Following a market consultation carried out at the end of 2025, Gécamines Trading has now exercised its right to purchase 100 000 t of copper directly from copper and cobalt producer Tenke Fungurume Mining’s (TFM’s) 2026 copper production, thereby showing a shift in how the country wants to position itself in the global mining value chain.

Gécamines Trading is a strategic joint venture between the Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC’s) State-owned mining company Gécamines, and Swiss trader Mercuria Energy Trading.

Gécamines Trading will sell directly to international customers, enabling the DRC to benefit more directly from revenues while strengthening transparency and market credibility.

Mercuria will provide financial, logistical and technical support to ensure a quick and credible market entry.

The transaction – the first time Gécamines Trading has directly exercised its right to purchase volumes reserved through one of its mining partnerships –represents 20% of TFM’s expected output and matches Gécamines’ shareholder stake in the operation.

The volume of copper, spread over the 2026 financial year, is intended for the US market, thus meeting certain expectations of the recent agreements made between the DRC and the US.

“This first marketing operation is an extension and development of the competitive offer system established for the products of Gécamines’ partnerships, which has been in place since 2023 and has been successfully executed thus far,” says Gécamines chairperson Guy-Robert Lukama.

“. . . this operation . . . is the result of work carried out for more than a year to strengthen the position of the DRC in the global market for raw materials and to affirm the Congolese State’s desire to regain its sovereignty over its subsoil,” says Gécamines CEO Placide Basadilua.

Aside from minerals sovereignty, Gécamines argues that greater control over mineral sales could bring practical benefits, such as improved promotion of Congolese minerals, a broader tax base for the State and a more diversified group of buyers.

In the long term, Gécamines aims to secure sales rights for up to 500 000 t of copper and 40 000 t of cobalt, positioning itself as a major global player in critical raw materials.

“The creation of Gécamines Trading marks a decisive step for the DRC. It is an instrument of sovereignty, transparency and enhancement of our natural resources for the benefit of the Congolese people,” concludes Lukama.