China's dominant presence in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mining industry poses a “risk” to the African economy.  Marcellin Paluku, Deputy Cabinet Director at the Ministry of Mines, made the claim yesterday, January 14, in an interview with Reuters. 

“Today, 80% of our mines are with a single partner (China). So it's a risk [...] You never know what might happen. That's why we're now trying to diversify our partnerships, to avoid depending on a single partner,” Paluku declared, on the sidelines of a mining conference in Riyadh.

Further commenting on the DRC’s partnership diversification efforts, Paluku said the Congolese government was eager to negotiate with potential new investors, such as Saudi Arabia, India, and the European Union. However, he did not indicate at what stage these talks were. Regardless, his words match those of Kizito Pakabomba, the DRC’s Mining Minister. In October 2024, Pakabomba said the country sought to “attract better investors, more investors, and diversified investors.” At the time, he had mentioned the United Arab Emirates as a potential partner.

China's influence in the DRC's mining sector is evident in its ownership of major cobalt mines, such as those held by China Molybdenum Company (CMOC), and its significant stake in the Kamoa-Kakula copper mine through Zijin Mining. 

The DRC is the world's leading producer of cobalt and the second-largest producer of copper, making it a focal point for international competition due to the strategic importance of these minerals in the energy transition and advanced technologies. The country's mineral wealth extends beyond copper and cobalt. The Congolese soil hosts other key minerals like zinc, 3T ores, diamonds, gold, uranium, and germanium.

This article was initially published in French by Aurel Sèdjro Houenou (Ecofin Agency)

Edited in French by Ola Schad Akinocho