China Tightens Grip on Congo's Minerals: 49 Projects in Three Years

Chinese presence in the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s critical minerals sector is growing, with Chinese entities currently holding minority or majority stakes in 49 mining projects—representing 54% of the country’s critical projects—according to the latest update of the Africa Business+ critical minerals database, developed in partnership with EY, as reported by Jeune Afrique.

According to the report, Chinese involvement in projects stood at only 22 projects three years ago.

The 49 projects are spread across 26 mines, and the number of Chinese companies investing in critical mining projects in the DRC has risen to 18. JCHX Mining launched production at the western section of the Lonshi mine in Q4 2023 with an annual capacity of 40,000 tons, before approving a $751 million investment on January 19, 2025, in the eastern area managed by its wholly owned subsidiary, Swabe.

Zijin Mining, active for years at the Kamoa-Kakola copper mine, has expanded into lithium and began producing at the Manono mine in mid-2026. Meanwhile, Jinchuan invested in a third copper-cobalt mine, Musonoi, which commenced operations at the start of 2026.

Chinese companies continue expanding their investments; CMOC announced an investment exceeding one billion dollars in Phase Two of the KFM (Kisanfo) project, with expected output reaching 100,000 tons of copper next year.

China’s footprint in Congolese mining dates back well before the past three years, part of a continuous policy since the early 2000s when Beijing funded infrastructure projects in the DRC—including roads, dams, and railways—in exchange for preferential access to certain mineral resources, particularly through the Sicomines project.

According to a Congolese mining industry expert, China has become the natural destination for raw minerals, serving as the world’s factory, including mineral processing, while the decline in Western capital in mining over the past 15 years, coupled with compliance concerns and criticism directed at Joseph Kabila, pushed the Congolese state to seek alternatives.

The United States seeks to limit China’s rising influence and maintain its own access to Congolese resources, especially via the Luapula Corridor project. However, China does not limit itself to mine investments—it pursues an integrated strategy stretching from mine to port to refining, supporting African countries in processing minerals locally.

As the world’s largest producer of batteries, electric vehicles, solar panels, and numerous electronic devices, Beijing aims to secure stable supplies of critical minerals, especially cobalt used in some lithium-ion batteries, and copper essential for power grids, electric vehicles, and digital infrastructure.

On the continent, the Africa Business+ database shows China is currently active in 123 critical minerals projects across Africa, representing 19% of total projects, making it the second most present country after South Africa, which operates in 172 projects, mostly within its own borders.