DRC Implements New Cobalt Export Quotas and Royalties, Impacting Global Supply
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has introduced new regulations for cobalt exports, a critical mineral for electric vehicle (EV) batteries. The new rules, effective immediately, require miners to pay a 10% royalty in advance and obtain a compliance certificate. This move follows the lifting of a months-long export ban and the introduction of a quota system aimed at increasing state revenues and enhancing regulatory oversight. The DRC, which supplies over 70% of the world's cobalt, has set export quotas at 18,125 tonnes for the fourth quarter of 2025 and 96,600 tonnes annually from 2026. Major producers like China's CMOC and Glencore have received the largest allocations, while ARECOMS holds a 10% strategic reserve. The government has warned that non-compliance could lead to severe penalties, including license revocation.