🇨🇩 DR Congo → the world · via Kenya

Tin, Tantalum, Tungsten (3T) & Gold — Export Supply

Eastern DRC (North and South Kivu, Maniema, Tanganyika and Haut-Lomami) produces cassiterite (tin ore), coltan (columbite-tantalite) and wolframite (tungsten ore), largely from artisanal and small-scale mines, plus artisanal and industrial gold. These are 'conflict minerals' under EU and US rules, so traceability is essential.

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Overview

We work only with licensed comptoirs and exporters using ITSCI tagging (or equivalent) from mine site to export, ICGLR regional certificates and CEEC export certification, and with downstream smelters that participate in the RMI Responsible Minerals Assurance Process.

Main markets: Smelters and refiners in China, Malaysia, Thailand, Europe, UAE and the USA.

Types, grades & specifications

Typical specifications; exact parameters are confirmed per lot on the quotation, inspection report and certificate of analysis.

Type 1 of 4 · 🇨🇩 DR Congo

Cassiterite (tin ore concentrate)

Tin oxide concentrate from Kivu and Maniema, sold on assay to tin smelters.

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Specifications

Mineral	SnO₂
Sn content	approx. 60–72%
Moisture	≤ 1%
Traceability	ITSCI tags, ICGLR certificate
Pricing	LME tin-linked, assay-based

Type 2 of 4 · 🇨🇩 DR Congo

Coltan (columbite-tantalite)

Tantalum-niobium ore used for capacitors and electronics, from licensed eastern DRC mines.

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Specifications

Ta₂O₅	approx. 20–40%
Nb₂O₅	per assay
Radioactivity	declared (U₃O₈+ThO₂) per IATA/IMDG
Traceability	ITSCI / CEEC
Pricing	per lb Ta₂O₅ contained

Type 3 of 4 · 🇨🇩 DR Congo

Wolframite (tungsten ore)

Tungsten concentrate for APT and ferro-tungsten producers.

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Specifications

WO₃	approx. 50–65%
Impurities	Sn, As, S per contract
Traceability	ITSCI / ICGLR
Pricing	per MTU WO₃

Type 4 of 4 · 🇨🇩 DR Congo

Gold (doré, licensed & traceable)

Gold only through licensed exporters with full KYC/AML, CEEC certification, export permits and refinery acceptance.

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Specifications

Form	doré bars
Purity	assayed per bar
Documents	CEEC, export licence, ICGLR certificate, royalty receipt
Due diligence	OECD Annex II, LBMA-refinery acceptance
No untraceable / unlicensed gold

Producing regions in DR Congo

Region	Notes
North Kivu (Rubaya, Walikale)	Coltan and cassiterite.
South Kivu (Kalehe, Shabunda, Mwenga)	Cassiterite, coltan, wolframite, gold.
Maniema & Tanganyika	Cassiterite and coltan (Manono pegmatites).
Ituri & Haut-Uélé	Gold (industrial and artisanal).

Season

Year-round, subject to licensing and security conditions.

Packaging

Sealed, tagged drums or bags (ITSCI)
Gold: sealed, insured secure courier

Export routes

Eastern DRC (Goma, Bukavu, Butembo, Bunia) → Uganda (Kasindi–Mpondwe) or Rwanda (Gisenyi/Rubavu) → Mombasa: 7–12 days by road
Eastern DRC → Kigoma / Lake Tanganyika or by road via Rwanda → Dar es Salaam (Central Corridor)
Katanga copper belt (Lubumbashi, Kolwezi) → Kasumbalesa → Zambia → Dar es Salaam, Durban or Walvis Bay; Lobito Corridor rail via Angola
Western DRC (Kinshasa, Équateur, Kongo Central) → Port of Matadi or Boma on the Atlantic
Air: Goma (GOM), Lubumbashi (FBM), Kinshasa N'djili (FIH) — or via Entebbe / Kigali / Nairobi

Documents

DRC export declaration & licence
OCC inspection / quality certificate
Certificate of Origin (COMESA / SADC / EAC as applicable)
Phytosanitary certificate (agricultural products)
CEEC certificate and ITSCI / ICGLR documentation (minerals)
CITES permit (listed timber species such as afrormosia)
Transit documents (T1, regional bond, RECTS tracking) for Kenya/Uganda/Rwanda routes

HS codes: 2609.00 (tin ores) · 2615.90 (tantalum/niobium ores) · 2611.00 (tungsten ores) · 7108.12 (gold)

Tin, tantalum, tungsten and gold from eastern DRC are covered by the EU Conflict Minerals Regulation (EU 2017/821), US Dodd-Frank Section 1502 reporting and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance. We only work with licensed exporters using ITSCI or equivalent mine-to-export traceability, ICGLR certificates and third-party audited supply chains. Cobalt exports have been subject to DRC export suspension and quota measures since 2025; availability and quotas are confirmed at the time of contract.

Buyer guides

Guides for importers

Sourcing Countries

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Ready to import from Kenya?

Tell us the product, variety, quantity, Incoterm (FOB / CIF / CFR / DAP) and your destination port or airport. We reply with a formal quotation, usually within one business day.

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