Iran war disruptions force Congo miners to cut chemical use
Congo miners are cutting chemical use as the Iran war disrupts supplies. Canceled orders for leaching agents may lead to reduced copper and cobalt production.
Major mining operations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo are scaling back the use of critical chemicals as supply chain disruptions linked to the conflict in Iran begin to impact production. Suppliers have reportedly cancelled or withdrawn orders for sulfuric acid and sodium metabisulfite (SMBS), essential components for leaching Copper and cobalt. These developments have forced miners to stretch existing inventories and consider formal reductions in output.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo serves as the world's primary source of cobalt and the largest copper producer in Africa, making its output vital for the global transition to clean energy and electric vehicle manufacturing. The current logistical crisis is largely attributed to shipping reroutes and limited freight availability caused by Middle Eastern tensions.
