Congo’s Copper Output Jumps as Cobalt Production Plunges, Reshaping Battery‑Metal Flows
Major producers in the Democratic Republic of Congo increased copper output while cobalt production fell sharply in the first half of 2026, with Glencore reporting higher copper volumes and a 46% drop in cobalt.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is sending contrasting signals to global metal markets, with copper production climbing while cobalt output falls sharply at one of the country’s biggest operators.
In the first half of 2026, commodity group Glencore reported producing 397,000 tonnes of copper, a 15% year‑on‑year increase. Of that total, 138,400 tonnes came from its African assets, up 66% compared with the same period a year earlier. Over the same six months, Glencore’s cobalt production dropped 46% to 10,200 tonnes.
The figures underline how central Congolese mines have become to copper supply while highlighting new strain in cobalt availability from the same region. Copper and cobalt are often extracted from the same deposits in Congo’s mineral‑rich areas, so changes in mine plans and processing can significantly alter the global balance between the two metals.
For companies and governments that track metals used in batteries and electrical systems, these shifts complicate planning. Rising copper output from Congo supports expansion of power networks and electric equipment, but a steep fall in cobalt volumes from a major producer introduces uncertainty for markets that still rely on that metal.
Within Congo, the move towards higher copper and lower cobalt output at a key operator also affects expectations about export earnings and investment. Stronger copper production can boost revenues and reinforce the country’s role in that market, while weaker cobalt supply raises questions about how other producers in the country will respond.
Internationally, the numbers are a reminder that supply of so‑called critical minerals does not move in lockstep. Even when total mining activity in a country increases, production of individual metals can diverge sharply, depending on corporate strategy, ore grades and processing choices.
Analysts and policymakers will now focus on whether Congo’s cobalt slump persists into the second half of the year, how other miners in the country report their own output, and whether changes in production outside Africa offset Glencore’s cutback. Copper output and price developments will be watched in parallel to see how far rising African volumes influence global market conditions.
Sources
- OSINT