DRC Begins Lithium Exports from Manono as Country Emerges as Key Battery Mineral Supplier
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially entered the global lithium supply chain after the first shipments of lithium concentrate from the Manono district in Tanganyika Province began moving to China, marking a historic milestone for the country’s mining sector.
The development positions the DRC as an emerging supplier of critical minerals required for the global energy transition, particularly for electric vehicle batteries, renewable energy storage systems, and other clean energy technologies.
The Manono lithium project is considered one of the world’s largest hard-rock lithium deposits, with its development attracting major international interest due to the growing demand for battery metals.
The project is being advanced by Manono Lithium, a joint venture involving China’s Zijin Mining, state-owned mining company Cominière, and the Congolese government.
Production from the project’s processing facilities began in 2026, with the first exports representing the start of a new phase for the DRC’s minerals industry.
The initial lithium concentrate shipments are being transported from the Manono mining area through regional logistics routes before being exported to China for further processing.
For the Manono region, the milestone represents much more than the export of a mineral commodity.
It highlights the economic potential of one of Africa’s most promising lithium districts and demonstrates how investment in exploration, mining infrastructure, and processing capacity can create new opportunities for local development.
The emergence of Manono as a lithium-producing region strengthens the DRC’s position in the global critical minerals market, adding lithium to a resource portfolio already dominated by copper and cobalt.
Kalong Lithium Mine SA welcomed the development as a significant achievement for the Manono region, highlighting the area’s exceptional geological potential and the growing importance of responsible mineral development in supporting the global energy transition.
The company said it remains focused on advancing exploration activities across its licences while promoting responsible resource development, environmental stewardship, local partnerships, and long-term value creation for the Democratic Republic of Congo and its communities.
The growth of the Manono lithium sector also comes amid ongoing challenges, including ownership disputes and regulatory issues involving different stakeholders linked to the broader project area.
However, the start of exports demonstrates the commercial potential of the region and the increasing role of the DRC in meeting rising global demand for battery minerals.
As countries accelerate efforts to secure critical mineral supplies for electrification and renewable energy technologies, Manono has the potential to become one of Africa’s leading lithium hubs.
The first shipments of lithium concentrate mark only the beginning of the DRC’s lithium journey, but they represent a major step toward establishing the country as a strategic player in the future global battery metals industry.
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