According to SCMP, on January 7th, Zijin Mining Group has announced that its first lithium exploration project in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), the Manono lithium mine, is set to begin production in the first quarter of 2026. The Manono project, one of the world’s largest lithium-rich pegmatite deposits, marks Congo’s entry into lithium mining, which is the world’s second-largest copper producer and leading source of cobalt. The project is being developed as a joint venture between Zijin Mining and COMINIERE, a state-owned mining company in Congo. With an average grade of 1.51% lithium oxide, the Manono deposit is expected to meet growing global demand for lithium.
Zijin plans to initially produce and export lithium concentrate and sulfate from Manono, with further processing facilities under consideration as power supply stabilizes. The company has yet to disclose production targets but confirmed that processing will be commissioned in phases. The Manono project is part of Zijin’s broader strategy to secure battery metal resources globally. The company’s lithium portfolio also includes projects in China and Argentina. The company operates mines for copper, gold, lithium, and zinc acrossfive continents and holds a significant 39.6% stakein the giant Kamoa-Kakula copper complex in Congo.
While the Manono mine progresses toward production, its ownership remains contentious. Australian firm AVZ Minerals Limited, the original explorer of the deposit, has initiated arbitration against the Congolese government, accusing it of illegally transferring exploration rights to Zijin’s joint venture in 2023. AVZ claims Manono is “the world’s largest hard rock lithium deposit” and has secured injunctions to halt development in disputed areas. Meanwhile, Zijin maintains full compliance with Congolese regulations and has prioritized advancing the project, including rehabilitating a nearby hydroelectric facility to support operations.
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