Key facts
- The Democratic Republic of Congo has authorized the first exports of lithium products from the Manono mine.
- Zijin Mining Group controls the Manono lithium project, marking Congo's entry into the global lithium supply chain.
- Exports commenced in June and are currently being shipped directly to China for processing.
- The Manono project is one of the world's largest undeveloped hard-rock lithium deposits.
- China's Ministry of Commerce issued a paper rejecting claims of industrial overcapacity.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has authorized the first exports of lithium products from the Manono mine, a significant development that marks the country's entry into the global lithium supply chain. The project is controlled by Shanghai-listed Zijin Mining Group Co.
Exports commenced in June, with all current production being shipped directly to China for processing and refining. The Manono project is recognized as one of the world's largest undeveloped hard-rock lithium deposits, positioning the DRC as a potentially key supplier of battery minerals for electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies.
This development reinforces China's dominant position in Congo's mining sector, extending its control over supply chains critical to the global energy transition. The Manono project has been subject to international arbitration and legal disputes, particularly after Congolese authorities revoked permits previously held by Australia's AVZ Minerals and reassigned parts of the project area to Manono Lithium, a joint venture where Zijin holds a controlling 61 percent stake alongside state-owned Cominiere.
Despite ongoing arbitration proceedings, Zijin and Cominiere assert that operations are compliant with Congolese law. Initial shipments are relatively small as production ramps up, with ambitious targets set for future output, including approximately 30,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent in 2026 and up to one million tonnes of spodumene concentrate once fully operational. The project's development involves an estimated $1 billion in costs, funded by Zijin.
The launch occurs amid growing geopolitical competition for critical minerals, with the United States seeking to reduce Western dependence on Chinese supply chains. However, China's investments across Congo's mining industry, now including lithium, continue to strengthen its position and may complicate Western efforts to diversify supply chains.
Separately, China's Ministry of Commerce issued a broad position paper on July 28 rejecting international claims of industrial overcapacity, arguing that production imbalances reflect market dynamics rather than state subsidies or trade surpluses. The pushback comes as major economies increasingly cite a "China Shock 2.0" of heavily subsidized exports as justification for erecting new trade barriers against Chinese goods. The paper, titled China’s Position on the So-Called Overcapacity Issue, urged governments to assess capacity disputes objectively through the lens of economics and to favor cooperation over confrontation.