply chains in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In a decision published on Jan. 7, 2026, the regulator ruled that the supply of sulfuric acid, chemical reagents and similar inputs will be restricted exclusively to licensed subcontracting companies, in line with Law No. 17/001 governing private-sector subcontracting.
According to the decision, the supply of sulfuric acid, lime, flotation reagents, extractants and other chemicals used in ore processing is classified as a subcontracting activity in its own right. As a result, these supplies may no longer be provided directly by mining companies or by firms that are not listed in the ARSP’s official register.
The ARSP said the move was prompted by ongoing attempts to bypass subcontracting rules, which have allowed ineligible operators to dominate a strategic segment of the mining industry. Such practices, the regulator said, run counter to the law’s objective of ensuring meaningful participation by Congolese companies in markets generated by mining activity.
Under the new rules, mining companies must source acid and processing reagents exclusively from ARSP-approved subcontractors or face administrative sanctions under existing regulations.
The authority said it focused on the acid and reagents market because of the central role these products play in ore processing, particularly in copper and cobalt production. They are essential to leaching techniques used to extract metals from ore.
Until now, these inputs were largely supplied by foreign firms or entities integrated into major mining groups, limiting access for local suppliers. This, the regulator said, justified targeting the segment for stricter enforcement of subcontracting rules.
The decision forms part of the government’s broader strategy to promote local content and strengthen Congolese small and medium-sized enterprises. It aims to deepen the integration of national companies into the mining value chain and support job creation.
Boaz Kabeya
