THE Democratic Republic of Congo’s state mining company, Gecamines, has announced its first-ever shipment of germanium concentrates to Europe. The concentrates, produced at a new plant in the mining hub of Lubumbashi, will be sent to Belgian company Umicore for further processing.
A strategic step for Congo’s mineral ambitions
The shipment marks a significant milestone for Gecamines, as it moves to position the DRC as a global leader in strategic metals. ‘This inaugural shipment of germanium confirms our ambition to make Congo a hub for strategic metals,’ said Robert Lukama, chairman of Gecamines, in a statement on Monday.
The new Lubumbashi plant processes waste material from the Big Hill tailings dump, transforming it into valuable germanium concentrates. The plant’s output will contribute to meeting the growing global demand for this rare mineral.
Umicore’s partnership with Gecamines
In May, Umicore signed a deal with Gecamines to source germanium concentrates, helping the company diversify its supply chain. Germanium is critical for high-tech applications such as chipmaking, fibre optic cables, infrared technology, and solar cells. The agreement enables Umicore to secure an essential supply of this rare mineral while supporting the DRC’s efforts to boost its strategic metals sector.
