The DRC’s rich mineral endowment of copper and cobalt makes it a highly sought-after mining supplier to the batteries, electronics and power infrastructure sectors. It is the world’s dominant producer of cobalt, supplying ≈70% of the global total through its DRC cobalt projects, an irreplaceable component in batteries for electric vehicles (EVs) and electronics.

For copper, the DRC is the second top producer globally, delivering around 3.3 million tonnes per annum, with Chile currently leading at ≈5.3 million tonnes, and Peru coming in third, delivering between 2.6 and 2.8 million tonnes. The DRC does, however, host the highest-grade large-scale copper deposits globally, which are largely located at the Kamoa-Kakula copper mining complex. The region’s output is expanding so rapidly, though, that it is on track to challenge for the top position in the coming years.

Beyond this, the country is a major producer of diamonds and holds significant deposits of gold, zinc, and the 3Ts (tin, tantalum, and tungsten), which are vital for electronics and industrial applications. This unique combination of scale, grade, and mineral diversity makes the DRC a strategic focal point for the global mining market.