The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has imposed an immediate ban on exports of copper and cobalt concentrates, marking a major step in the government's strategy to expand domestic mineral processing and retain a larger share of the value generated by its vast mining sector.

According to a government order reviewed by Reuters, the measure entered into force immediately and forms part of a broader policy aimed at strengthening local industrial capacity in one of the world's most resource-rich countries.

The order, signed on June 29 by Mines Minister Louis Kabamba Watum, Foreign Trade Minister Julien Paluku Kahongya, and Economy Minister Daniel Mukoko Samba, states that "the export of copper and cobalt concentrates is prohibited."

While the ban takes effect immediately, the government said one-year export waivers may be granted under strategic circumstances, although no further details were provided regarding the criteria.

The order also establishes a new tax regime for economically significant mining by-products, with a three-month transition period before the measures are fully implemented.

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Government pushes value-added mineral processing

The DRC is the world's largest producer of cobalt and one of the leading suppliers of copper, both of which are essential for electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy technologies, and the global energy transition.

Officials said the latest measures are intended to encourage mining companies to process minerals domestically rather than exporting raw concentrates.

According to the order, the policy is driven by "the need to encourage mining operators to market or export commercial mineral products with high added value."

The latest ban replaces a 2023 framework governing concentrate exports and expands regulations covering mineral exports and the taxation of mining by-products.

The DRC has previously imposed similar restrictions in 2013, 2019, and 2023, while issuing exemptions where domestic smelting capacity was insufficient.

Copper prices climb after export ban

Global commodity markets reacted quickly to the announcement.

Following Reuters' report on the government order, benchmark three-month copper contracts on the London Metal Exchange rose by as much as 1.8% to $14,369.50 per metric ton, their highest level since January 29, when copper reached a record $14,527.50 per metric ton.

Mining company Ivanhoe Mines said its Kamoa-Kakula copper complex, operated in partnership with Zijin Mining and the Congolese government, has received multiple exemptions allowing concentrate exports since production began in 2021.

The company said most concentrate produced at Kamoa-Kakula is already processed either at its on-site smelter or at the Lualaba copper smelter in Kolwezi. It also confirmed that the Kipushi Mine currently holds an exemption permitting exports of zinc concentrates.

According to official data, the DRC exported 696,725 tons of copper cathodes during the first quarter of 2026, compared with 53,926 tons of copper concentrates, containing 18,863 tons of copper metal.

During the same period, the country exported 51,940 tons of cobalt hydroxides, containing 17,054 tons of cobalt metal.

Mining analyst Christian-Geraud Neema of the China-Global South Project said the measure is unlikely to significantly disrupt most producers, as much of the country's copper and cobalt output is already refined domestically. However, operations that continue exporting concentrates under exemptions, including Kamoa-Kakula, could face greater impacts.

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