🇨🇩 DR Congo → the world · via Kenya

Copper & Cobalt (Katanga Copperbelt) — Export Supply

Overview

The Katanga Copperbelt (Haut-Katanga and Lualaba provinces, around Lubumbashi, Likasi and Kolwezi) is among the richest copper and cobalt regions on earth. The DRC is the world's largest cobalt producer and Africa's largest copper producer. Output is dominated by large licensed mining companies producing LME-grade copper cathodes, copper concentrates and cobalt hydroxide.

We assist industrial buyers and traders with supplier verification, offtake introductions, inspection (SGS / Alex Stewart / AHK), logistics via Dar es Salaam, Durban, Walvis Bay or the Lobito Corridor, and the regulatory documents required by the DRC. Pricing is linked to LME/Fastmarkets references and quoted per contract.

Main markets: China, India, UAE, Europe, South Korea and other industrial markets.

Types, grades & specifications

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

Type 1 of 3 · 🇨🇩 DR Congo

Copper Cathodes (Grade A / LME)

Electrolytic copper cathodes produced by SX-EW plants in Katanga, sold to LME Grade A or high-grade specification with mill and inspection certificates.

Sample priced on invoice Quote this type

Specifications

Cu content	≥ 99.99% (LME Grade A: 99.9935% Cu incl. Ag)
Standard	BS EN 1978 Cu-CATH-1 / ASTM B115
Form	full plate cathodes, bundled
Bundle weight	≈ 2–3 MT
Inspection	SGS / Alex Stewart / AHK weight & assay
Pricing	LME cash settlement ± agreed premium/discount

Type 2 of 3 · 🇨🇩 DR Congo

Copper Concentrate

Flotation concentrate for smelters, with assay on copper, cobalt and deleterious elements.

Sample priced on invoice Quote this type

Specifications

Cu	approx. 20–40% (per mine)
Moisture	≤ 10%
Penalty elements	As, Pb, Zn, Bi per contract
Packing	jumbo bags or bulk
Pricing	LME-linked with TC/RC terms

Type 3 of 3 · 🇨🇩 DR Congo

Cobalt Hydroxide

Intermediate cobalt product for refiners and battery-material producers. Exports are subject to DRC quota allocations administered by ARECOMS.

Sample priced on invoice Quote this type

Specifications

Co content	approx. 20–40% (dry basis)
Moisture	≤ 50% (as shipped, per contract)
Mn, Mg impurities per contract
Packing	1–1.5 MT jumbo bags
Documents	CEEC, ARECOMS quota, export licence
Pricing	Fastmarkets/standard-grade cobalt payable %

Producing regions in DR Congo

Region	Notes
Lualaba (Kolwezi)	Major copper-cobalt mines and hydrometallurgical plants.
Haut-Katanga (Lubumbashi, Likasi)	Smelters, refineries and the Kasumbalesa border to Zambia.

Season

Year-round production; cobalt subject to DRC export quotas.

Packaging

Copper cathodes: bundles ≈ 2.5 MT, strapped
Concentrates: 1–2 MT jumbo bags or bulk
Cobalt hydroxide: 1–1.5 MT jumbo bags

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: 7403.11 (refined copper cathodes) · 2603.00 (copper ores & concentrates) · 8105.20 / 2822.00 (cobalt intermediates & oxides/hydroxides)

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

Product Buying Guides

Buy Tsavorite, Gemstones & Soda Ash from Kenya: A Licensed Supplier Guide

How to buy Kenyan gemstones and industrial minerals legally — permits, valuation, lab reports — and the warning signs of scams.

Read guide →

Sourcing Countries

Import from DR Congo: Buying Congolese Coffee, Cocoa, Copper, Cobalt & Timber Safely

Kivu coffee, fine-flavour cocoa, Katanga copper and cobalt, 3T minerals and Congo Basin hardwoods — and how to move them safely to your port.

Read guide →

Export Market Guides

Import from Kenya to China: Macadamia, Avocados, Soda Ash & Minerals Supplier

GACC-registered Kenyan suppliers and regional minerals for Chinese buyers.

Read guide →

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.

Request a Quotation Order a Sample