This is a best prospect industry sector for this country. Includes a market overview and trade data.
Last Published: 7/20/2017

Overview

The DRC’s mining sector presents a high-return opportunity.  The country has a unique position with substantial untapped gold, cobalt and high-grade copper reserves, but equally significant security risks accentuated by a lack of robust infrastructure.  The DRC is the largest producer of cobalt globally, accounting for 51 percent of global production in 2015 according to the US Geological Survey (USGS) Mineral Commodity Summaries 2016 report.  It was the second largest producer of industrial diamonds in 2015, contributing about 24 percent of global production behind only Russia, which accounted for about 30 percent of global industrial diamond output.

Furthermore, the country boasts some of the highest quality copper reserves globally, with some of the mines estimated to contain grades above 3 percent, significantly higher than the global average of 0.6 - 0.8 percent.  International mining companies attracted by high grade and low cost mines, may be increasingly attracted to the DRC’s copper wealth situated on the copper belt in the southern part of the country.  In 2016, the DRC produced 1,021,634 tons of copper, which exceeded forecasts and was 2.6 percent more than in 2015.  With operating costs that are lower than traditional gold producing countries like South Africa, DRC’s gold mining sector is also witnessing renewed interest from mining companies.


Leading Sub-Sectors

  • Copper ore and nickel ore mining
  • Gold ore mining
  • Cobalt ore mining
  • Mining equipment leasing and financing
  • Power generation & transmission


Opportunities

With a total mineral wealth measured in the tens of trillions of dollars, the DRC offers opportunities for American firms with a high tolerance for risk and familiarity operating in complex or fragile environments.  Despite ongoing low intensity conflict in the east of the country, the potential for political instability, and low commodity prices, mine operators continue to invest in their operations in anticipation of improved market conditions and to maintain operational footholds in this lucrative environment.


Web Resources

DRC Chamber of Commerce
Congo Business
Global Trade Atlas  
National Agency for Investment Promotion (ANAPI)
Regulatory Authority for Public Procurement (ARMP)
Single-Window for Business Creation
USAID
UNDP
KPMG
IMF

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.