A major $1.4 billion lithium mining project in the Democratic Republic of Congo is set to become one of the largest lithium mines globally, potentially reshaping Africa’s role in the supply chain for batteries and electric vehicles, according to Business Insider Africa. The project is being developed by Zijin Mining Group, which is preparing to launch operations in the Manono region, a site long recognized for its exceptionally large lithium deposits.
Once fully operational, the mine is expected to produce around 130,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent per year, a volume that could account for nearly 5 percent of global lithium output by 2028, underscoring its potential scale and strategic importance amid growing demand for battery metals. A new processing facility associated with the project will convert hundreds of thousands of tonnes of lithium concentrate into lithium sulphate for battery manufacturing.
The Manono area has been known for its vast lithium reserves, pegmatite deposits here are among the largest in the world and infrastructure plans include not just extraction but also downstream processing to serve global markets.
