DRC to Advance Mineral Certification at Mining Week
The CEEC will present new mineral traceability initiatives during the African Mining Week conference in October 2026.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Electric Vehicles
Live Poll
Will stricter national mineral certification requirements help the DRC attract more foreign mining investment?
The Democratic Republic of Congo's Center for Expertise, Evaluation and Certification of Mineral Substances (CEEC) will attend African Mining Week 2026, held from October 14-16 in Cape Town. The delegation intends to showcase advancements in mineral certification and traceability systems as the country targets its vast natural resource reserves.
Why it matters
As the DRC works to unlock an estimated $24 trillion in mineral wealth, strengthening certification infrastructure is essential for global market access and investor confidence. The agency is actively diversifying its mineral production base while decentralizing its analytical capabilities across key provinces.
The DRC estimates its total mineral wealth at $24 trillion. The new Lubumbashi National Laboratory, slated for completion by the end of 2026, is pursuing international ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation to standardize certification.
The players
Center for Expertise, Evaluation and Certification of Mineral Substances
This is the primary agency responsible for the monitoring and certification of mineral substances in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Manono Lithium
This mining entity operates in the DRC and had its first mineral export lots certified by the government in July 2026.
Kamoto Copper Company
This company hosts a new CEEC traceability office located within the Lualaba Province.
The details
The CEEC is expanding its footprint by decentralizing certification infrastructure, including a new traceability office at the Kamoto Copper Company in Lualaba Province. Additionally, the agency acquired a representative building in Durban, South Africa, to support its regional integration efforts.
Timeline
July 2026: CEEC certified the first lithium exports from Manono Lithium.
October 14-16, 2026: African Mining Week 2026 occurs in Cape Town.
End of 2026: Expected completion of the Lubumbashi National Laboratory.
Roadmap
The push for stringent certification standards like ISO/IEC 17025 signals a pivot toward formalizing the mineral supply chain to meet global electric vehicle battery demand. This strategic expansion positions the DRC to exert greater control over the export process compared to historical, less regulated mining cycles.
Improved certification and traceability in the DRC provide greater transparency for manufacturers sourcing battery-grade minerals for electric vehicles. This standardization helps global automotive brands ensure their supply chains meet international compliance requirements.
The takeaway
Formalizing mineral certification is a critical step for mineral-rich nations seeking to integrate into the global automotive supply chain. Tracking these institutional upgrades helps analysts gauge the stability and reliability of future battery material imports.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving battery materials supply chain in our Electric Vehicles section.
Live Poll
Will stricter national mineral certification requirements help the DRC attract more foreign mining investment?
