DRC Copper Production Continues to Grow, Set to Increase by 2025

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) solidified its position as the world’s second-largest copper producer in 2023 and is on track to expand production further. Having reached 3 million tonnes in 2024, the country is projected to increase copper output by at least 8% in 2025, according to a report by CRU Group.

While CRU did not specify expected production volumes, it noted that a 5% increase would translate to an additional 150,000 tonnes of copper. Growth is expected to come from large mining operations such as Tenke Fungurume and Kisanfu, as well as smaller, less-monitored projects.

The DRC’s copper sector has experienced rapid expansion, driven largely by significant Chinese investment. According to Fastmarkets analyst Andy Cole, Chinese-backed projects have enabled quick mine development and fast production ramp-up. One key example is the Kamoa-Kakula complex, which began production in 2021 through a partnership between Canada’s Ivanhoe Mines and China’s Zijin Mining.

Despite the surge in production, the Congolese government has yet to fully benefit from these gains. Issues such as below-market copper prices at Kamoa-Kakula and limited government control over copper trading have hindered revenue generation. State-owned mining company Gécamines is working to strengthen its role in trading by securing copper volumes aligned with its stakes in national mines.