Congo copper sales rose by 10%, cobalt up 15%

Copper sales in the Democratic Republic of Congo rose 10% in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period last year, while sales of cobalt rose 15%, the Mines Ministry said Tuesday.

According to the ministry, exports and local sales of copper amounted to 871,956 tons, and sales of cobalt - 44,654 tons.

Congo is the leading producer of copper in Africa and the leading producer of cobalt in the world, which is used in batteries for electric vehicles and electronic goods.

In 2020, the country recorded a record 1.587 million tonnes of copper production, while cobalt production rose to 85,856 tonnes after plummeting in 2019 due to low prices.