The Democratic Republic of Congo has started the sampling samples for the first shipment of cobalt from the Chinese group CMOC as part of the new quota system put in place by the authorities. According to two government sources quoted by Reuters, this expedition could take place in the coming days, marking a key step after several months of export bans.

world's largest producer of cobalt, concentrated Congo more than 70% of the global supply, estimated by analysts at around 280,000 metric tons this year. The temporary ban on exports has However, caused a surge in prices and a scarcity of this metal. strategic, essential to the manufacture of batteries for vehicles electric.

The new regulatory mechanism, launched on 16 October, provides for a quota of 18,125 tonnes for the fourth quarter and sets a annual ceiling of 96,600 tonnes from 2026. The stated objective is to better manage flows, stabilize the market and strengthen revenues public.

According to Reuters, Glencore should be the first operator to export cobalt under this regime, through a test expedition intended for test the device. CMOC and Glencore, which are among the two most major world producers, have logically benefited from the most important. The CMOC quota for the fourth quarter is set at 6,650 tonnes, compared to 3,925 tonnes for Glencore.

However, government sources did not specify the Exact volume or date of the first expedition from Tenke Fungurume Mining, a subsidiary of CMOC. A source within the company confirmed the start sampling, while indicating that no shipment was Expected before January. According to her, it would be a low volume shipment falling under the 2025 quota.

Like Glencore, CMOC will have to pay a fee of 10%. % on its exports. “We are currently in the visit phase on site to take samples and facilitate the process before moving on to the next step,” said one of the government sources, adding that the export request had already been submitted. The results of the analyzes are expected within three to four days, before loading starts.

For his part, the CMOC spokesperson, Vincent Zhou, assured that the company had “already implemented a series of devices of export in accordance with Congolese government procedures”, without provide more details

These advances come at a time when the mining chamber of The DRC recently called for urgent discussions to lift the zones legal issues and compliance challenges. The organization is worried including new requirements, such as prepaying 10% of the fee within 48 hours and the obligation to present a certificate of compliance prior to any cargo movement, which may delay exports and to disrupt global battery supply chains.