In the southern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo—primarily the provinces of Lualaba and Haut-Katanga—the mining landscape is vastly different from the chaotic, militia-run artisanal sites of the East. Here, the industry is dominated by massive industrial complexes owned by some of the world’s largest multinational corporations.
As of early 2026, the ownership of these “tier-one” assets is concentrated among a few key players from China, Europe, and Canada, typically in joint ventures with the Congolese state-owned miner, Gécamines.
1. The Powerhouse Players: Ownership Structure 2026
The following table breaks down the most significant copper and cobalt operations in the Katanga Copperbelt:
| Mine / Project | Key Owner(s) | Ownership Stake | Project Type |
| Kamoa-Kakula |
Ivanhoe Mines (Canada) Zijin Mining (China) DRC Government |
39.6% 39.6% 20.0% |
Copper (Highest Grade globally) |
| Tenke Fungurume (TFM) |
CMOC Group (China) Gécamines (DRC State) |
80% 20% |
Copper & Cobalt |
| Kamoto Copper Co (KCC) |
Glencore (Swiss/UK) Gécamines (DRC State) |
75% 25% |
Copper & Cobalt |
| Kisanfu (KFM) |
CMOC Group (China) Contemporary Amperex (CATL) |
71.25% 23.75% |
Cobalt (Largest undeveloped) |
| Mutanda Mining (MUMI) |
Glencore (Swiss/UK) DRC Government |
~100% (State stake pending) | Copper & Cobalt |
| Sicomines |
China Railway / Sinohydro Gécamines (DRC State) |
68% 32% |
Copper & Cobalt (Infrastructure deal) |
| Kinsevere | MMG Limited (China/International) | 100% | Copper |
2. Key Recent Developments (2025–2026)
The China Dominance
China continues to hold a strategic “stranglehold” on the region. CMOC Group is now the world’s leading producer of cobalt, having successfully expanded both Tenke Fungurume and the Kisanfu (KFM) project. Their dominance is bolstered by their partnership with CATL, the world’s largest EV battery manufacturer, ensuring a direct pipeline from Congolese soil to electric car batteries.
The Rise of Kamoa-Kakula
Owned by billionaire Robert Friedland’s Ivanhoe Mines and Zijin Mining, this project is the success story of the region. Despite a minor production cap in early 2026 due to seismic repairs, it remains Africa’s largest copper producer. In January 2026, the complex successfully produced its first copper anodes from its new on-site smelter, a major step toward the DRC’s goal of processing minerals locally rather than exporting raw ore.
Glencore and the Quota System
As of 2026, the Congolese government has implemented a Cobalt Export Quota System (managed by ARECOMS) to control global prices. Glencore was the first company designated to test this system, signifying a more regulated—but still tense—relationship between Western miners and the Congolese state.
3. The Role of the State: Gécamines
While foreign companies operate the mines, Gécamines (La Générale des Carrières et des Mines) remains the “gatekeeper.”
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The Strategy: The state has shifted from being a passive partner to an active auditor. In recent years, they have aggressively renegotiated contracts (most notably with CMOC) to secure higher royalties and “settlement payments” totaling billions of dollars.
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The Revenue Gap: Despite these billions in royalties, very little of this wealth reaches the average citizen in Kolwezi or Lubumbashi, often disappearing into “state-directed” infrastructure projects or political coffers.
4. Summary of Strategic Interests
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China: Views the Katanga region as a national security asset for its EV and tech industries.
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The West: Companies like Glencore and Ivanhoe focus on high-efficiency, high-ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) production to satisfy the “responsible sourcing” demands of Apple, Tesla, and European markets.
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The DRC: Attempting to leverage “Green Metal” demand to force international players to build infrastructure (smelters, roads, and power plants) through a “Value Addition” policy.