A new report has revealed that China's mining company, Zijin has started exporting lithium concentrate from its Manono project in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The shipments mark the first time the African country has exported lithium.
The exports began in June 2026 after the project's processing plant entered production in May 2026, which was one month ahead of schedule.
The shipments are currently traveling overland and by water, with expectations that the material will reach Chinese refineries by October 2026.
According to a report from an unnamed source with direct knowledge of the mining operations "Exports started in June as planned,." The source also confirmed that "They are shipping everything to China."
The lithium contest
