The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the world’s leading cobalt producer, has extended its ban on cobalt exports by an additional three months in a bid to stabilize global prices and address market oversupply. The initial four-month ban, imposed in February 2025 after cobalt prices plunged to a nine-year low of $10 per pound, was set to expire on Sunday.
In a statement released Saturday, the Authority for the Regulation and Control of Strategic Mineral Substances’ Markets (ARECOMS) announced the extension, citing the persistent high levels of stock on the global market. The agency noted that a final decision to modify, extend, or terminate the suspension will be made before the new deadline in September.
Cobalt is a critical component in the production of lithium-ion batteries, widely used in electric vehicles (EVs), smartphones, and other electronics. The DRC supplies over 70% of the world’s cobalt, making its policy decisions on the mineral significant for global supply chains and pricing.
This latest move comes amid ongoing deliberations within Congolese authorities over the introduction of a quota system for cobalt shipments. Such a framework would allocate export allowances to mining companies in an effort to manage output and avoid flooding the market.
Global mining giant Glencore, the second-largest cobalt producer, is reportedly backing the quota proposal. The company views it as a viable way to regulate supply and support price recovery. However, this stance is not shared by China’s CMOC Group, the largest cobalt producer, which has actively lobbied for an end to the export ban, arguing that market restrictions hurt competitiveness and investor confidence.
The differing perspectives between Glencore and CMOC underscore broader tensions in the cobalt market, where price volatility and geopolitical concerns often intersect. With EV demand projected to rise in the coming years, stakeholders are watching closely how Congo navigates its role as a gatekeeper of this strategic resource.
As the global push for clean energy accelerates, the DRC’s decisions will continue to reverberate through the supply chains of major automakers and tech companies alike. Industry observers now await September for clarity on the future of the cobalt trade.
