In a significant shift, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is asserting its influence in the global battery metals market, a key element in the ongoing energy transition.
The recent DRC-Africa Battery Metals Forum held in Kinshasa convened industry leaders, including Dominique Sambwa from SRK Consulting Congo, to explore the evolving opportunities in this sector.
Highlighting the strategic importance of the DRC and Zambia, which together account for over 70% of global cobalt production and a substantial share of copper, the forum discussed their potential transition from raw material exporters to manufacturers of battery precursors essential for cathode production.
Sambwa emphasized the need for governmental collaboration, particularly in establishing Special Economic Zones (SEZs) for battery manufacturing, shared between the DRC and Zambia.
The ongoing prefeasibility study for this initiative is seen as a crucial step in attracting key investors and kickstarting the manufacturing process.
Lindsay Shand, SRK Consulting’s principal environmental geologist, underscored the identified lithium resource areas and stressed the importance of governmental improvements in services, tax laws, and incentives to strengthen the mining sector and related industries.
Pengfei Xiao, managing director of SRK China, highlighted the forum’s emphasis on international mining standards and the significance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects.
This approach ensures that mining benefits local communities and aligns with global sustainability goals.
The forum also addressed the necessity for renewable energy sources, particularly hydroelectric power, in mining operations to reduce carbon emissions, aligning with the ESG focus on sustainable mining practices and battery manufacturing.
Overall, the DRC envisions playing a pivotal role in the global battery metals supply chain, contributing to the energy transition while promoting economic development and sustainability in the region.
SOURCE:miningreview.com
