DRC’s Planned Copper, Cobalt Export Ban Causing Little Concern

Metal Bulletin reported that although the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s (DRC) planned ban on the export of copper and cobalt concentrates is scheduled to start on January 1, as yet no one seems to be worried.

As quoted in the market news:

Officially, the DRC plans to implement a ban on exports of copper and cobalt concentrates tomorrow, January 1. The strife-hit African country is the world’s biggest cobalt producer, and the source of huge amounts of feed destined for the world’s biggest consumer, China. The Chinese are already struggling to source feed. But no one’s panicking. Those active in the region point to a lack of activity or “stress” on the ground in the DRC, or at borders. Prices have not rallied dramatically, and consumers have barely commented on the “imminent” supply threat. But so far, there has been no announcement of the ban’s removal or delay.

Click here to read the full Metal Bulletin report.