DAKAR – Democratic Republic of Congo will withdraw unused cobalt export rights under first-half quotas and reassign them to a state-controlled entity, its strategic minerals regulator said, tightening control over shipments from the world's top producer.

In a notice seen by Reuters on Monday, ARECOMS said all export quotas allocated for January to June that remain unused by June 30 will be forfeited and automatically reassigned to its "strategic quota." 

CONGO TIGHTENS GRIP ON COBALT SUPPLY
Congo, which holds more than 70% of the world's cobalt reserves, introduced export quotas and in March extended companies' first-quarter quotas through the end of June alongside second-quarter allocations.

Cobalt prices have surged 160% since February 2025 to $26/lb, or $57 320 a metric ton, as Congo's export curbs squeezed supply.

ARECOMS said the reallocated quota volumes will support projects deemed of “national interest,” including efforts to boost local processing, increase value addition and protect the country’s economic interests.    

The regulator said forfeited quota volumes will be deducted from companies' initial allocations and cannot be carried forward, effectively penalising operators that fail to ship within deadlines. 

Congo's mining chamber did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

China's CMOC and Glencore, the world's largest and second-largest cobalt producers, operate in Congo alongside Eurasian Resources Group and China's Huayou Cobalt, among others.

In a further tightening of logistics rules, only cobalt shipments declared in the customs system by July 5 will qualify for export under first-half quotas. The measures take effect on July 1. 

ARECOMS also warned it could withdraw quotas entirely from companies that fail to export allocated volumes, transfer quotas to third parties, process third-party or artisanal material without authorisation, or breach regulations. 

Congo, like other African countries, has been pushing to tighten control over its vast natural resources to capture more value from rising demand linked to electric vehicle batteries.