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Manono

Manono is a lithium and tin mining project located in the Tanganyika province of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The site hosts one of the world's largest hard-rock lithium deposits, with substantial reserves of spodumene ore that position it as a globally significant source of battery-grade lithium. The project sits within the historic Manono mining district, which was previously exploited for tin during the colonial era and into the late twentieth century. Ownership and development rights to Manono have been the subject of protracted legal and commercial disputes involving multiple parties, including Australian-listed AVZ Minerals and Congolese entity Dathcom Mining. The deposit's scale and grade have attracted considerable international interest as demand for lithium—a critical input for electric vehicle batteries and energy storage systems—has surged. Development of Manono has been delayed by regulatory challenges, ownership disputes and infrastructure constraints in the remote region. The project requires significant capital investment in processing facilities, power supply and transport links to bring the resource to market. If successfully developed, Manono is expected to become a major contributor to global lithium supply and a cornerstone of the Democratic Republic of Congo's ambitions to participate in the electric vehicle value chain.

Manono News


The Manono project area
Zijin starts Congo lithium exports to China, sources say
16th July 2026 By: Reuters

China's Zijin has started exporting lithium concentrate from its Manono project in Democratic Republic of Congo, five sources familiar with the matter have told Reuters. "Exports started in June as... 


Silhouette of an exploration drill rig
US-backed KoBold launches $50m lithium exploration drive in Congo
13th April 2026 By: Reuters

Mineral explorer KoBold Metals, backed by billionaires Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, has launched a lithium exploration campaign in Democratic Republic of Congo, committing more than $50-million by... 


Manono has a complicated history with Australia’s AVZ still claiming the rights to the area Zijin will soon start mining.
Zijin’s Congo lithium mine set to be among world’s biggest
25th March 2026 By: Bloomberg

The lithium mine Zijin Mining Group plans to open this year in the Democratic Republic of Congo is set to be one of the world’s biggest suppliers of the battery metal. The Chinese company – which... 


Laborers dig at the Rubaya coltan mine, in the town of Rubaya, which is controlled by M23 rebels, in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
Congo offers tantalum deposit under M23 control to US in minerals pact, document shows
19th February 2026 By: Reuters

The Democratic Republic of Congo added the rebel-held Rubaya coltan mine, one of the world's richest tantalum deposits, to a shortlist of strategic assets it is offering to the US under a minerals... 


Zijin to launch Congo’s first lithium output in June from disputed Manono deposit
Zijin to launch Congo’s first lithium output in June from disputed Manono deposit
12th February 2026 By: Reuters

China’s Zijin Mining will initiate Congo’s first lithium output in June from the disputed Manono deposit and move immediately to exports, the company and state miner Cominiere said, marking a major... 


Drill core from the Manono project
Manono lithium/tin project, Democratic Republic of Congo – update
14th November 2025 By: Sheila Barradas

Australia's corporate regulator has sued AVZ Minerals and two of its directors, alleging the miner has failed to disclose an escalating legal dispute with the Democratic Republic of Congo over its... 


The site where the Manono project is located
Australia watchdog sues AVZ Minerals over Congo disclosure breaches
11th November 2025 By: Reuters

Australia's corporate regulator said on Tuesday it has sued AVZ Minerals and two of its directors, alleging the miner failed to disclose an escalating legal dispute with the Democratic Republic of... 


Drill cores
KoBold Metals granted seven Congo lithium exploration permits
28th August 2025 By: Reuters

KoBold Metals, the mining company backed by US billionaires Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, has received seven permits to search for lithium and other minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo, it... 


Aerial photo of the Manono deposit
KoBold Metals, backed by Bezos and Gates, secures deal for disputed Congo lithium deposit
21st July 2025 By: Reuters

KoBold Metals, the mining company backed by US billionaires Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates, has signed an agreement with the Democratic Republic of Congo that positions the US firm to acquire the... 


SRK Consulting Congo chairperson Dominique Sambwa.
Positive infrastructure advancement on way in DRC, SRK Consulting Congo reports
18th June 2025 By: Martin Creamer

Positive infrastructure advancement is on the way in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), SRK Consulting Congo chairperson Dominique Sambwa has pointed out. Speaking to Mining Weekly during a... 


An image of the Manono deposit
KoBold Metals to acquire AVZ’s interests in DRC lithium deposit
8th May 2025 By: Tasneem Bulbulia

Bill Gates-backed US company KoBold Metals and Australia-headquartered AVZ Minerals have agreed on a framework for KoBold to buy AVZ’s interests in the Manono lithium deposit, in the Democratic... 


A lithium ore stockpile
Rio Tinto talks with Congo over developing prize lithium deposit
28th March 2025 By: Bloomberg

Rio Tinto Group has held talks with the Democratic Republic of Congo about developing one of the world’s biggest hard rock lithium deposits, in the latest sign of the miner’s enthusiasm for the... 


The Manono project area
Australia's AVZ Minerals scores legal victory against Congo over disputed lithium mine
14th March 2025 By: Reuters

Australia's AVZ Minerals said on Friday it secured a legal victory over the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and China's Zijin Mining over the Manono lithium mine rights, and is in talks with US... 


SIZEABLE INVESTMENT
Katamba Mining has invested more than $80-million into the recommissioning of the dam
Miner recommissions hydropower station
14th February 2025

A joint venture between China’s Zijin Mining Group and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) State-owned mining company Cominiere Katamba Mining has seen the completion of the recommissioning of... 


Zijin plans lithium production in Congo from early 2026
Zijin plans lithium production in Congo from early 2026
7th January 2025 By: Bloomberg

China’s Zijin Mining Group aims to start producing lithium in the Democratic Republic of Congo early next year from one of the world’s largest deposits of the battery metal. Zijin is accelerating... 


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pqt: 0.08s - ct: 0.15s - 236pq - 3rq
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