Democratic Congo RV lithium battery pack

Can the Democratic Republic of the Congo produce lithium-ion battery cathode precursor materials?

London and Kinshasa, November 24, 2021 – The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) can leverage its abundant cobalt resources and hydroelectric power to become a low-cost and low-emissions producer of lithium-ion battery cathode precursor materials.

Should lithium-ion batteries be expanded to DRC and Africa?

“As substantiated by the BloombergNEF report, the prospect of the expanding the value chain of development of lithium-ion batteries and electric vehicles value chains to DRC and Africa is both financially and environmentally appealing,” commented Dr. Sidi Ould Tah, Director General of the Arab Bank for Economic Development in Africa (BADEA).

Is Zijin launching lithium production in the Democratic Republic of Congo?

China’s Zijin Mining Group Co. is set to commence lithium production in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) early next year, leveraging one of the world’s largest deposits of the battery metal. Zijin is ramping up development at the Manono project in southeastern Congo, despite an ongoing legal dispute with Australia’s AVZ Minerals Ltd.

Is DRC a good destination for sustainable battery manufacturing?

Study identifies DRC as a favorable destination for the manufacturing of sustainable battery materials used in high-nickel batteries

Are lithium-ion batteries linked to child labour in the DRC?

An Amnesty International investigation in 2016 revealed that lithium-ion batteries could be linked to child labor in the DRC. The country, which has a long history of foreign exploitation of its natural resources, is now a hot spot for foreign companies to extract high-value and abundant minerals.

How much cobalt does the DRC produce?

“The DRC produces about 70 per cent of global cobalt but captures just 3 percent of the battery and electric vehicle value chain.