By Penny Langford
MANONO, Democratic Republic of Congo : The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially joined the ranks of global lithium exporters, with Zijin Mining Group confirming the first shipments of lithium concentrate from its Manono project are currently en route to China.
The milestone marks the first time the central African nation, already a dominant force in copper and cobalt production, has exported lithium. Production at the site commenced in May 2026, with the first trial shipments departing in June. Market analysts expect the initial volumes to reach Chinese refineries by October 2026.
Logistics and Ownership Structure
The Manono project is a joint venture between China’s Zijin Mining Group (54.9%), the state-owned Cominiere (35.1%), and the Congolese government (10%). The site sits atop one of the world’s largest undeveloped hard-rock lithium resources, a critical asset for the global energy transition.
Moving the concentrate from the landlocked Manono site to Asian markets requires a complex multi-modal logistics corridor. The material is first trucked 440 kilometers to the lakeside port of Kalemie. From there, it is transported across Lake Tanganyika via a dedicated fleet of cargo vessels to Kigoma, Tanzania, before moving overland to the port of Dar es Salaam for ocean freight.
Geopolitical Friction and Legal Risk
While Zijin has moved aggressively into production, the broader Manono district remains a flashpoint for legal and geopolitical tension. U.S.-backed KoBold Metals, which holds an adjoining license, has frozen development of its project until unresolved ownership disputes between the DRC government and other international claimants are settled.
"We will not proceed with development until all legal disputes around Manono are resolved," a spokesperson for the KoBold-backed venture stated earlier this year.
The dispute stems from the 2023 revocation of licenses previously held by Australian firm AVZ Minerals. While Zijin has invested approximately $1 billion in infrastructure to bypass these headwinds, Western investors have remained cautious, citing the risk of international arbitration.
2026 Market Outlook
Zijin is targeting a production capacity of 30,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) for 2026. The ramp-up includes the commissioning of a dense media separation (DMS) plant and flotation circuits throughout the third quarter.
The entry of DRC lithium into the global supply chain comes as mine electrification and energy transition initiatives drive demand for spodumene-derived concentrates. However, the long transit times and high logistical costs of the Manono-Tanzania route may impact the project's relative competitiveness compared to Australian or South American producers.
| Project Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Project Owner | Zijin Mining Group (54.9%) |
| First Export Date | June 2026 |
| Expected China Arrival | October 2026 |
| 2026 Production Target | 30,000 tonnes LCE |
| Primary Resource Type | Hard-rock Spodumene |
Social Media Snippet (LinkedIn):
The DRC has officially shipped its first-ever lithium exports. Zijin Mining’s Manono project is now moving concentrate to China via a complex multi-modal corridor through Tanzania. While production ramps up, U.S.-backed KoBold Metals remains on the sidelines due to ongoing legal disputes. Is the DRC set to replicate its cobalt dominance in the lithium market? Read the full analysis at Skillings Mining Intelligence. #MiningNews #Lithium #DRC #EnergyTransition #ZijinMining
