Congo’s state miner Gecamines has partnered with Swiss commodities group Mercuria to market copper, cobalt, and other critical minerals.
The alliance aims to increase transparency and revenue for the Democratic Republic of Congo, the world’s top cobalt producer.
Congo, a major copper supplier, is reforming its mining sector to control output and amplify its influence in global markets.
In October, the country introduced a cobalt export quota and launched its first batch of traceable artisanal cobalt last month.
Under the partnership, Gecamines will directly manage sales from joint ventures and compete in international tenders, the companies said.
“This collaboration marks a pivotal step in Gecamines’ journey to strengthen its role in the global metals market,” said chairman Guy Robert Lukama.
Mercuria will provide logistics, financing, trading expertise, and training in operations and risk management under the agreement.
The venture plans to invest in export infrastructure to ease mineral bottlenecks and improve supply chain efficiency, the statement added.
Kostas Bintas, Mercuria’s global head of metals, described the deal as “a redefinition of how Congo interacts with global metals markets.”
Western nations are increasingly seeking critical minerals to reduce reliance on China, with Washington showing particular interest in Congo.
This week, the US brokered a peace deal between Congo and Rwanda, aiming to stabilise eastern conflict zones and secure supply chains.
The agreement ties security commitments to economic frameworks, opening Congo’s copper, cobalt, lithium, and gold reserves to Western investors.
The US International Development Finance Corporation may take a strategic stake, giving end-users potential rights of first refusal on supplies.
Mercuria may expand the partnership to germanium and gallium, vital for semiconductors and solar panels, while exploring additional deals in Congo.
Congo holds roughly 72% of global cobalt reserves, accounting for over 74% of global supply, much sourced from artisanal mines.
