Tenke Fungurume Mining's "TFM-1" copper cathode brand has been officially registered on the London Metal Exchange (LME), Chinese mining group CMOC said in a March 27, 2026 statement. The accreditation means TFM products "can directly participate in global spot and futures markets for non-ferrous metals" and meet "world-class" standards for quality and production management.

The LME is the world’s main pricing platform for industrial metals. Brand registration allows products to be traded under standardized contracts and access international trading and financing networks. CMOC said the recognition "will enhance the tradability, competitiveness and pricing power" of TFM products on the global market.

The accreditation strengthens CMOC’s integration into global supply chains while reinforcing its position in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s mining sector. Through its subsidiaries TFM and Kisanfu, the group exported 747,468 metric tons of copper in 2025, according to provisional mining statistics—accounting for 22% of the country’s total exports.

In October 2025, CMOC’s board approved a $1.08 billion expansion project at the Kisanfu mine. The program aims to increase annual output by around 100,000 metric tons of copper, with construction expected to take two years and commissioning targeted for late 2027. Once completed, the group is expected to account for more than 30% of national production.

Kinshasa’s demands

The project comes as Kinshasa steps up pressure on major mining groups. At a meeting held March 25, 2026, in Beijing, Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba said the sector’s development rests on "three non-negotiable priorities: increasing production, respecting environmental standards and ensuring tangible benefits for the population."

The ministry is requiring CMOC to comply strictly with environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, with its TFM subsidiary already under regulatory review following pollution allegations. Authorities are also pushing for compliance with Congolese law, particularly on local participation in subsidiary capital, improved living conditions for local communities, support for energy infrastructure, and assistance to artisanal mining zones.

CMOC said LME registration also involves responsible supply chain requirements. The group added that TFM achieved full compliance with the Copper Mark standard in October 2025. That certification, which covers 32 ESG criteria, contributed to meeting the LME’s responsible sourcing audit requirements.

However, LME certification and Copper Mark compliance address only part of Kinshasa’s expectations and do not resolve all concerns surrounding the group’s operations in the DRC.

Pierre Mukoko & Ronsard Luabeya