DRC Cobalt Export Quotas: What Every Mining Professional Needs to Know

On February 24, 2025, the DRC government made a bold move that sent shockwaves through the global battery supply chain: a complete suspension of cobalt exports. Four months later, the ban was lifted — but replaced with something even more significant: a strict annual quota system that will shape the industry for years to come.

The Numbers Behind the Ban

The export suspension was a response to a punishing price collapse. Cobalt had fallen to just US$21,502 per tonne — devastating for a country that produces 60-75% of the world’s supply. The cause? Chronic oversupply, driven in large part by CMOC’s record output of 117,549 tonnes in 2025 from its Tenke Fungurume and Kisanfu operations.

The ban worked. By October 2025, prices had more than doubled to US$48,570/tonne, and by January 2026 they exceeded $56,000/tonne.

How the Quota System Works

When the ban lifted in October 2025, the government introduced annual quotas:

• 2025 (remainder): 18,125 tonnes
• 2026: 96,600 tonnes (capped at 7,250 tonnes/month)
• 2027: 96,600 tonnes

Key compliance requirements for exporters:

1. Pre-pay a 10% mining royalty on allocated quotas within 48 hours
2. Secure a “liberatory receipt” before customs clearance
3. Strict separation of artisanal and industrial cobalt production — mixing unregulated artisanal ore with industrial output is now explicitly banned
4. Monthly EITI-compliant reporting remains mandatory

Winners and Losers

CMOC secured the lion’s share with 31,200 tonnes of the 2026 quota — roughly one-third of the total allocation. The company projects copper output of 760,000-820,000 tonnes for 2026, up 11% from 2025.

Smaller producers face a tighter squeeze. The quota allocation process favors operators with established compliance records and pre-payment capacity, effectively creating a barrier for smaller players.

Impact on Hiring

The quota system is driving demand for several specialist roles:

• Compliance officers who understand the new regulatory framework
• Commodity traders navigating the quota allocation process
• Supply chain managers optimizing production within monthly caps
• Government relations specialists maintaining regulatory relationships

For job seekers with regulatory expertise, this is a moment of opportunity. Companies need professionals who can navigate this new landscape.

What Comes Next

Analysts forecast cobalt prices will average approximately $25/lb (~$55,150/tonne) through 2026. But the real question is whether the DRC will maintain discipline. If quotas hold, the country will have proven it can function as an effective cartel of one — a remarkable shift in commodity market dynamics.

The strategic minerals tax rate remains at 10% (up from 2-3.5% under the 2018 Mining Code revision), and local ownership requirements are tightening. Mining professionals who understand these regulations will be invaluable to operators navigating the new normal.