Tengyuan to build mineral processing plant in DRC
Tengyuan Cobalt has announced plans to set up a mineral processing in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The development estimated to cost an investment of US $134.2M will be developed in the Lualaba Province.
The project is part of Tengyuan’s broader strategy to enhance production capacity and solidify its role in the critical minerals supply chain. The latest phase of construction at Tengyuan’s Kolwezi facility includes the expansion of its solvent extraction and electrowinning (SX/EW) plant.
Upon completion, the upgraded facility will have the capacity to produce 10,000 tonnes of cobalt and 60,000 tonnes of copper per year. Additional outputs will include 200,000 tonnes of sulfuric acid and 16,500 tonnes of liquid sulfur dioxide, essential inputs for industrial processes and battery production.
Growth in economy
Tengyuan has already completed trial runs of cobalt product lines capable of generating 13,500 tonnes annually. These developments build on the company’s existing operations in the DRC, where it currently processes 40,000 tonnes of copper and 10,000 tonnes of cobalt intermediates each year. The investments align with global efforts to secure the supply of minerals vital to electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies.
With the DRC being home to some of the world’s richest copper and cobalt reserves, Tengyuan’s continued investment underscores the strategic importance of the region. The company is one of several Chinese-backed firms expanding operations in the country, reinforcing China’s influence in the global mining and battery materials sector. The construction of the new processing facility is expected to boost local economic activity while contributing to the global energy transition.
