Aug 7 — Market reports said the Democratic Republic of Congo issued an
administrative order banning exports of copper and cobalt concentrates. Zijin
Mining said its Kolwezi unit produces crude and electrolytic (cathode) copper
and Kamoa-Kakula produces anode plates and crude copper, which are not covered
by the reported ban. Separately, Hanrui Cobalt said the DRC had previously
tightened concentrate exports and that the measures do not affect the company;
its Congo copper is electrolytic copper processed and sold locally, and any ban
that lifts copper prices would likely benefit its product realizations. Hanrui
added its cobalt is initially processed into cobalt hydroxide before shipment to
China.