Manono Lithium SAS (Zijin Mining + Cominière)

About

Manono Lithium SAS is the joint venture developing the Manono Lithium Mine — set to be the Democratic Republic of the Congo's first lithium mine and one of the largest lithium projects in the world. The JV is 61% owned by Jinxiang Lithium (a subsidiary of Zijin Mining Group, one of China's largest gold and copper miners) and 39% by Cominière (La Congolaise d'Exploitation Minière, a DRC state-owned enterprise). The mining licence for the project was granted in September 2024. The Manono deposit is located in Tanganyika Province, southeast DRC, approximately 350 km north-northwest of Lubumbashi, within one of the world's largest spodumene pegmatite systems — the Roche Dure pegmatite — at an average grade of 1.51% lithium oxide. The project is designed with a total mining and processing capacity of 5 million tonnes per annum, with a smelter producing 500,000 tonnes of spodumene concentrate and 95,170 tonnes of crude lithium sulfate annually. As of early 2026, mine construction is underway with accommodation camp and Phase 1 solar farm commissioned; a nearby hydroelectric facility (Mpiana-Mwanga) has been rehabilitated to supply power; commissioning is targeted for June 30, 2026. First lithium exports are expected immediately after commissioning. The project is embroiled in a legal dispute: Australian company AVZ Minerals (which previously held a 75% interest) has initiated ICSID arbitration against the DRC government and Zijin, claiming its permit was unlawfully revoked in February 2023. KoBold Metals also announced a potential deal to acquire AVZ's stake in May 2025, though no final agreement had been presented as of November 2025. All initial output will be marketed by Zijin on behalf of both partners.

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