Congo mines get metal to port primarily by road and rail through Zambia to one of two Indian Ocean ports: Durban in South Africa (the most commonly used route for copper cathode) or Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Gold from Kibali is exported by air as doré, bypassing surface logistics entirely. A future Atlantic corridor via the rehabilitated Benguela Railway to Lobito, Angola is under development but not yet operational for DRC copper traffic.
The two primary surface routes
Durban corridor (southern route): Road transport from Lualaba mines to the Kasumbalesa DRC-Zambia border crossing, then road or TAZARA/TANRAIL rail through Zambia, Zimbabwe (via Beit Bridge), and South Africa to Durban port. Total distance from Kolwezi approximately 2,400–2,600 kilometres. Journey time typically 7–12 days depending on border delays and road conditions.
Dar es Salaam corridor (eastern route): Road from Lualaba to Kasumbalesa, then road or rail through Zambia to the TAZARA railway to Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. Distance approximately 2,200 kilometres from Kolwezi. Journey time similar to Durban route; subject to port congestion at Dar es Salaam.
Gold air export
Kibali's gold doré is high value per tonne, making air freight economically viable and preferable for security. Doré is flown from Kibali's own airstrip to refineries in South Africa or Switzerland. Air export avoids the road and rail logistics challenges entirely but is only practical for high-value, low-volume mineral products.
Lobito future route
The Lobito Corridor, when operational through to Lualaba, will offer a shorter Atlantic-facing route of approximately 1,500 kilometres from Kolwezi to Lobito port in Angola. The Angolan section of the Benguela Railway is under rehabilitation; the DRC branch line extension is at an earlier stage and its timeline is uncertain.
