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Congo wants Trafigura partner Chemaf's deal with China's Norinco halted

The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo is opposed to a proposal by Chemaf SA to sell its copper and cobalt mines in the country to China's. Norin Mining, according to a document seen .

Chemaf, a veteran partner of products trader Trafigura,. said in June it had actually consented to offer its mines in Congo to the. unit of Chinese state-backed defence and industrial giant, China. North Industries Corp (Norinco).

Chemaf put itself up for sale in 2015 due to a cash crunch. that was stalling the expansion of its Etoile and Mutoshi. projects in Congo as cobalt rates dropped.

Kizito Pakabomba, Congo's mines minister, stated the offer is. in breach of state miner Gecamines' lease agreements with Chemaf. and advised that the transaction be stopped, according to. the minutes of a council of ministers' meeting on Friday seen by. Reuters.

The council of ministers adopted the ministry of mines'. suggestion that the transaction be stopped.

Considering the flagrant infraction of the clauses of the. farm-out agreement in between Gecamines and Chemaf, it was. recommended that the current transaction be stopped following. Gecamines' opposition, the minutes said.

A Chemaf representative said the company would continue to. deal with authorities in Congo to progress the signed. transaction.

Gecamines said last month that it owns mineral rights to the. Chemaf mines and was also opposed to the deal with Norin.

China's miners, most of which are state-backed, have actually ended up being. the greatest financiers in Congo as the world's second-largest. economy aggressively pursues copper and cobalt products for its. quickly broadening electrical vehicle market.

Norinco currently owns the Comica and Lamikal copper and. cobalt operations in Congo, the world's No. 1 cobalt supplier.

(source: Reuters)