(Ecofin Agency) - The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) produced over 2 million tonnes of refined copper in 2023, according to the International Copper Study Group. This figure is expected to grow with the commissioning of Ivanhoe Mines' new smelter, but much of this increased supply is already tied to China.

The DRC exported 1.48 million tonnes of refined copper to China in 2024, up 71% year-on-year. According to the source, Reuters, the DRC contributed 36.7% of China's copper imports last year, against 10% in 2020. Further growth is anticipated with the upcoming launch of Ivanhoe Mines' smelter in 2025.

Ivanhoe Mines, a Canadian company, operates Kamoa-Kakula, the DRC’s largest copper mine. In 2021, Ivanhoe started building a smelter capable of producing 500,000 tonnes of copper anodes, per year. Chinese companies Zijin Mining and CITIC Metal have already signed agreements to purchase 80% of the smelter’s output over three years.

The deals are pivotal for expanding Congolese copper exports to China. In 2023, the DRC was the world’s second-largest producer of refined copper, spurred by Chinese investments in processing infrastructure. At Kamoa-Kakula, Ivanhoe holds a 39.6% stake—equal to Zijin Mining’s share—while Zijin is also one of Ivanhoe's main shareholders.

China’s dominance in the Congolese mining sector has sparked concerns in Kinshasa. Indeed, Congolese authorities want to diversify partnerships and reduce reliance on the Asian behemoth. In recent months, discussions have been held with countries like the United States and Saudi Arabia.

“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 so as not to depend on a single partner,” said Marcellin Paluku, Deputy Director of Cabinet at the Ministry of Mines, during the Future Minerals Forum in Riyadh in January 2025.

This article was initially published in French by Emiliano Tossou
Edited in English by Ola Schad Akinocho