GECAMINES SA – cornerstone of a 'win-win' green energy transition

Gécamines mineral processing unit: concentrator and washing plant of Kamatanda in Likasi

In today's interconnected world, fostering international partnerships is more important than ever. Gécamines SA plays a crucial role in supplying China with essential materials for battery production and other products that support the global energy transition.

As one of Africa's largest mining companies, located on the world's richest cobalt and copper deposits, Gécamines SA is a key economic player both in Africa and globally. Headquartered in Lubumbashi, Gécamines SA focuses on mineral exploration, research, extraction, processing, and commercialization, and is expanding to meet international development demands. One of its top priorities is the green economy, as cobalt and other critical minerals are needed to power rechargeable batteries that reduce reliance on unsustainable energy sources.

The company is on a transformative journey to become a major, global industrial pillar. This strategic shift aims to launch a new economic and institutional paradigm in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Under the visionary leadership of President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo, the mining sector is undergoing significant reforms to improve governance, business practices, and global competitiveness. Gécamines SA fully embraces these reforms, aiming to enhance performance, increase the value chain, and strengthen partnerships. These reforms demonstrate its commitment to continuous improvement and a shared vision for the future.

The company's progress is validated by a recent Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) report showing strong scores in improving resource governance. President Tshisekedi's objectives, closely aligned with the ones of the company, include job creation, wealth generation, and promoting industrialization and diversification of the Congolese economy.

A significant step towards universal goals like sustainability, interconnectivity, and economic prosperity is the recent strategic partnership between Gécamines SA subsidiary STL and Umicore. This collaboration focuses on creating a sustainable value chain for its mineral products, from extraction to processing to final use. Umicore's expertise in refining and recycling will optimize the new STL processing facility, granting it exclusive access to processed germanium for high-tech applications. This partnership exemplifies Gécamines SA's commitment to value creation and sustainable resource management.

Gécamines Quarry: Kambove open-pit mine

To continue thriving, Gécamines SA must set the terms of engagement with the international community. Historically, companies worldwide have been vital partners, but too often, Congolese citizens have not benefited from the mining sector's transformative potential. The company's top priority is to assist its international partners, including Chinese companies, while promoting job creation and adding value to the Congolese economy. Responsible resource management is crucial for the long-term sustainability of its operations and the well-being of Congolese citizens.

The company recognizes that the speed of resource extraction outpaces the rate at which Congolese citizens are acquiring the necessary skills to contribute to the supply chain. Restructuring operations now ensures the DRC remains a reliable partner providing essential minerals for innovation. Maintaining the current structure risks failing to support the people of the DRC adequately or to meet the global demand for cobalt and other key minerals.

However, the company cannot achieve this alone. Its agreement with the French Bureau de Recherches Géologiques et Minières (BRGM) to cooperate in geosciences reflects Gécamines SA's commitment to adopting best international practices while ensuring responsible resource protection. It also focuses on deepening relationships with Chinese partners to address joint problems and achieve mutual prosperity.

At the recent Cobalt Congress in New York City, the company highlighted that Gécamines SA accounts for more than half of the world's total cobalt production, a figure expected to rise in the coming years. The DRC's economy heavily depends on the extractive sector, which contributed 46 percent of government revenues and 98.9 percent of exports in 2021. This dependence is a vulnerability and a significant challenge for both Gécamines and the DRC.

The company's role in the green energy transition is too important to delay necessary improvements. It must collaborate with partners like China to implement reforms creating a "win-win" situation for all.