DRC cobalt exports reach 41,140 tonnes in first half of 2026
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) exported 41,140 tonnes of cobalt during the first half of 2026, according to statistics from the Technical Unit for Coordination and Mining Planning (CTCPM), a department under the Ministry of Mines.
The first-half exports already amount to approximately 92.8% of the 44,338.47 tonnes of cobalt exported by the DRC during the whole of 2025.
The figures highlight the strong resumption of cobalt shipments in 2026 following the temporary suspension of exports imposed by the Congolese government in February 2025.
According to the CTCPM, cobalt exports were almost negligible during the second half of 2025 following the suspension.
Exports accelerate during the first half
The CTCPM data shows that cobalt exports fluctuated during the first six months of 2026.
Exports declined in February before recording a significant increase in March. Shipments then eased slightly in April before remaining relatively stable in May.
June recorded the highest monthly export volume of the first half, with more than 11,000 tonnes shipped, indicating an acceleration in cobalt exports towards the end of the period, according to the CTCPM.
The first-half performance is particularly significant when compared with the 2025 export pattern.
Although the DRC exported 44,338.47 tonnes for the entire year, exports were heavily affected by the government’s temporary suspension during the second half of that year.
Quota system remains in place
The DRC continues to operate a cobalt export quota system, which was introduced following the lifting of the temporary suspension.
The continuation of the quota regime means export volumes during the second half of 2026 will depend partly on the quantities authorised under the system and the pace at which mining companies ship their production.
The latest figures also underline the DRC’s importance to the global cobalt supply chain.
The country holds a substantial share of the world’s cobalt reserves, while cobalt remains an important raw material for rechargeable batteries and other industrial applications.
The strong export volumes recorded during the first six months of 2026 mark a significant recovery from the disruption experienced in the second half of 2025, when the government’s temporary export suspension sharply curtailed shipments.
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