Zambia Resumes Sulphuric Acid Exports to Congo as Copper and Cobalt Demand Accelerates

Zambia

Zambia has begun easing restrictions on sulphuric acid exports to the Democratic Republic of Congo, a move that could help stabilize one of Africa’s most strategically important mining corridors as global demand for copper and cobalt continues to rise.

The Zambian government has authorized two major producers, Chambishi Copper Smelter and Mopani Copper Mines, to resume shipments of sulphuric acid to the DRC after domestic inventories recovered, according to Trade Minister Chipoka Mulenga. The decision marks a partial reversal of export controls introduced earlier this year amid concerns over tightening local supply.

The development carries significance well beyond regional trade.

Sulphuric acid is a critical industrial chemical in the extraction of copper and cobalt, particularly in the DRC, where much of the mining sector relies on hydrometallurgical processing methods to recover minerals from oxide ores. Without a stable acid supply, production across parts of the Central African Copperbelt can slow dramatically.

That dependency has become increasingly apparent in recent months as global supply chains faced mounting strain.

Earlier this year, Zambia tightened export controls on sulphuric acid in an effort to protect domestic industries and preserve supply for local mining operations. The restrictions came amid rising global prices, logistical disruptions linked to tensions in the Middle East and growing concern over shortages across the copperbelt region.

At the same time, demand for copper and cobalt — both essential to electric vehicles, battery systems and renewable energy infrastructure — has continued to strengthen globally, increasing pressure on producers to maintain uninterrupted operations.

The Democratic Republic of Congo occupies a particularly central role in that supply chain. The country accounts for the majority of global cobalt production and remains one of the world’s largest copper producers. Many of its mining operations depend heavily on imported sulphuric acid from neighboring Zambia, whose copper smelters generate roughly two million metric tonnes of the chemical annually as a byproduct of processing sulphide ores.

Industry analysts say the easing of restrictions could help relieve operational pressure on Congolese mines that had been facing elevated input costs and tighter chemical supply.

Prices for sulphuric acid have risen sharply over the past year, driven by supply disruptions and increased demand from mining operations across Central Africa. Some mining companies have warned that prolonged shortages could eventually constrain copper and cobalt production if supply conditions fail to stabilize.

The decision by Zambia also reflects the increasingly strategic nature of industrial inputs tied to the energy transition. Materials once viewed as secondary byproducts are now becoming central to global supply chain calculations as governments and companies compete for access to critical minerals.

For Zambia, the balancing act remains delicate.

The country is seeking to expand copper production aggressively, targeting more than one million tonnes annually while also preserving sufficient chemical supply for its own mining sector. Officials have indicated that additional export licenses could be issued if domestic conditions continue to improve.

For the wider region, the resumption of exports offers temporary relief to a mining industry facing rising geopolitical and logistical pressures. Yet it also underscores a broader reality: the future of the global energy transition depends not only on access to metals such as copper and cobalt, but also on the industrial supply chains that make their extraction possible.