Date: July 6, 2026 l By Kimberly White
The Democratic Republic of Congo does not expect the ongoing crisis in the Middle East to significantly disrupt its copper and cobalt production this year, despite earlier concerns that supply chain shocks linked to the conflict could affect the mining sector, a senior government official has said.
Grace Mabaya, a senior official at Congo’s Ministry of Mines, said the country does not currently see a major threat to 2026 output of the two key minerals, even though the conflict has complicated the supply of sulfuric acid and other chemicals used in copper and cobalt processing.
Her comments suggest a more optimistic outlook than earlier fears within the mining sector that disruptions tied to the U.S.-Iran crisis and wider Middle East instability could slow operations in one of the world’s most strategically important mineral-producing countries.
Congo is the world’s largest producer of cobalt and Africa’s biggest copper supplier, making its mining industry central to global supply chains for electric vehicles, batteries and the broader clean energy transition. Any sustained disruption to Congolese output would have implications far beyond the country’s borders, especially at a time of strong global demand for battery metals.
Reuters reported that the Middle East crisis had affected the supply of sulfuric acid, a critical input for copper and cobalt extraction. Zambia, one of the region’s major acid suppliers, has also restricted exports in order to prioritise its domestic needs, increasing concerns among mining operators in Congo who rely heavily on cross-border chemical shipments to sustain output.
Despite those pressures, Mabaya said the impact on operations had so far remained limited. She said long-term contracts, strategic inventories and efforts to source materials from regional suppliers had helped mining companies absorb the shock and avoid serious production setbacks.
The government’s assessment comes after earlier reports in April that some leading copper and cobalt producers in Congo had been forced to cut chemical usage and tighten supply controls as disruptions in the Middle East affected shipments of sulfuric acid and sulfur-based products. At the time, miners and supply chain sources warned that prolonged shortages could eventually lead to output reductions if replacement supplies were not secured.
For now, however, Congolese authorities appear confident that production can continue without major interruption. Mabaya acknowledged that if disruptions persist over a longer period, companies may face higher operating costs and longer delivery times for essential inputs, but she indicated that the current situation remains manageable.
The latest official data also points to continued strength in Congo’s mining exports. Reuters reported that in the first quarter of 2026, Congo exported 823,887 metric tons of copper, up 4.8% from the same period a year earlier. The country also shipped 51,940 tons of cobalt hydroxide, equivalent to 17,054 tons of cobalt metal, alongside $732 million worth of gold exports.
The resilience of output is particularly important for Congo as it simultaneously pushes ahead with reforms aimed at tightening control over its cobalt sector. The government has introduced quotas and other measures designed to regulate exports more closely and stabilise the market, part of a broader strategy to exert greater influence over a mineral that is critical to the global battery industry.
Major producers operating in Congo include China’s CMOC Group, Swiss commodity giant Glencore, and other multinational miners with deep investments in the country’s copperbelt. Their ability to maintain operations despite geopolitical supply disruptions is likely to be closely watched by investors and manufacturers dependent on Congolese supply.
While the Middle East crisis continues to cast uncertainty over global trade routes and industrial inputs, Congo’s mining authorities say the country’s 2026 production outlook for copper and cobalt remains broadly positive, supported by existing supply arrangements, strong demand and the operational resilience of major producers.