CMCLF - DRC Ends Cobalt Export Ban, Moves to Quota System

2025-09-22 16:55:00 ET

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) announced it will lift its eight month cobalt export ban on October 16, replacing it with annual quotas designed to stabilize global supply and prices.

Bloomberg reported that the country's Authority for the Regulation and Control of Strategic Mineral Substances’ Markets (ARECOMS) will allow miners to export 18,125 metric tons of cobalt for the remainder of 2025.

Yearly limits of 96,600 metric tons will be set for both 2026 and 2027, the Sunday (September 21) article states. Quotas will be allocated on a pro-rata basis and according to each company’s historical exports.

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