(Bloomberg) -- China's Zijin Mining Group Co. 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 activity at a site in southeast Congo that's still claimed by AVZ Minerals Ltd.
Will Zijin start producing lithium in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
(Bloomberg) -- China's Zijin Mining Group Co. 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 activity at a site in southeast Congo that's still claimed by AVZ Minerals Ltd.
Will China start producing lithium in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
An earlier version of this story corrected the parties involved in arbitration in second paragraph) ©2025 Bloomberg L.P. China's Zijin Mining Group Co. 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.
Can the Democratic Republic of the Congo produce lithium-ion battery cathode precursor materials?
London and Kinshasa, November 24, 2021 – The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) can leverage its abundant cobalt resources and hydroelectric power to become a low-cost and low-emissions producer of lithium-ion battery cathode precursor materials.
Does Zijin own a copper mine in Congo?
Zijin also has interests in two copper mines in Congo, including a 39.6% stake in the giant Kamoa-Kakula complex, which is a partnership with Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. Congo's mines ministry didn't respond to questions sent by Bloomberg, while Cominiere – which owns 39% of Zijin's Manono project – declined to comment.
“The DRC's cost competitiveness comes from its relatively cheap access to land and low engineering, procurement and construction, or EPC, cost compared to the U.S., Poland and China,” said Kwasi Ampofo, lead author of the report and BNEF's head of metals and mining.