The world’s top producer of the mineral says it will now control global supply through strict annual export quotas, starting October 16th.

Kinshasa

The Democratic Republic of Congo, the world's leading producer of cobalt, is ending its blanket ban on cobalt exports and will implement strict annual export quotas. The new policy, set to begin soon, allows miners to export a limited amount of cobalt for the remainder of the year, with higher quotas planned for the following two years.

This quota system, supported by major industry players, is intended to curb oversupply, stabilize prices, and strengthen market control. The move comes after the previous ban led to force majeure declarations from major producers and as illegal mining continues to contribute to regional conflict. Additionally, a portion of cobalt exports will be reserved for national projects, and the regulator retains the right to purchase excess stockpiles.

DRC set to replace ban on cobalt exports with strict annual quotas

The Democratic Republic of Congo is rolling back on its all-out ban on cobalt exports. The world's top producer of the mineral says it will now control global supply through strict annual export quotas starting October 16th. For the rest of 2025, miners will be allowed to export up to 18,125 tons of cobalt, a key material in electric vehicle batteries. Illegal caps will rise to 96,600 tons for both 2026 and 2027. The ban, in place since February after cobalt prices hit a nine-year low, had triggered force majeure declarations from major producers, including mining giant Glencoe. The quota system, backed by Glencoe, aims to reduce oversupply, support prices and tighten market control, especially in the face of the rising conflict in eastern Congo, where illegal mining is helping fuel violence by N23 rebels. Congo's regulator says 10% of cobalt exports will now be reserved for strategic national projects and that it can buy back any stockpiles that exceed company quotas.

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New York

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