Mining and Investment Glossary
Essential terms for understanding mining and investment in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Minerals
Cobalt
A hard, lustrous metal used primarily in lithium-ion battery cathodes. The DRC produces approximately 70% of the world's cobalt supply, making it the most critical source country for EV battery manufacturing.
Read full definition →Copper
A conductive metal essential for electrical wiring, construction, and renewable energy infrastructure. The DRC is Africa's largest copper producer with major operations in Haut-Katanga and Lualaba provinces.
Read full definition →Lithium
A lightweight metal critical for rechargeable batteries used in EVs and energy storage. The DRC's Manono deposit is one of the world's largest hard-rock lithium deposits.
Read full definition →Coltan
A mineral ore containing tantalum, used in capacitors for smartphones, laptops, and aerospace components. The DRC holds approximately 60% of the world's coltan reserves, primarily in North and South Kivu.
Read full definition →Regulatory
Mining Concession
A government-granted right to explore and extract minerals from a defined area. In the DRC, concessions are granted by the Cadastre Minier (CAMI) and subject to the 2018 Mining Code.
Read full definition →Mining Royalty
A payment to the government based on the value of minerals extracted. DRC royalties range from 3.5% for standard minerals to 10% for strategic minerals like cobalt.
Read full definition →ANAPI
Agence Nationale pour la Promotion des Investissements. The DRC's national agency responsible for promoting and facilitating foreign investment.
Read full definition →Free Carry Interest
The DRC government's 10% equity stake in mining projects, obtained without contributing capital. This is mandated by the 2018 Mining Code.
Read full definition →Special Economic Zone
Designated areas offering tax incentives and reduced regulation to attract investment. The DRC has established SEZs in Kinshasa, Lubumbashi, and Matadi.
Read full definition →Mining
Artisanal Mining
Small-scale mining operations typically using manual labor. The DRC has over 2 million artisanal miners. CongoConnect360 supports formalization programs that improve safety and compliance.
Read full definition →Investment
Due Diligence
The process of investigating an investment opportunity before committing capital. CongoConnect360's Congo Verified process evaluates legal, financial, environmental, and social dimensions.
Read full definition →ESG
Environmental, Social, and Governance criteria used to evaluate the sustainability and ethical impact of investments. CongoConnect360 requires all listed projects to meet ESG compliance standards.
Read full definition →IRR
Internal Rate of Return. The annualized rate of return that makes the net present value of all cash flows from an investment equal to zero. DRC mining projects typically target 15-40% IRR.
Read full definition →Organizations
Gecamines
La Generale des Carrieres et des Mines. The DRC's state-owned mining company that holds significant mineral rights and participates in joint ventures with international miners.
Read full definition →Geography
Copperbelt
A geographic region spanning southeastern DRC (Lualaba and Haut-Katanga provinces) and northern Zambia, containing some of the world's richest copper and cobalt deposits.
Read full definition →Infrastructure
Grand Inga
A proposed hydroelectric dam on the Congo River with potential capacity of 40,000 MW. If completed, it would be the world's largest hydropower facility.
Read full definition →CongoConnect360
Congo Verified
CongoConnect360's proprietary due diligence certification process that evaluates investment projects across legal, financial, environmental, social, geological, and management dimensions.
Read full definition →Technology
NMC Battery
Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt battery chemistry used in most electric vehicles. Requires cobalt from sources including the DRC.
Read full definition →Explore DRC Investment Opportunities
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