Take a moment and look around you. The phone in your hand, the wires running through your home, and electric cars shaping the future, each of those items relies on copper. And a big part of that copper? It is from deep within the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The DRC is a hidden treasure chest of minerals. Copper is one of the world’s richest sources and it lies beneath its forests and hills. Being valuable, this metal is essential. It is without it we would not have electricity, technology, or renewable energy. The phrase batteries and countless everyday things also fit that description because it’s in power lines.

For years, eyes have been turned towards Congo’s land from around the world. Miners, investors and big companies have rushed in hoping to get some of its resources. In fact, the country’s Katanga region is a major player in the global copper market due to an incredibly rich copper belt.

Mining the DRC is no simply matter of digging up minerals and selling them. This is a bigger story, one of opportunity and struggle. Yet on the other, copper mining has contributed to the country’s economy, generated jobs and attracted foreign investment. On the other hand, it has erected major ethical, fairness, and sustainability questions.

So, what’s the real picture? How does copper shape the DRC and the world? And most importantly, what does the future hold for this metal and the people who mine it? Let’s dive in and find out.

Global Copper Leader: The DRC produced 2.2 million metric tons of copper in 2022, supplying 10% of the world’s copper demand, with demand rising due to EVs and renewable energy.

Foreign Investment Boost: China and Western nations are investing heavily, with copper exports to China increasing by 71% in 2024, strengthening the DRC’s economy.

Sustainable Mining Shift: Ethical and eco-friendly mining practices are improving, with government reforms ensuring transparency and fairer revenue distribution.

Infrastructure Expansion: The Lobito Corridor Railway, backed by the EU and U.S., will speed up copper exports, creating new trade and investment opportunities.

Bright Future Ahead: With growing demand, responsible mining, and strong international partnerships, the DRC is set to become a global copper powerhouse, driving economic growth and job creation.

A long time ago, before big machines and foreign companies arrived, the people of Congo already knew about the copper beneath their feet. They didn’t need massive equipment. With simple tools, they mined copper, using it for jewelry, tools, and trade. Copper wasn’t just metal—it was part of everyday life.

Then everything changed. In the late 1800s, Belgium took control of the land. Suddenly, copper was no longer just for local communities—it became a goldmine for European industries. By the early 1900s, the Union Minière du Haut-Katanga (UMHK) was formed. Congolese people didn’t own it. It was Belgian, and it controlled almost all of Congo’s copper mining. While Belgium’s industries flourished, local communities saw little benefit from the wealth taken from their own land.

Then came independence in 1960. There was hope that things would finally change, that the country’s own people would benefit from its rich resources. The government took over the mines and formed Gécamines, a state-owned company. At first, it looked like a fresh start. But over time, corruption, mismanagement, and political troubles led to a major decline.

By the late 1990s and early 2000s, Congo was at a crossroads—save its mining industry or let it collapse. The government decided to welcome back foreign investors, leading to today’s mining boom. But was this really a victory for the people? That’s the real question.

Picture yourself in Katanga, DRC, standing on land that holds something truly incredible—one of the richest copper and cobalt deposits in the world. Beneath the surface, stretching over 250 kilometers, lies the Katanga Copperbelt, a region that has made Congo a powerhouse in the global mining industry.

This isn’t just any copper reserve. The Central African Copperbelt, where Katanga is located, is the largest and highest-grade copper deposit on Earth. Most mines around the world extract copper from ores with just 0.5% to 1% copper content, but in Katanga, the ores often exceed 5%—five to ten times richer. That’s why the world keeps coming back to the DRC. 

Here are some of the biggest mines shaping the future of copper and cobalt:

Kamoa-Kakula Mine: Discovered by Ivanhoe Mines, this is one of the largest and purest copper finds in history. Production started in 2021, and by 2024, the mine produced a record-breaking 437,061 tonnes of copper, a 12% increase from 2023. In 2025, it aims to produce between 520,000 and 580,000 tons, making it a key player in global copper supply. 

Tenke Fungurume Mine: Run by China Molybdenum Co. (CMOC), this mine is one of the largest producers of both copper and cobalt. In 2019, it produced 117,956 tonnes of copper and 16,098 tonnes of cobalt. CMOC is now expanding its operations, targeting 600,000 tons of copper production in 2024—double what it produced in 2022. 

Mutanda Mine: Owned by Glencore, this was once the largest cobalt mine in the world. Operations paused in 2019, but with growing global demand, plans are in motion to restart production soon. 

The Katanga Copperbelt isn’t just about mining—it’s shaping the future of technology and renewable energy. Copper is in power grids, electric vehicles, and nearly all modern electronics, while cobalt powers batteries for EVs and smartphones. The world’s demand for these metals is rising fast, and Congo holds the key to meeting it.

Copper mining is not only digging metal from the ground; it is one of the biggest drivers of the DRC’s economy. It creates jobs, shapes the infrastructure of the country, and it is crucial in the country’s development.

Contribution to GDP

Copper is the backbone of the DRC’s economy, and is the leading sector of the country’s mining industry. The country is responsible for almost 10 percent of the world’s total copper production, producing 2.2 million metric tons of copper in 2022. That meant the DRC was the fourth largest copper producer globally, and it revealed the extent to which its mining sector has grown. 

Jobs and Infrastructure Growth

Thousands of jobs are provided by mining and help to build roads, railways and power stations to supply the industry and the local community. Sicomines is a great example of a major copper and cobalt mining project in Kolwezi. The DRC is part of a deal for resources for infrastructure in which it trades away mining rights in return for funding to build roads and other key projects. 

Foreign Investment Boom

Foreign investment has been massive and mainly Chinese in the DRC due to its rich copper reserves. Currently, Chinese companies are responsible for 80 percent of the DRC’s cobalt production, with nine of the ten largest cobalt mines in the country owned by Chinese firms. This investment has increased production and contributed to revenue, but fear of economic dependence and share of fair profits is also on the rise.

Copper mining is a key pillar of the DRC’s economy, bringing wealth, jobs, and infrastructure. But the challenge remains—how can the country ensure that these benefits are shared fairly and sustainably? That’s the question that still needs an answer.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is one of the richest mineral countries in the world, yet much of its copper wealth remains untapped. For investors, this means huge opportunities in mining, infrastructure, and technology.

1. Unexplored Copper Reserves

Picture yourself standing on land that holds some of the world’s largest copper deposits, many of which haven’t even been explored yet. With the world’s increasing demand for electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy, and technology, copper is becoming more valuable than ever. The DRC is sitting on a goldmine—except it’s copper. Investing in new exploration and mining projects now could bring huge returns in the future.

2. Stronger Global Partnerships

The DRC wants to diversify its partnerships instead of relying on just one or two big countries for investment. It provides a chance for new investors to enter the market and make fair, long term deals. With the help of Western and Middle Eastern investors, the government is actively seeking to balance existing influences in the mining sector.

3. Infrastructure Expansion

Transportation and energy infrastructure are also necessary for an industry to be efficient, and mining alone is not enough. Currently, projects such as the Lobito Corridor railway are looking to connect the DRC’s copper mines to Angola’s coast, thus speeding up and reducing the cost of exports. Here, investors in rail, roads and energy will see big opportunities.

4. Diversifying Beyond Mining

Mining doesn’t exist in isolation. Supporting industries such as equipment leasing, power generation and logistics are open to investors. Mining is being supported by these sectors growing as well, adding much more stability and long-term profit.

5. Sustainable and Tech-Driven Mining

The future of mining is technology and sustainability. To increase production and reduce environmental damage, modern, efficient, and eco-friendly mining technologies are needed for the DRC. Those investors who bring better extraction processes, automation and clean energy solutions will be in high demand.

Copper industry in the DRC is booming, but it has huge room to grow. New mines, infrastructure or sustainable technology, smart investors have a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of Africa’s next big mining success story.

In the heart of Africa, where one of the world’s most successful copper mines is rewiring the future of mining. Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex is no ordinary project, it’s a game changer. This is a joint venture of Ivanhoe Mines, Zijin Mining, and the DRC government, and a mine that has gone from riches to riches to riches in a few years.

Rapid Growth and Expansion

Since starting operations in May 2021, Kamoa-Kakula has been establishing new records. It has produced 437,061 tonnes of copper in concentrate in 2024, 12 percent more than the previous year. This mine isn’t slowing down, it’s growing faster than most copper producers in the world.

Phase 3 Expansion: In August 2024, the mine’s Phase 3 expansion started and the mine’s annual production capacity expanded to more than 600,000 tonnes. As a result, Kamoa-Kakula will continue to have an even greater role to play in the global copper supply to meet the rising demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy.

Transforming Lives and the Economy

While the focus for Kamoa-Kakula is Cu, it is about people — 91 percent of Kamoa-Kakula’s employees are Congolese, and have brought thousands of locals stable, well remunerated jobs. By making this so, the communities are lifted and employment becomes steady.

In 2023, Kamoa-Kakula added 4% of the DRC’s total GDP. That’s a huge impact from one mining project, and it proves how important copper is to the country’s economy.

Kamoa-Kakula isn’t just digging for copper but it’s investing in Sustainability and Infrastructure. The project has helped to improve roads, power plants and local facilities. In addition, it’s one of the lowest greenhouse gas emitting copper mines in the world showing that mining can be done sustainably.

It is a turning point for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The DRC has one of the world’s largest supplies of copper and the world is becoming ever more reliant on clean energy and advanced technology—so copper has never been more important. What then is the future of copper mining in the country? Let’s take a look.

1. Driving the Green Energy Revolution

From the world’s transition to sustainability copper is Key to Clean Energy — electric vehicles (EVs), renewable energy grids, the electrical system both within and across public grid lines. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), by 2040 much of the world’s copper demand could increase by 50 percent in response to the clean energy shift. (IEA)

Vast copper reserves make DRC a key player in the world market for EVs, wind turbines, and solar panels. This could be managed well and fuel long term economic growth.

2. Investing in Sustainable Mining

Eco Friendly and Ethical Mining: Mining companies in the DRC are adopting eco friendly and ethical ways of mining to meet the global standards. DRC’s copper is therefore more attractive to international buyers. 

DRC Government Efforts: The DRC government is going to increase transparency in the mining sector to allow more responsible investors to come in. 

3. Building Better Infrastructure for Exports

A new railway project will link portions of the mineral rich DRC and Zambia to the Angolan port of Lobito. It will speed up, reduce the cost, and make copper exports better and more efficient. 

Support: The United States and the European Union are supporting this project because it gives an alternative to China-controlled export routes. It could also open up investment and trade opportunities for the DRC.

The future of copper mining in the DRC looks promising. With rising global demand, improved mining practices, and better infrastructure, the country has a unique opportunity to secure long-term economic growth.

Copper mining in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the centre of a bright and promising future. The country has vast mineral wealth and is well placed to become one of the world’s top copper suppliers, a metal crucial for electric vehicles, renewable energy, and modern technology. The DRC produced 2.2 million metric tons of copper in 2022, which is around 10 percent of the world’s supply and is anticipated to grow as demand rises around the world.

Foreign investments brought rapid growth, and expansion was fueled by international partnerships. Copper Sent to China rose by 71% in 2024 to 1.48 million tonnes. This surge of exports has helped the DRC’s economy, trade partnerships, and industrial capacity become more stable and prosperous in the future.

The industry, too, is moving towards a more sustainable and ethical direction. The DRC government is also aligning more responsible mining with greater transparency and fairer investments. Infrastructure improvements like the Lobito Corridor Railway, which will increase export efficiencies, will bring mining benefits to more people.

The future of copper mining in the DRC offers opportunities. If the industry continues to grow sustainably, make responsible investments, and the government reforms, it will grow, create jobs, and lift local communities. If well managed, copper mining can become a force of national development, helping the DRC realize its full potential and compete on the world stage.