Picture Credits: Gécamines offices in DRC’s capital, Kinshasa.
Gecamines, the state-owned mining company in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), announced on Monday that it will begin shipping germanium concentrates to Europe for the first time. The concentrates, produced at a newly established facility in Lubumbashi, will be sent to Umicore in Belgium for further processing and use in high-tech applications.
“This inaugural shipment of germanium confirms our long-held ambition to establish Congo as a global hub for strategic metals,” stated Gecamines Chairman Robert Lukama.
The partnership with Umicore, formalized through a contract signed in May, aims to boost production at the new facility, which processes waste from the Big Hill tailings dump. This collaboration also helps Umicore diversify its germanium supply. Germanium is a rare material with critical applications in solar cells, fiber optic cables, infrared technology, and chip manufacturing.
This move marks a significant step for Gecamines, highlighting its commitment to unlocking the DRC’s vast mineral potential and contributing to the global supply chain for strategic metals.
Credits to Felix Njini
