Key Takeaways:
Zijin Mining Group Co. started exporting lithium concentrate from the Manono project in the Democratic Republic of Congo last month, with all shipments bound for China, according to five people familiar with the matter. The exports mark the DRC's first lithium shipments and extend China's dominance of the country's critical minerals sector.
"The processing plant commenced production in May, one month ahead of schedule," a person with direct knowledge of the operations said. "Initial exports began in June as planned."
The Manono deposit ranks among the world's largest undeveloped hard-rock lithium resources, with an average grade of 1.51% lithium oxide, above the global average of about 1.2%. Zijin plans to process 5 million tonnes of ore annually at the site, targeting about 1 million tonnes of spodumene concentrate per year. The company has set a 2026 production target of 30,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent, with downstream smelter and refinery facilities expected online by December.
The project represents a roughly $1 billion investment and is expected to account for about 5% of global lithium output by 2028, according to industry estimates. That positions Manono as a meaningful new supply source in a market where prices have corrected sharply from 2022 highs. By comparison, Australia's Greenbushes mine, the world's largest hard-rock lithium operation, produced about 1.4 million tonnes of spodumene concentrate in 2025.
The Logistics Corridor
The export route traverses 440 kilometers by road from Manono to the lakeside city of Kalemie, where concentrate is loaded onto four dedicated vessels for the crossing of Lake Tanganyika to Kigoma, Tanzania. From there, cargo moves overland to the Indian Ocean port of Dar es Salaam for ocean freight to Chinese refineries. The transit time means material shipped in June may not arrive at Chinese processing facilities until as late as October, potentially understating near-term import data.
Ownership and Legal Uncertainty
Zijin holds a controlling 54.9% stake in the project, with state miner Cominiere owning 35.1% and the Congolese government holding a direct 10% equity position. The structure reflects the DRC's push for greater state participation in mining ventures. However, the project's path to production has been contested. Australian developer AVZ Minerals had its exploration license revoked by the DRC government, and the dispute remains in international arbitration. US-backed KoBold Metals, which holds the adjacent Manono block, has said it will not advance development until all legal questions across the broader project area are resolved.
Zijin's stock fell 4.15% to HKD29.58 in Hong Kong trading on Friday, extending losses after the export news.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.
