(Ecofin Agency) - Over the first three quarters of 2017, DR Congo’s copper output has increased by 9.3%. The country has produced over the period 831,000 tons of the red ore, the Central Bank reported on Monday.

In the meantime, cobalt’s production rose by 18% to 59,000 tons while gold’s increased by 5.7% to 23,000 kg.

These increases should enable the Central African nation to cushion the negative performances forecast for its economy.

DRC is the world’s leading copper and cobalt producer, but paradoxically is one of the poorest countries.