DRC mining exports by product and destination

DRC mineral exports consist primarily of copper cathode, cobalt hydroxide, gold doré, and smaller volumes of copper concentrate, cassiterite, coltan, and wolframite. The destination profile is dominated by China for copper and cobalt, with secondary flows to South Africa, Belgium, Finland, and Switzerland for precious metals and specialty cobalt products.

By product

Copper cathode: The primary copper export product. Produced by SX-EW processing at Mutanda, KCC, and other oxide-ore operations. Grade A cathode (99.99 percent purity) is the standard specification. Kamoa-Kakula currently exports copper concentrate from its flotation circuit; when the on-site smelter is commissioned, it will export blister copper from the DRC.

Cobalt hydroxide: The primary cobalt export form. Produced as a co-product of copper at TFM/KFM, Mutanda, KCC, and Metalkol RTR. Cobalt content approximately 30–40 percent by weight. Shipped to refineries in China (majority), Belgium (Umicore), and Finland (Freeport Cobalt).

Gold doré: Kibali's primary export product. Semi-pure gold-silver alloy exported by air. Refined at facilities in South Africa or Switzerland.

Copper concentrate: From flotation operations including Kamoa-Kakula Phase 1/2 before smelter commissioning. Contains approximately 25–30 percent copper with silver, gold, and sulphur by-products.

3T minerals: Cassiterite, coltan, and wolframite from eastern DRC artisanal miners. These exit primarily through Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi, with formal DRC declarations capturing a minority of actual production.

[Internal link: "full exports guide" → Pillar: DRC export data for miners: copper, cobalt and gold explained]

By destination

China receives the majority of DRC copper cathode and virtually all cobalt hydroxide. Chinese import data from the General Administration of Customs provides the most complete record of DRC mineral arrivals in China and serves as a cross-check against DRC BCC export declarations.

Belgium receives cobalt hydroxide processed by Umicore at its Olen facility. Umicore is one of the largest non-Chinese cobalt processors and sources a portion of its DRC-origin hydroxide through direct off-take arrangements with industrial operators.

Finland receives cobalt hydroxide processed by Freeport Cobalt at its Kokkola facility.

South Africa serves as a transit point for copper and cobalt reaching Durban port and a refinery destination for some gold doré.

[Internal link: "logistics and infrastructure" → Pillar: Mining infrastructure in the DRC: power, roads, rail and corridors]