Reference · Glossary
Glossary of Key Terms
27 essential terms for understanding the Lobito Corridor — from artisanal mining to value addition.
A
B
C
- Community Benefit AgreementCBALegally binding contract between a company and affected community specifying benefits and protections.
- CopperbeltThe geological region spanning southeastern DRC and northern Zambia with massive copper-cobalt deposits.
- Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence DirectiveCSDDDEU directive requiring mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence across value chains.
- Critical MineralsMinerals essential for economic and national security, particularly for clean energy technologies.
D
- Development Finance CorporationDFCAmerica's development bank and lead Western corridor investor with $1.6B+ committed.
- Development Finance InstitutionDFIGovernment-backed financial institution providing financing for development projects.
E
- Entreprise Générale du CobaltEGCDRC state enterprise holding the monopoly on purchasing artisanal cobalt.
- Environmental and Social Impact AssessmentESIASystematic evaluation of a project's potential environmental and social effects.
- Equator PrinciplesEPFinancial industry benchmark for environmental and social risk in project finance.
- ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance)Framework for evaluating corporate behaviour across environmental, social, and governance dimensions.
F
G
- GécaminesThe DRC state mining company holding JV partnerships with most major DRC copper-cobalt operators.
- Global GatewayThe EU's €300 billion infrastructure initiative — the corridor's second-largest Western funding source.
- Greenfield DevelopmentConstruction of entirely new infrastructure on previously undeveloped land.
I
L
- Lobito Atlantic RailwayLARThe Trafigura/Mota-Engil/Vecturis consortium operating the Benguela Railway.
- LCTTFALCTTFATrilateral agency managing cross-border trade facilitation across Angola, DRC, and Zambia.