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Supply Chain Intelligence · 15 Minerals Profiled

Mineral Profiles

Comprehensive intelligence on every mineral flowing through the Lobito Corridor supply chain

The Lobito Corridor connects the mineral heartlands of the DRC and Zambia to the Atlantic port of Lobito, transporting the critical minerals that power the global energy transition. These profiles provide authoritative intelligence on each mineral in the corridor supply chain — from the copper and cobalt that dominate corridor throughput to the rare earths, germanium, and lithium that represent the next frontier of corridor mineral diversification.

All Mineral Profiles

Mineral	Symbol	Corridor Significance	Status
Copper	Cu	DRC 2nd globally (3.3Mt). Zambia 7th. ~$13,000/t record highs.	critical
Cobalt	Co	DRC 72-78% of global supply. 2025 export ban → quota system.	critical
Lithium	Li	Manono deposit: world's largest hard-rock (400Mt). Disputed.	critical
Germanium	Ge	Kipushi mine 90 g/t Ge. China export controls → DRC strategic.	critical
Rare Earth Elements	REE	Longonjo (Angola): $268M funded. 2027 production. China-free pathway.	critical
Tantalum	Ta	DRC major producer. 3TG designation. Electronics capacitors.	strategic
Tin	Sn	DRC producer. 3TG conflict mineral. Manono lithium-tin deposit.	strategic
Tungsten	W	DRC minor producer. 3TG conflict mineral. China dominates.	strategic
Gold	Au	Kibali: Africa's largest gold mine (700,000+ oz). 3TG mineral.	strategic
Diamonds	C	Angola 3rd globally (14M carats). Catoca 4th largest mine.	important
Zinc	Zn	Kipushi: world's highest-grade zinc (203,168t in 2025).	important
Nickel	Ni	Munali (Zambia): only primary nickel mine. Battery metal.	important
Manganese	Mn	Kisenge deposit offered to US investors. Battery potential.	important
Iron Ore	Fe	Cassinga (Angola): historical deposits. Not currently operational.	important
Uranium	U	Shinkolobwe: Hiroshima bomb uranium. Historical significance.	important

Corridor Mineral Hierarchy

Tier 1: Corridor-Defining Minerals

Copper and cobalt are the minerals that justify the corridor's existence. The DRC-Zambia copper belt produces approximately 4.2 million tonnes of copper and over 200,000 tonnes of cobalt annually. These minerals will constitute the vast majority of corridor throughput volume and value for the foreseeable future.

Tier 2: Strategic Growth Minerals

Lithium (via the disputed Manono deposit), rare earth elements (via Pensana's Longonjo project in Angola), and germanium (via Kipushi mine) represent the corridor's diversification frontier. Each addresses critical supply chain gaps for Western nations and could significantly expand corridor strategic importance.

Tier 3: Established Production Minerals

Zinc (Kipushi), gold (Kibali and by-product), diamonds (Catoca), and the 3TG conflict minerals (tin, tungsten, tantalum) are produced in significant quantities but are not primary corridor commodities.

Tier 4: Potential Future Minerals

Manganese (Kisenge), nickel (Munali), iron ore (Cassinga), and uranium (historical) represent potential future additions to corridor mineral flows depending on development decisions and market conditions.

Related Sections

Investment Tracker — Detailed profiles of 30 mines across the corridor

ESG Observatory — Environmental, social, and governance monitoring

DR Congo · Zambia · Angola — Country profiles

Mineral profiles are produced independently by the Lobito Corridor Association. Data reflects publicly available sources as of February 2026.

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minerals

Bauxite

Comprehensive guide to bauxite in the Lobito Corridor: Angola holds estimated 400 million tonnes of reserves. Guinea dominates African production. Bauxite is the primary ore for aluminium, essential for EVs and lightweight manufacturing.

Feb 25, 2026

minerals

Cobalt

Complete guide to cobalt in the Lobito Corridor. DRC supplies 72-78% of global cobalt. 2025 export ban and quota system reshaped markets. Essential for lithium-ion batteries and EVs.

Feb 25, 2026

minerals

Copper

Comprehensive guide to copper in the Lobito Corridor: DRC produced 3.3 million tonnes in 2024, second globally. Copper price near $13,000/tonne. Essential for EVs, renewable energy, and grid infrastructure.

Feb 25, 2026

minerals

Diamonds

Diamonds in the Lobito Corridor: Angola is the world's 3rd largest diamond producer. Catoca mine produces 10M carats annually. Record 14M carats in 2024.

Feb 25, 2026

minerals

Germanium

Germanium in the Lobito Corridor: Kipushi mine in DRC is a major global source. China dominates 60% of production. Critical for semiconductors, fibre optics, and infrared technology.

Feb 25, 2026

minerals

Gold

Gold in the Lobito Corridor region: Kibali in DRC is Africa's largest gold mine. Gold price near record highs above $2,600/oz. DRC is a significant African producer.

Feb 25, 2026

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Graphite

Comprehensive guide to graphite in the Lobito Corridor region: the dominant anode material in lithium-ion batteries, with Africa emerging as a key supply source. China controls over 90% of global graphite processing. Essential for EVs, energy storage, and nuclear applications.

Feb 25, 2026

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Iron Ore

Iron ore in the Lobito Corridor: Angola's historical Cassinga deposits devastated by civil war. Potential for future redevelopment as corridor infrastructure improves.

Feb 25, 2026

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Lithium

Lithium in the Lobito Corridor: DRC's Manono deposit is world's largest hard-rock lithium resource at 400Mt. Multi-party dispute between AVZ, Zijin, and KoBold. Essential for batteries.

Feb 25, 2026

minerals

Manganese

Manganese in the Lobito Corridor: DRC's Kisenge deposit offered to US investors under 2025 Strategic Partnership. Critical for steel and emerging battery applications.

Feb 25, 2026

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Nickel

Nickel in the Lobito Corridor: Zambia's Munali mine is the country's only primary nickel operation. Battery-grade nickel demand growing for EVs.

Feb 25, 2026

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Phosphates

Comprehensive guide to phosphates in the Lobito Corridor region: Angola holds significant deposits at Cacuaco and Cabinda. Phosphate rock is essential for fertilizer production, African food security, and agricultural development.

Feb 25, 2026

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Platinum Group Metals

Comprehensive guide to platinum group metals in the Lobito Corridor region: PGM supply diversification beyond South Africa, Zambia

Feb 25, 2026

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Rare Earth Elements

Rare earth elements in the Lobito Corridor: Pensana's Longonjo project in Angola targets 2027 production. First China-free rare earth supply chain to US via VAC partnership.

Feb 25, 2026

minerals

Tantalum

Tantalum in the Lobito Corridor: DRC is a major global producer. Designated conflict mineral under Dodd-Frank. Essential for electronics capacitors and medical devices.

Feb 25, 2026

minerals

Tin

Tin in the Lobito Corridor region: DRC is a significant producer, primarily from eastern conflict zones. Essential for electronics soldering and tin plate.

Feb 25, 2026

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Tungsten

Tungsten in the Lobito Corridor region: DRC produces tungsten from eastern provinces. Conflict mineral designation. Essential for industrial tools and defence.

Feb 25, 2026

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Uranium

Uranium in the Lobito Corridor region: DRC's Shinkolobwe mine provided uranium for the Hiroshima atomic bomb. A dark historical legacy with contemporary implications.

Feb 25, 2026

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Vanadium

Comprehensive guide to vanadium in the Lobito Corridor: global production ~105,000 tonnes in 2024, critical for VRFB grid storage, steel strengthening, and the energy transition. Angola and Zambia hold untapped deposits.

Feb 25, 2026

minerals

Zinc

Zinc in the Lobito Corridor: Kipushi mine in DRC is the world's highest-grade zinc operation. 203,168 tonnes produced in 2025. Korea Zinc processing pathway to US.

Feb 25, 2026

minerals

Artisanal Cobalt Mining in the DRC — The Human Cost

Examination of the artisanal and small-scale cobalt mining sector in the DRC. Covers the estimated 200,000+ artisanal miners, child labour concerns, health and safety risks, formalization efforts through EGC, Western due diligence requirements, and OECD frameworks for responsible sourcing.

Apr 1, 2025

minerals

Cobalt in the Battery Supply Chain — From DRC Mine to EV

Comprehensive guide to cobalt's role in the battery supply chain. Traces the full value chain from DRC mines through refining, precursor production, cathode manufacturing, cell assembly, and EV battery pack integration. Covers China's processing dominance, Western reshoring, and IRA implications.

Apr 1, 2025

minerals

Cobalt Price Outlook — Volatility, Oversupply, and the Battery Boom

Analysis of the cobalt price outlook covering the price collapse from $80K to $25K per tonne, Indonesian nickel-cobalt competition, DRC oversupply dynamics, EV demand growth, long-term supply-demand balance, and the thrifting risk from LFP battery chemistry.

Apr 1, 2025

minerals

Cobalt Refining — China's Stranglehold on Processing

Analysis of the global cobalt refining landscape and China's 80%+ dominance of cobalt chemical processing. Covers key Chinese refiners including Huayou and Jinchuan, the DRC's in-country refining ambitions, Western alternatives in Finland, Canada, and Australia, and implications for corridor strategy.

Apr 1, 2025

minerals

Conflict Minerals in the DRC — Compliance Guide for Investors

Comprehensive guide to conflict minerals regulation and compliance in the DRC. Covers 3TG minerals (tin, tantalum, tungsten, gold), Dodd-Frank Section 1502, EU Conflict Minerals Regulation, OECD Due Diligence Guidance, DRC conflict dynamics, responsible sourcing programs, and ITSCI traceability.

Apr 1, 2025

minerals

Copper Demand from EVs — The Metal That Makes Electrification Possible

Analysis of surging copper demand driven by electric vehicles, covering per-vehicle copper intensity, wiring harnesses, motors, charging infrastructure, grid upgrades, IEA projections, and implications for the Copperbelt and Lobito Corridor.

Apr 1, 2025

minerals

Copper Price Outlook 2025-2030 — The Energy Transition Premium

In-depth analysis of copper price forecasts through 2030. Covers supply-demand fundamentals, the energy transition demand driver from EVs, renewables, and grid expansion, projected structural deficits, and implications for Copperbelt miners and corridor economics.

Apr 1, 2025

minerals

Copper Reserves & Resources — Africa's Untapped Geological Wealth

Analysis of global copper reserves with focus on Africa's share, covering DRC and Zambia's combined endowment, major undeveloped deposits like Kamoa and Mingomba, exploration spending trends, and resource nationalism risk.

Apr 1, 2025

minerals

Critical Mineral Value Chain — From African Mines to Global Products

Comprehensive analysis of the critical mineral value chain from exploration through mining, processing, refining, component manufacturing, and end products. Examines where value is captured, Africa's position at the bottom of the chain, and the Lobito Corridor's potential to shift value capture upstream.

Apr 1, 2025

minerals

Diamond Production in Angola — Catoca, Lulo, and Beyond

Comprehensive analysis of Angola's diamond industry covering Catoca mine, Lulo alluvial operation, Endiama's state role, production volumes, the value chain, kimberlite exploration, and the Lobito Corridor connection via the Luacano-Jimbe branch.

Apr 1, 2025

minerals

DRC Cobalt Export Policy — Bans, Taxes, and State Control

Comprehensive analysis of the DRC's cobalt export policies including the 2018 Mining Code, strategic mineral classification, export bans and quotas, Gécamines' role, the EGC artisanal monopoly, royalty increases, and the super-profits tax.

Apr 1, 2025

minerals

DRC Cobalt Production — 70% of Global Supply

In-depth analysis of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's dominance of global cobalt supply. Covers the DRC's 70%+ market share, major industrial producers including CMOC and Glencore, artisanal mining, production trends, export routes, and refining destinations.

Apr 1, 2025

minerals

DRC Copper Production — Africa's Fastest-Growing Mining Sector

Comprehensive analysis of the Democratic Republic of the Congo's copper production sector. Covers output trajectory toward 3M+ tonnes, major producers including Kamoa-Kakula and Tenke-Fungurume, export routes, and the DRC's role in global copper supply.

Apr 1, 2025

minerals

DRC Lithium — Manono and the Hard-Rock Lithium Frontier

In-depth analysis of the DRC's lithium potential centred on the Manono deposit, one of the world's largest hard-rock lithium pegmatites. Covers AVZ Minerals, CITIC Metal involvement, development challenges, corridor connection, and comparison with Australian and Chilean lithium.

Apr 1, 2025

minerals

Global Copper Supply Chain — From Mine to Market

Comprehensive guide to the global copper supply chain: mining, concentration, smelting, refining, fabrication, and end-use. Covers geographic concentration, China's smelting dominance, Western diversification efforts, and the Lobito Corridor's role in supply chain restructuring.

Apr 1, 2025

minerals

Longonjo Rare Earth Project — Angola's Strategic Mineral Asset

In-depth analysis of Pensana's Longonjo rare earth deposit in Angola, covering NdPr reserves for EV motors and wind turbines, development status, Chinese processing dependence, Western supply diversification strategy, and Longonjo's location on the Benguela Railway.

Apr 1, 2025

minerals

Mineral Processing in Africa — The Value Addition Gap

Analysis of Africa's mineral processing deficit: the continent exports raw materials and processes little domestically. Covers smelting and refining capacity by country, Chinese processing dominance, African value addition ambitions including the DRC export ban and Zambia's copper refining push, and Lobito Corridor SEZ processing plans.

Apr 1, 2025

minerals

Tantalum in the DRC — The Capacitor Mineral

In-depth analysis of the DRC's position as the world's leading tantalum producer, covering coltan mining, conflict mineral designation, artisanal mining, electronics demand for capacitors, supply chain compliance, and the OECD due diligence framework.

Apr 1, 2025

minerals

Tin Production in the DRC — From Conflict Mineral to Critical Resource

Analysis of DRC tin production covering Alphamin's Bisie mine, eastern DRC conflict dynamics, 3T minerals classification, ITSCI traceability, tin's role in electronics solder, and supply chain compliance challenges.

Apr 1, 2025

minerals

Zambia Copper Production — The 3-Million-Tonne Target

Analysis of Zambia's copper mining sector, its historic Copperbelt heritage, current output of approximately 870,000 tonnes, President Hichilema's ambitious 3-million-tonne production target, major mines, and the investment and infrastructure needed to achieve transformative growth.

Apr 1, 2025

minerals

China's Control of the Global Cobalt Supply Chain — How Beijing Dominates the Battery Metal

In-depth analysis of China's dominance over the global cobalt supply chain, from DRC mines to Chinese refineries. Covers ownership stakes, refining capacity, strategic implications, and Western efforts to diversify.

Jan 20, 2025

minerals

Critical Minerals List 2025 — The Complete Guide to Strategic Minerals Driving the Energy Transition

Definitive list and analysis of critical minerals essential for EV batteries, renewable energy, defense, and high-tech manufacturing. Covers supply risks, producing countries, demand projections, and the Lobito Corridor's role in critical mineral supply.

Jan 1, 2025

Mineral Profiles

Mineral Profiles

All Mineral Profiles

Corridor Mineral Hierarchy

Tier 1: Corridor-Defining Minerals

Tier 2: Strategic Growth Minerals

Tier 3: Established Production Minerals

Tier 4: Potential Future Minerals

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