Mining

China’s Export Ban on Germanium Opens Doors for DRC

China’s Export Ban on Germanium Opens Doors for DRC
Thursday, 05 December 2024 12:32

China has banned the export of several critical minerals to the US. Announced and implemented on December 3, the move covers minerals like gallium and germanium. It is a response to U.S. restrictions on technology sales to China. This is good news for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), which could position itself as a rival of China as a germanium supplier.

The DRC aims to supply 30% of the global germanium demand, according to Gécamines, the State-owned mining company leading this effort. In a July 2023 interview with Reuters, Gécamines President Guy Robert Lukama said Chinese restrictions present opportunities for the DRC. China's earlier measures had already disrupted supplies of critical minerals such as germanium. 

“The move by China will create some scarcity in the market, which means that our germanium which is not yet committed could have more value [...]There are no customers yet, but there is interest, it's been there since we started the project and we are quite sure that we will get more interest on our germanium shortly.”

In May 2024, Gécamines announced a partnership with Belgium's Umicore to process germanium from the "Big Hill" tailings site in Lubumbashi. The first germanium concentrate exports to Belgium started in October 2024. Increased disruptions from Beijing's recent measures may help Gécamines attract more customers and encourage investment in other Congolese tailings sites. 

The Lubumbashi hydrometallurgical plant, which has an annual production capacity of 30 tonnes of germanium, was built with a $75 million investment and is expected to be completed in 2023. In addition to germanium, the plant will produce zinc oxide, copper, and cobalt.

Emiliano Tossou

On the same topic
Serengeti Energy reached financial close on the 32-MWp Ilute solar project in western Zambia. The project relies on a merchant power purchase agreement...
Cameroon plans a partial start-up of the Kribi refinery at 10,000 barrels per day in H2 2026. The revised timeline accelerates the project by...
West African Resources produced 205,228 ounces of gold at Sanbrado in 2025, within its guidance range. Total Burkina Faso output from Sanbrado and...
Petrol and diesel prices fell sharply from 7 January 2026, with diesel down by up to R1.50 per litre, reflecting lower global oil prices and a firmer...
Most Read
01

The BCID-AES launches with 500B CFA to fund Sahel infrastructure, asserting sovereignty from the B...

AES Launches Confederal Investment Bank: A Strategic Pivot Toward Sahelian Financial Sovereignty
02

Gabon names Thierry Minko economy and finance minister in Jan. 1 reshuffle Move follows tra...

Gabon Appoints Thierry Minko Economy Minister in Post-Transition Reshuffle
03

Togo passes new law tightening anti-money laundering and terrorism financing rules Legislat...

Togo Overhauls Anti-Money Laundering Rules to Meet Global Standards
04

Ethiopia agreed in principle with investors holding over 45% of its $1 billion eurobond due 2...

Ethiopia Secures Preliminary Eurobond Restructuring Deal With Private Investors
05

Heirs Energies acquires M&P’s 20% Seplat stake for $496M, exiting french group Maurel & Pro...

Heirs Holdings Push Oil Equity Production to 50,000 Barrels Per Day Following $496 Million Share Acquisition in SEPLAT
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

regie@agenceecofin.com 
Tél: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72


EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.