Approximately 100 tons of copper goods departed for Hong Kong on Saturday, April 25, 2026, marking a significant advancement in the diversification of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's mining export channels.

The first time in Manemama Province

The Manemba Province, located in the central-eastern part of the country, has taken an important step by exporting nearly 100 tons of copper through the port of Kisangani, the capital of the Kibo Province.

This operation was completed after obtaining the certificate issued by the Valuable and Semi-Valuable Minerals Materials Identification, Evaluation and Certification Center (CEEC).

Goods from Lubuto

According to the mining authorities, this batch of goods, valued at 99 tons, originated from the Lubtou area. Specifically, it was from the Okarenge mining area of the Komako cooperative.

The person in charge stated that this batch of goods was originally part of a 100-ton consignment of compliant goods, and these goods followed the regulatory procedures until they were finally certified.

Why go through Kisangani?

The choice of Kisangani as a transit point is due to the structural problems in Maniema Province: inadequate road infrastructure; weak energy capacity; logistical constraints in mineral transportation; and the lack of an appropriate processing chain.

These restrictions led the authorities to approve the transfer of the goods to the Tshopo Province (should it be Tshwete Province instead? The original text is Tshopo, and based on the context, it refers to Tshopo Province, not Tshwete Province).

The diversification of the mining corridor

For experts, this operation represents an innovation in the Congo's export chain. Historically, this sector has been dominated by the Haut Katanga Province.

This indicates that, despite the challenges remaining, it is possible to open alternative routes for inland provinces.

National economic challenges

This initial export may open up new prospects: developing the mining potential of Manemah Province; achieving economic integration in inland provinces; reducing reliance on traditional corridors; improving the traceability of mineral products; and expanding public fiscal revenue.

In this country where mining remains the main economic driver, this measure reflects the authorities' intention to better regulate the extraction and sale of resources across the nation.

—Extracted from the WeChat official account "News from Congo"