# DRC’s Copper Surge and Cobalt Slump Test Global Battery and EV Supply Chains

*Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 6:19 AM UTC — Hamer Intelligence Services Desk*

**Published**: 2026-09-01T06:19:45.392Z (7h ago)
**Category**: markets | **Region**: Africa
**Importance**: 7/10
**Sources**: OSINT
**Permalink**: https://hamerintel.com/data/articles/16477.md
**Source**: https://hamerintel.com/summaries

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**Deck**: Major miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo report sharply higher copper output but plunging cobalt production in early 2026, reshaping the mix of key battery metals. The shift matters for electric‑vehicle makers, grid projects and buyers trying to secure long‑term supplies from one of the world’s most critical mining regions.

New production figures from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) show a striking divergence between copper and cobalt output, a shift that could ripple through global supply chains for electric vehicles and energy storage.

Glencore, one of the world’s largest commodity producers, reported that it produced 397,000 tonnes of copper in the first half of 2026, a 15% increase year on year. Crucially, 138,400 tonnes of that came from its African assets—primarily in the DRC—marking a 66% jump in regional copper production. Over the same period, the company’s cobalt output dropped 46% to 10,200 tonnes.

The DRC sits at the heart of both markets. Its copper reserves are central to plans for expanding power grids, renewable energy projects and electric‑vehicle manufacturing, while its cobalt deposits feed a significant share of the world’s batteries. A surge in Congolese copper amid a steep cobalt slump therefore reshapes the balance of key metals that automakers and technology firms rely on for their next generation of products.

For Congolese miners and workers, the trend could mean shifting priorities on the ground. Higher copper volumes can support jobs, local procurement and government royalties tied to that metal, while declining cobalt output may affect communities and contractors that depend on cobalt‑focused operations. In regions where both metals are extracted from the same ore bodies, decisions about which projects to expand or mothball can determine whether local economies grow or stagnate.

The global human impact runs through factories and showrooms far from the DRC. Electric‑vehicle manufacturers already juggling volatile lithium and nickel prices must now factor in a relative tightening of cobalt supply from a key source, just as copper becomes more available. Some battery chemistries have moved to reduce or eliminate cobalt, partly in response to ethical and supply risks in the DRC. But high‑performance and long‑range batteries still rely on the metal, and a near‑halving of output from a major producer will feed into long‑term contract negotiations and pricing.

Strategically, the numbers strengthen two parallel trends. More Congolese copper supports the accelerating build‑out of transmission lines, charging networks and renewable power, potentially easing bottlenecks in the energy transition. Less cobalt reinforces the incentive for automakers and cell manufacturers to continue shifting toward lower‑cobalt chemistries, investing in recycling and diversifying supply from other countries.

For China, Europe and the United States—each vying for secure access to critical minerals—the data point is a reminder that supply security is as much about composition as quantity. A producer that increases total tonnage while altering the metal mix can still unsettle carefully balanced industrial plans. Policymakers focused on reducing dependence on single‑country supplies must now consider how a more copper‑heavy, cobalt‑light DRC output profile affects their strategies.

Commodity markets will absorb the change unevenly. Copper, already in strong demand for electrification and infrastructure, may see some price pressure ease if African production continues to grow at current rates, especially if projects elsewhere keep pace. Cobalt prices, by contrast, could face upward pressure if other sources fail to compensate, particularly in higher‑purity segments used for advanced batteries.

One useful way to think about it: the DRC is not just a big mine on the map; it is a lever that can tilt the balance between different metals at the core of the energy transition.

Investors and governments should watch for updated guidance from other major cobalt producers, announcements about new or expanded projects in alternative jurisdictions such as Indonesia and Australia, and any policy moves from Kinshasa affecting mining licenses, royalties or local‑content rules. Automakers’ next rounds of long‑term offtake agreements, along with public disclosures about battery chemistries in upcoming models, will offer further clues about how the industry is adapting to a DRC that is producing more copper, but far less cobalt.