Copper production rises in DRC mines

Glencore, a major mining company, reported a 37 percent increase in copper production from its Kamoto and Mutanda mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the first nine months of the year, reaching 210,600 tonnes. This growth is partly due to the company’s focus on copper, which is not subject to export quotas unlike cobalt.

Kamoto and Mutanda show strong growth

Kamoto mine produced 158,900 tonnes of copper, a 35 percent increase compared to the same period last year, while Mutanda mine saw an even stronger 44 percent rise, producing 51,700 tonnes. The increase is attributed to improved operational performance, including higher extraction rates and better quality of the ore being mined.

Strategic shift boosts copper output

Glencore’s decision to prioritize copper production aligns with its initial forecasts and reflects its response to the quota system on cobalt. The company had announced its focus on copper earlier this year, and this shift has led to a strong increase in copper volumes starting in the first quarter of 2026.

U.S. interest in Glencore's DRC assets

The United States and its partners have shown interest in securing supply of critical minerals, leading to an agreement with Glencore. Orion Critical Minerals (Orion CMC), a fund supported by the U.S., plans to acquire a 40 percent stake in the mines, with the valuation estimated at around 9 billion USD in early 2026.

Deal nears completion, pending production results

Oskar Lewnowski, CEO of Orion CMC’s parent company, said the transaction is in its "final phase." However, the deal’s realization depends on production results from Kamoto and Mutanda, with the fourth quarter's performance being crucial to determining if the growth trend continues for the full year.