In a move aimed at stabilizing global cobalt markets, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the world’s dominant cobalt supplier, has extended its ban on exports of the critical battery metal for an additional three months. The extension comes just as the initial ban, imposed in late February, was set to expire.
The DRC’s Authority for the Regulation and Control of Strategic Mineral Substances’ Markets (ARECOMS) announced the decision via a statement on social media platform X on Saturday.
“The decision has been taken to extend the temporary suspension due to the continued high level of stock on the market,” ARECOMS stated, underscoring the persistent oversupply that has plagued the cobalt sector.
The initial ban was enacted in response to plummeting prices, which hit a nine-year low of approximately $10 per pound (0.45 kg) earlier this year. ARECOMS President Patrick Luabeya explained the rationale, stating, “This measure is intended to regulate supply on the international market, which is faced with a production glut.”
The policy appears to be achieving its primary goal. Since the ban’s implementation on February 22nd, cobalt prices have surged by over 50%, rebounding significantly from the 20-year lows witnessed earlier in 2025. The extension signals the government’s commitment to managing supply until stockpiles decrease to more sustainable levels.
To ensure compliance, ARECOMS issued a stringent decree co-signed by Mines Minister Kizito Pakabomba. The ban applies universally across industrial, semi-industrial, and artisanal mining operations. Crucially, it prohibits the mixing of cobalt from uncertified artisanal sources with industrially produced cobalt, with violations carrying legal penalties under DRC law.
The extension highlights a divergence in strategy among major cobalt producers. While some miners, including Glencore (the world’s second-largest cobalt producer), have expressed support for implementing formal production quotas to manage supply, the largest single producer, China’s CMOC Group, has advocated for lifting the ban. This split reflects differing views on the best long-term solution for the oversupplied market.
The DRC’s action carries immense weight due to its pivotal role in the global cobalt supply chain. According to Statista, the DRC holds an estimated six million metric tons of cobalt reserves as of 2024, representing over half of the world’s total reserves of approximately 11 million metric tons. Cobalt mining is a cornerstone of the DRC’s economy and the metal is a vital component in the lithium-ion batteries powering electric vehicles, smartphones, and countless other electronic devices.
ARECOMS indicated it will reassess the market situation and make a further decision on whether to modify, prolong, or lift the suspension before the new three-month period concludes in September. The global tech and automotive industries will be watching closely, as the DRC’s management of its cobalt resources continues to directly impact the availability and cost of this critical battery material.
