**DRC Mining: An Economy in Search of Sustainability and Diversification**
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is often discussed in the context of its valuable mineral resources, including copper and cobalt, which fuel not only the national economy but also the global market for green technologies. With recent forecasts for the week of January 20-25, 2025, predicting stable prices for mining products, it is crucial to reflect on the dynamics behind this trend and the challenges and opportunities that dependency on these minerals presents.
At the heart of the DRC’s economy, copper accounts for over 90% of exports from the extractive sector, making the country the third largest producer in the world behind Chile. Production of 2,359,824 tonnes in 2022, up from 1,802,897 tonnes in 2021, reflects the growing extraction and vital importance of this metal in modern industry, particularly due to its use in electrical technologies.
However, the concentration on a few minerals in the Congolese economy raises questions of sustainability. Large-scale extraction poses significant environmental risks. Deforestation, soil and water pollution, and mining near local communities, generate social tensions. A study by the Center for Sustainable Development Studies highlights that mining operations in the DRC must integrate sustainable practices to mitigate their impact on the ecosystem.
The over-reliance on copper and cobalt also makes the DRC vulnerable to price fluctuations on international markets. While the announced price stability is encouraging, producers must prepare for possible future declines. In this regard, export diversification could prove essential. The DRC has a range of resources, from zinc, tin, to gold and silver, which deserve to be further exploited. In 2025, zinc is quoted at USD 2,862.05 per tonne, while tin reaches USD 29,170 per tonne; these metals could constitute attractive alternatives, if their value addition and extraction are handled with prudence and responsibility.
Economically, the DRC also faces the need to strengthen its local processing capacities. Currently, 99% of copper production is carried out by partner companies of Gécamines, a state-owned company that has often been criticized for its lack of transparency and profitability. By investing in local infrastructure and training for workers, the DRC could improve its value addition on mineral resources, thus creating jobs and reducing capital flight..
Transparency and good governance are two essential pillars for efficient resource exploitation. Mechanisms such as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) could play a key role in ensuring that mineral wealth truly benefits the people of the DRC. By promoting responsible and equitable management, the country could hope to build a more resilient economy that is not dependent on a single sector.
In sum, while the DRC is looking forward to a period of stability for its copper and other mineral exports, it is imperative to adopt a long-term vision to ensure a balance between economic enrichment and the well-being of the population. Diversifying resources, promoting environmental sustainability, and better managing institutions are strategic choices whose benefits could restore hope and prosperity to future generations of Congolese. In a world where environmental and economic issues are increasingly interconnected, the DRC has all the cards in hand to transform its challenges into opportunities and become an exemplary model for Africa.