The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has commenced its first-ever exports of lithium concentrate, marking a milestone in the nation’s effort to become a key global supplier of battery minerals. Shipments from the massive Manono lithium project, led by China’s Zijin Mining, began in June and are currently en route to China. While initial volumes are trial-based, production is projected to ramp up significantly, with Zijin targeting an output of 30,000 metric tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent by 2026. The move strengthens China’s dominance in the DRC’s mining sector and underscores the region’s increasing strategic importance in the global electric vehicle supply chain. The project, which is currently subject to ongoing legal disputes involving former concession holders, aims to process five million tonnes of ore annually at full capacity.