Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) copper production is expected to grow moderately in 2025, supported by efficiency gains at key operations such as Mutanda, Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM) and Kinsevere, although this growth will be partially offset by production disruptions at the Kamoa-Kakula complex following temporary flooding.
In 2026, production is forecast to increase strongly with an annual growth rate of 6% to reach 3,404.1kt, as operations normalize at Kamoa-Kakula, restoring volumes lost in 2025 and allowing the Phase 3 expansion to deliver its planned capacity increases, while the Mutanda, TFM and Kinsevere mines are expected to maintain stable performance, collectively driving a significant increase in national production.
Additional upside in 2026 will come from the Mutoshi project, which began operations in September 2025, along with stable production from the Kipushi mine, which entered commercial production in 2024. Medium-term growth will be further supported by continued process optimization, favorable ore grades at several mid-tier assets, and ongoing investments in expansions and mine life extensions, including plans to increase capacity at Kamoa-Kakula. at 600 ktpa and performance and quality. improvements in the TFM.
Chinese mining and smelting companies are expected to remain central to this growth trajectory through sustained investment, accelerated expansion schedules and deeper integration across the copper value chain, supported by government policies aimed at strengthening domestic participation and boosting copper production and exports.
However, DRC copper production is expected to gradually enter a decline phase from 2029, as several large deposits approach depletion and high-grade zones at key mines are depleted. While ongoing ramp-ups and near-term expansions will support near-term production, production is projected to trend downward as operations transition from peak ore grades to declining grades.
Overall, over the period 2025 to 2035, copper production is forecast to increase at a modest compound annual growth rate, reaching around 3.511 billion by 2035, reflecting a strong medium-term recovery followed by structural supply constraints in the later years of the forecast.
“Operational Recovery Forecast Will Drive Strong Growth in DR Congo Copper Production in 2026” was created and originally published by Mining Technology, a brand owned by GlobalData.
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