The Democratic Republic of Congo will lift its ban on cobalt exports from October 16 and manage global supply by imposing annual export quotas, the country’s strategic minerals regulator said on Sunday.
Miners will be allowed to ship up to 18,125 tonnes of cobalt for the rest of 2025, with annual caps of 96,600 tonnes in 2026 and 2027, the Authority for the Regulation and Control of Strategic Mineral Substances’ Markets said.
DR Congo, which produced about 70% of global cobalt output last year, suspended exports in February after prices fell to a nine-year low. The move was extended in June, prompting force majeure declarations from major producers including Glencore and China’s CMOC Group.
DR Congo’s artisanal mining sector accounts for a significant share of cobalt output, complicating traceability and compliance for global buyers.
Quotas to be allocated based on historical exports
The move to a quota system comes amid escalating conflict in eastern DR Congo, where the government says illegal mineral exploitation is fuelling violence by M23 rebels.
The new system, backed by Glencore but opposed by CMOC, aims to reduce inventories and support prices. Quotas will be allocated based on historical exports of the critical electric battery material.
DR Congo's regulator said 10% of future volumes will be reserved for strategic national projects and quotas could be revised based on market conditions or progress in local refining.
The regulator can buy back cobalt stocks exceeding the quarterly authorised quotas per company, the regulator's statement signed by its chairperson said.
