The Katangan Copperbelt drives the global copper market, and the Democratic Republic of Congo is right at its heart.

In 2023, the country produced 2.4 million tonnes—second only to Chile—but almost all of that output is tied up in long-term joint ventures.

Behind the scenes, TFM, KCC, Kamoa and MUMI pour in billions to keep shafts operating, while spot-market buyers face fraud risks north of 30 %.

Copper comes in many forms: LME-grade A cathode, high-grade blister copper, concentrates with varying purities, and downstream products like ingots or wire bars. Each has its own handling costs, logistical challenges and price dynamics. Those nuances can boost your margins—if you know where to focus.

For investors looking to expand, two paths stand out. You can greenfield a modular SX–EW operation—initial costs start around USD 30 million for 24 000–30 000 t/year—and retain full control of the chain. Or you can wake up a mothballed plant, cutting lead times and CAPEX by leveraging existing permits, equipment and certifications. At Zebridge, we help you strike the right balance between upfront investment and cash flow.

Trust matters when money and minerals meet. That’s why we partner with a mining-law firm boasting over 30 years of experience. You’ll work directly with our veteran mining-law agent, and you only pay dossier-opening and legal fees once you’re fully convinced of the value we deliver—no hidden costs, no surprises.

Our Zebridge Mining Advisory team guides you end to end: in-depth market studies, ROI modeling (CAPEX per tonne vs. LME spot prices), and tailored logistics analysis from EXW Katanga to FOB Dar-es-Salaam. We structure your financing, negotiate all forms of copper—cathode, concentrate, blister or ingots—and secure you priority access to LME-certified Cu-CATH-1 facilities (> 99.99 % purity).

Ready to turn DRC copper into your next success story? Email us at advisory@zebridge.com or start a live chat at zebridge.com. Together, we’ll draft your Letter of Intent (LOI), nail down volumes and specs, and build a 06 – 24 month CAPEX plan that maximizes upside while keeping risk in check.