Grids & Energy
Dependency· Grids & Energy · Link

Copperbelt, DRC and Zambia

Lubumbashi, DR Congo11.66°S 27.48°E
computed criticality11/100
reading
DRC ~3rd copper producer in the world; refining mostly in China
2024
Market priceCopper · $/lb
6.22$/lb
4% over 30dthis week 0%

Indicative delayed market price: a tension gauge, distinct from the physical flow. A rise signals the input tightening.

Fault line

The DRC-Zambia copper belt has become a pillar of global electrification. A large share of the mines is Chinese-owned and the metal is refined in China, decoupling African extraction from its processing.

Actors
Glencore
CMOC
Ivanhoe (Kamoa-Kakula)
Feeds 1
Lobito CorridorChokepoints
Sources
USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2024