“China’s Zijin has started exporting lithium concentrate from its Manono project in Democratic Republic of Congo, five sources familiar with the matter have told Reuters.”
“The shipments mark Congo’s first lithium exports, extending China’s dominance of the country’s critical minerals sector, where CMOC and Huayou Cobalt are already major players.”
“The Manono deposit, one of the world’s largest undeveloped hard-rock lithium resources, is at the centre of a dispute after Congo revoked Australian miner AVZ Minerals’ permit and reassigned part of the project to Manono Lithium.”
“The venture is 54.9%-owned by Zijin, with state miner Cominiere holding 35.1% and the Congolese government 10%.”
“Another source who visited the site in June said trucks were hauling concentrate from Manono to the lakeside city of Kalemie for onward shipment to China through Tanzania.”
“The company said in a July 9 notice that Manono’s processing plant had started production in May 2026, a month ahead of schedule, with smelter and other downstream facilities set to come online by December, accelerating the project’s ramp-up.”