The Democratic Republic of Congo has banned the export of copper and cobalt concentrates, a policy shift that immediately tightened supply expectations for key industrial metals.
The decision forces mining operators to process ore domestically before shipment, altering the logistics and cost structure for global buyers reliant on Congolese output.
Copper prices rose in response to the announcement, reflecting market concerns over potential supply disruptions.
The ban targets unprocessed concentrates, aiming to capture more value within the country's borders.
This move aligns with a broader trend among resource-rich nations seeking to develop local refining capacity rather than exporting raw materials.
The policy follows earlier regulatory actions by the Congolese mining regulator, ARECOMS, which withdrew unused cobalt export quotas for the first half of 2026 and reassigned them to a state-controlled strategic pool.