Copper sales in Democratic Republic of Congo rose 10% in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period last year, while cobalt sales climbed 15%, the mines ministry said on Tuesday.
Exports and local sales of copper stood at 871 956 tonnes, while sales of cobalt were recorded at 44 654 tonnes, the ministry said in a report.
Congo is Africa's top copper producer and the world's leading miner of cobalt, which is used in batteries for electric cars and electronic products.
The country registered record copper production in 2020 of 1.587-million tonnes, while cobalt output rose to 85 856 tonnes after slumping in 2019 in response to low prices.