DRC: Zijin to launch lithium production in early 2026

Zijin Mining Group, one of the world's leading mining companies, is stepping up its activities at the Manono project, a promising site in the south-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The project, claimed by Australian company AVZ Minerals, is at the centre of a complex legal battle as Zijin pushes ahead with plans to make Manono the country's first operating lithium mine by the first quarter of 2026.

The Manono project is of strategic importance to Zijin, Congo and the global battery industry. With an average grade of 1.51% lithium oxide, the resource is considered "considerable" by Zijin's spokesperson. If projections are confirmed, the mine could rival the world's largest deposits, such as Greenbushes in Australia or Goulamina in Mali, according to CRU Group analyst Thomas Matthews.

At a time when lithium prices have fallen by almost 90% from their peak in 2022, Chinese companies, including Zijin, are continuing to invest heavily in African resources. These initiatives are aimed at securing supplies to feed their refineries and meet the growing long-term demand from the electric vehicle and energy storage industries.

The development of the Manono project is marred by a legal dispute with AVZ Minerals, which claims part of the site. AVZ accuses the Congolese government of acting illegally by revoking its licence and awarding part of the site to a Zijin subsidiary in September 2023.

The Australian company has launched arbitration proceedings against the Congolese government and Zijin, claiming that the courts have ordered the suspension of all initiatives in the disputed area. However, AVZ accuses the Congolese authorities of not respecting these injunctions.

At the same time, AVZ is facing accusations of corruption linked to the project. The company has denied any wrongdoing, despite a recent search of its premises by the Australian Federal Police.

Despite the legal challenges, Zijin is making progress in the field. The company obtained a full operating licence four months ago and plans to develop the site in several stages. Initially, the joint venture will produce and export lithium concentrate and sulphate. Zijin then plans to launch on-site refining operations, subject to a reliable electricity supply. A nearby hydroelectric facility has already been rehabilitated by a subsidiary of the company.

Zijin insists that it is fully compliant with the DRC's legal and regulatory requirements. "We are very pleased to have received the operating licence for Manono, and our priority now is to proceed with its development," said the spokesman.

If the Manono project reaches its full potential, it could transform the lithium landscape in Africa and reinforce Congo's role as a key player in strategic resources. Currently the world's second largest producer of copper and largest producer of cobalt, the DRC could extend its influence in the battery industry by adding lithium to its portfolio of critical resources.

The Manono project, supported by Zijin, embodies both the opportunities and the tensions that accompany the exploitation of strategic resources. Between industrial ambitions and legal disputes, it remains a site to keep a close eye on in the years to come.