DRC Copper Exports Fall 17.3%

Monday 29th December 2025

By inAfrika Newsroom

Democratic Republic of Congo’s mining ministry has confirmed that DRC copper exports fall 17.3 percent 2025 in the first nine months of the year, even as global prices stay near record highs. Exports dropped to 1.91 million tonnes between January and September 2025, down from 2.31 million tonnes over the same period in 2024.

Copper shipments fell sharply in the second quarter, when exports slumped to just over 401,000 tonnes. First and third quarter volumes were each about 757,000 tonnes. Officials did not give reasons for the drop. However, operators and analysts point to disruptions at the giant Kamoa-Kakula complex and tighter export controls on some concentrates.

Congo exported a record 3.10 million tonnes of copper in 2024, up 13% from 2023.  It is the world’s second-largest copper producer, and its output is key to global electric-vehicle and power-grid supply chains.

Kamoa-Kakula’s operator, Ivanhoe Mines, cut its 2025 guidance after a seismic incident in May forced a partial shutdown. Production is now expected to be capped at 420,000 tonnes this year, well below the earlier target range of 520,000–580,000 tonnes. Other mines, including Glencore’s KCC and Mutanda as well as CMOC’s Tenke Fungurume and Kisanfu, have kept output stable but could not offset the shortfall.

Meanwhile, Afreximbank data show copper prices have risen more than 30% this year, helped by strong demand for low-carbon energy systems and tight supply from Chile and Peru.

Next steps – DRC copper exports fall 17.3 percent 2025

The mines ministry is under pressure to explain the second-quarter slump and offer a plan for 2026. Market watchers expect Kinshasa to speed up approvals for brownfield expansions while pushing for more local processing before export.

In addition, investors want clarity on any future export rules for concentrates, which in past years have caused delays. Congo is also in talks with Afreximbank and other lenders to finance new smelters that could add value to ore sold abroad.

Why it matters – DRC copper exports fall 17.3 percent 2025

Congo’s copper sector is a backbone of its export earnings and public revenue. A prolonged slowdown would hit government budgets, regional logistics corridors and power-grid investment plans that rely on Congolese cathodes.

At the same time, global buyers are looking to DRC to close a looming copper deficit as the world rolls out more renewables and electric vehicles. Any sustained fall in exports could tighten global supply, lift prices further, and shift bargaining power toward producers.