BUSINESS

Zijin Controlled Manono Project Launches Congo’s First Lithium Exports

Published: Jul. 29, 2026 4:11 a.m. GMT+8

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Zijin developed the northeastern section of the Manono deposit and is the ultimate controlling shareholder of Manono Lithium. Photo: Zijin

The Democratic Republic of Congo has authorized the first exports of lithium products from a major mining project controlled by Shanghai-listed Zijin Mining Group Co., marking the country’s entry into the global lithium supply chain.

The shipment from the Manono lithium mine underscores the DRC’s potential to become a significant supplier of critical minerals for the energy transition, even as the project remains entangled in a long-running dispute involving Chinese, Australian and U.S. interests.

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Explore the story in 30 seconds

DRC authorized first lithium exports from Manono mine, controlled by Zijin Mining, entering global supply chain.
Manono deposit holds 6.5 million metric tons of LCE resources, but development is entangled in disputes involving Chinese, Australian, and U.S. interests.
U.S. startup KoBold Metals plans $50 million investment after acquiring AVZ's interests, supported by a U.S.-DRC minerals agreement.

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Who’s Who

Zijin Mining Group Co.: Zijin Mining Group Co., listed in Shanghai, controls the Manono lithium project in the DRC. The DRC recently authorized and certified the first exports of lithium products from the mine, marking the country's entry into the global lithium supply chain.

Manono Lithium: Manono Lithium, controlled by Zijin Mining Group, made the first certified exports of lithium from the DRC in July. The company is part of a JV holding 54.9% in Tanganyika province. The project is entangled in a dispute involving Zijin, Australian miner AVZ, and U.S. firm KoBold Metals.

Jinxiang Lithium: Jinxiang Lithium is Zijin Mining's overseas unit. In 2023, it formed a joint venture with DRC state miner Cominiere for the Manono mine, holding 54.9% of the venture, while Cominiere holds 35.1% and the government 10%. It recently certified and exported first lithium products from the project.

Cominiere: Cominiere is a state-owned mining company in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It holds a 35.1% stake in the Manono Lithium joint venture with Zijin Mining. Previously involved in a dispute with Australian miner AVZ over a stake sale, it partnered with Zijin in October 2023 to develop the northeastern section of the Manono lithium deposit.

Dathomir Mining Resources: Dathomir Mining Resources is a Congolese private company that co-held the Manono lithium project. It originally held the project with Cominiere. In 2016, AVZ Minerals acquired a 60% stake, leaving Dathomir with a 15% interest.

AVZ Minerals Ltd.: AVZ Minerals Ltd., an Australian miner, acquired a 60% stake in the DRC's Manono lithium project. It entered arbitration against Zijin and Cominiere over a stake sale, winning procedural grounds. After its mining license was revoked in 2023, development stalled. In 2025, AVZ agreed to sell its interests to U.S. start-up KoBold Metals.

KoBold Metals: KoBold Metals is a U.S. startup backed by Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos that uses AI in critical-mineral exploration. In May 2025, it reached an agreement to acquire AVZ Minerals' interests in the Manono lithium mine in the DRC. It plans to invest $50 million and has obtained 13 exploration licenses there.

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What Happened When

2016：: Australian miner AVZ Minerals Ltd. acquired a 60% stake in the project's main development vehicle, leaving Cominiere with 25% and Dathomir with 15%.

2020：: Lithium prices began surging amid rising electric-vehicle demand.

2021：: AVZ began international arbitration against Cominiere and Zijin after Cominiere sold a 15% stake in the project to Zijin.

Late 2022：: Lithium prices reached nearly 600,000 yuan ($88,624) a ton. Cominiere asked Congo’s mining ministry to review AVZ’s exploration license. The struggle over control shifted.

2023：: Zijin's overseas unit, Jinxiang Lithium, formed a joint venture with state-owned miner Cominiere.

January 2023：: The mining ministry revoked an earlier decision that had allowed AVZ to convert its exploration permit into a mining license.

October 2023：: Cominiere partnered with Zijin to explore and develop the northeastern greenfield section, leading to the creation of Manono Lithium and the project’s rapid buildout.

2024：: The International Chamber of Commerce sided with AVZ on procedural grounds, though it did not rule on the validity of the stake sale itself.

May 2025：: U.S. start-up KoBold Metals reached a framework agreement to acquire AVZ’s interests in Manono.

December 2025：: A minerals cooperation agreement was signed by Washington and Kinshasa.

Before 2026：: The Democratic Republic of Congo authorized the first exports of lithium products from the Manono lithium mine, marking the country's entry into the global lithium supply chain in 2026.

2026：: The cargo was shipped via the port of Kalemie in Tanganyika province.

As of 2026：: The DRC's lithium resources remained largely undeveloped, and Manono is among the world's largest known high-grade, undeveloped hard-rock lithium deposits suited to large-scale open-pit mining. Zijin is the ultimate controlling shareholder of Manono Lithium. Jinxiang Lithium holds 54.9%, Cominiere 35.1%, and the Congolese government 10% in the joint venture. The broader Manono project was complicated by overlapping claims and legal disputes.

As of 2026：: KoBold Metals has reportedly obtained 13 licenses in southeastern Congo to search for battery metals.

April 2026：: KoBold's chief executive said the company planned to invest about $50 million by the end of the first quarter of 2027, including $20 million already spent securing exploration licenses.

July 22, 2026：: The Centre d’Expertise, d’Evaluation et de Certification (CEEC) certified the first batch of lithium products for export from Manono Lithium.

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