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The Democratic Republic of the Congo will lift its cobalt export ban and introduce quotas in October 2025.
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Release time：2025-09-26
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For the remainder of 2025, miners will be allowed to export up to 18,125 tons of cobalt, while the annual quotas for both 2026 and 2027 will each be 96,600 tons.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) plans to replace its cobalt export ban with an annual quota system, effective October 16, 2025. Under this system, the DRC’s mining regulator will allow mining companies to export up to 18,125 tons of cobalt during the remainder of 2025, followed by annual quotas of 96,600 tons each in 2026 and 2027. According to Reuters, last year the DRC accounted for roughly 70% of global cobalt production. Following a sharp drop in cobalt prices—the lowest in nine years—the DRC imposed an export ban in February 2023. This ban was extended in June of this year, prompting major producers like Glencore, the Swiss mining company, and China’s CMOC Group to declare force majeure. Reports indicate that the DRC’s large-scale, unregulated artisanal mining sector plays a critical role in producing cobalt, a key material for batteries. However, this informal mining activity poses significant challenges for international buyers seeking traceability and compliance. It is claimed that the introduction of the quota system aims to address the escalating conflict in eastern Congo, where the government asserts that illegal mining has fueled violent activities by the M23 rebel group. By implementing the new quota framework, authorities hope to better manage cobalt stocks and stabilize market prices. Sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that while Glencore has expressed support for the quota system, it has faced opposition from CMOC Group.
According to reports, in May 2025, Luoyang Molybdenum Industry has requested the Democratic Republic of Congo to lift the ban on battery metal exports, which was originally set to expire next month. Glencore traders noted that price stability is essential before the export ban can be lifted, as cobalt-producing countries like the DRC and Indonesia need to address the issue of oversupply. Meanwhile, the Strategic Mineral Market Regulatory Authority of the DRC stated that quotas will be determined based on historical cobalt export patterns. The regulator also announced that 10% of future export volumes will be allocated to national strategic projects, with quotas potentially adjusted depending on market conditions or advancements in local refining capabilities.
Additionally, the news agency reported that regulators have the authority to buy back cobalt inventories exceeding the quarterly quotas allocated to individual companies. According to Bloomberg, Glencore is currently in talks to sell its majority stake in Katanga Mining Company (KCC) based in the Democratic Republic of Congo. KCC operates a large-scale copper-cobalt project in the DRC, and amid the sharp decline in cobalt prices, the company is grappling with operational challenges as well as a royalty dispute with the Congolese government.
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