Copper exports and local sales in the DRC in the first half of 2021 were 871,956 tonnes, up 10 percent year-on-year, while cobalt sales were 44,654 tonnes, up 15 percent year-on-year, the DRC Minister of Mines said in a report on August 31.
Congo is Africa's largest copper producer and the world's leading cobalt miner. Cobalt is used to make batteries for electric cars and electronics.
Copper production in the DRC reached a record 1.587 million tons in 2020, up 11.8 percent year-on-year, while cobalt production rose to 85,856 tons, up 10 percent from 2019.
Cobalt production fell sharply in 2019 due to low prices.
In 2020, strong second-half gains helped boost copper and cobalt production, despite a sharp fall in battery metal prices during the pandemic that severely affected DRC.
Since 2021, copper prices have surged to their highest levels in nearly a decade, while cobalt has staged a strong recovery. African Mining circle compiled. Please indicate the source of reprint.
