Congo has introduced new conditions for cobalt exporters, complicating a recently established quota system, government documents show.
Miners must now pre-pay a 10% royalty within 48 hours and secure a compliance certificate before exports, the circular reviewed by Reuters states.
The Democratic Republic of Congo replaced a months-long export ban with a quota system in October, aiming to boost state revenues.
Producers, responsible for over 70% of the world’s cobalt, have halted shipments while seeking clarity on complex compliance rules, sources told Reuters.
A joint circular from the mines and finance ministries mandates quota verification, joint sampling, weighing, sealing of lots, and issuance of a new certificate.
The Quota Verification Certificate (AVQ) must accompany export documentation alongside multiple agency certificates, with rules effective immediately, the circular confirms.
Exporters are also required to pre-pay mining royalties and obtain a “liberatory receipt” before customs clearance, while shipments undergo physical inspections.
Congo allocated 18,125 metric tons of export quotas for Q4 2025 and plans 96,600 tons annually from 2026, with China’s CMOC and Glencore receiving largest shares.
Authorities warned that non-compliance could result in severe penalties, including licence revocation, raising concerns among industry executives over operational uncertainty.
Cobalt prices have surged to $24 a pound amid supply constraints, up from $16 in August and $10 in February, reflecting volatility sparked by regulatory shifts.
Congo is pushing reforms to control its vast mining output, launching traceable artisanal cobalt and partnering with Swiss trader Mercuria to market critical minerals.