The Authority for the Regulation and Control of Markets of strategic mineral substances (ARECOMS) announced on Saturday the extension, until October 15, 2025, of the temporary suspension of all exports of cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Starting on 16 October, the global supply will be managed by imposing annual export quotas.

The authority for the regulation and control of the markets of The country's strategic mineral substances said that the miners will authorized to ship up to 18,125 tons of cobalt until the end of the year 2025, with annual ceilings of 96,600 tonnes in 2026 and 2027.

In a decision made public, ARECOMS states that at As of October 16, 2025, the suspension will be lifted and replaced by a quota policy “until further notice”.

For the period from October 16 to December 31, 2025, a maximum volume of 18,125 tonnes may be exported, i.e. 3,625 tonnes in October and 7,250 tons in November and December. For the year 2026, a ceiling of 96,600 tonnes is fixed, including a basic quota of 87,000 tonnes distributed at a rate of 7,250 tons per month, and a strategic quota of 9,600 tons reserved for ARECOMS. The same volumes will apply in 2027, subject to adjustments.

Some businesses will be excluded from this system: those having exported less than 100 tons in 2024 (with the exception of the Enterprise general cobalt, EGC), those with a refinery without exploiting cobalt mines over the past five years, and those whose deposits are exhausted.