DRC: Conditions for obtaining and implementing cobalt export quotas set

Kinshasa, October 12^th, 2025 (CPA) – Important regulatory measures aimed at setting the conditions for obtaining, allocating and implementing cobalt export quotas have been taken by the board of directors of the Regulatory and Control Authority for Strategic Mineral Markets (Arecoms) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), according to a statement consulted by the CPA on Sunday. « Operators in the mining sector are hereby informed that, by its decision No. 005/ARECOMS/2025 of October 10^th, 2025, the board of directors of the Regulatory and Control Authority for Strategic Mineral Markets, Arecoms for short, has taken important regulatory measures to set the conditions for obtaining and repairing cobalt export quotas, » the statement read. According to the press release, the measures set the conditions for obtaining and allocating cobalt export quotas, as well as the practical arrangements for implementing the quota policy provided for in Decision No. 004/ARECOMS/2025 of September 20^th, 2025. This also concerns the allocation of the basic quota. To this end, Arecoms is organizing, in accordance with the laws and regulations in force, the allocation of cobalt export quotas in accordance with the principles laid down, which relate to the regulation and control of the markets for strategic mineral substances, the source reported. However, the basic quota, calculated in terms of equivalent cobalt metal content, will be 3,625 tons in October 2025, 7,250 tons in November 2025 and 7,250 tons in December 2025. Any company that exported less than 100 tons of cobalt in 2024 is excluded from the base quota, with the exception of the general cobalt company, any company that owns a cobalt refinery but has not operated its own cobalt mine in the last five years, and any company whose cobalt mineral reserves are depleted. The communiqué also notes that, in accordance with Article 6 of Decision No. 004/ARECOMS/2025 of September 20^th, 2025, the basic quota is distributed in proportion to the historical quantities exported between January 1^st, 2022 and December 31^st, 2024. ACP/