Zijin’s Congo Lithium Mine to Rank Among World’s Biggest

Why It Matters

Manono’s output will significantly boost global lithium supply, easing pressure on battery manufacturers while positioning China’s Zijin as a key player in the energy transition. The project also highlights the strategic importance and geopolitical risk of African mineral assets.

Key Takeaways

• Manono will produce 130,000 t LCE annually
• Project represents ~5% of global lithium supply by 2028
• Zijin holds 55% stake; Congo state holds remainder
• $1.4 bn investment includes smelter processing 500k t concentrate
• Legal disputes with AVZ Minerals; KoBold Metals also interested

Pulse Analysis

The lithium boom is reshaping the global commodities landscape, and Africa is emerging as a pivotal source of the metal. While Australia and South America have long dominated hard‑rock lithium, the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Manono deposit offers a rare, high‑grade resource that can meet the escalating demand from electric‑vehicle and storage battery manufacturers. By bringing a massive, vertically integrated operation online, Zijin not only diversifies its portfolio beyond copper and gold but also secures a strategic foothold in the battery supply chain, a move that aligns with China’s broader push for resource security.

At an estimated $1.4 billion, the Manono project combines mining, concentration, and on‑site smelting to produce up to 130,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent each year. The planned smelter, set to process half a million tonnes of concentrate into lithium sulphate, positions the mine to deliver a ready‑to‑use product for downstream refiners. With a 55% ownership stake, Zijin will capture the bulk of the economic upside, while the Congolese government retains the remaining share, ensuring state participation in the lucrative market. The scale of Manono places it just behind a handful of Australian giants, marking a shift in the geographic distribution of lithium supply.

However, the project is not without hurdles. Ongoing arbitration by Australia’s AVZ Minerals over a revoked licence and competing interest from AI‑driven explorer KoBold Metals inject legal uncertainty. Moreover, regional policy shifts—such as Zimbabwe’s recent ban on lithium concentrate exports—tighten near‑term market dynamics and could affect pricing. Investors will need to weigh the high‑reward potential against these geopolitical and regulatory risks, as Manono’s success could set a precedent for future African mining ventures in the clean‑energy era.