Kinshasa, June 22nd, 2025 (CPA) – The temporary suspension of cobalt exports from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was extended for three months from June 21st by the Board of Directors of the Regulatory and Supervisory Authority for Strategic Mineral Markets (Arescoms), according to a press release from this state body consulted by the CPA on Sunday.
‘Considering the decision of February 22nd, 2025 temporarily suspending the export of cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo, it is brought to the attention of operators in the mining sector that, on June 21st, 2025, ARESCOMS took important regulatory measures (? ) including the extension of the temporary suspension, due to the still large stocks on the market, for a period of three months, from the entry into force of this decision, of all exports of cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo from mining operations, whether industrial, semi-industrial, small-scale or artisanal’, it reads.
The announcement before the end of this suspension period of a new decision modifying, extending or terminating, if necessary, this temporary suspension measure, will be made public, it was emphasized. This measure has been taken to stabilize the cobalt market by temporarily suspending exports in response to the oversupply on the international market. Cobalt is an essential mining product used in the manufacture of electric vehicles and batteries. On February 22nd, 2025, the ARESCOMS Board of Directors temporarily suspended for four months all exports of cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo, whether from industrial, semi-industrial, small-scale or small-scale mining operations.