DR Congo Adds Lithium to Higher-Tax Strategic Minerals List

Niobium, tantalum, tungsten, and uranium were also moved into the higher tax bracket.

Background on the policy change The southeastern region holds one of the world’s largest hard-rock lithium deposits used in battery production for renewable energy. The country previously restricted cobalt exports late last year, prompting producers to adjust their strategies.

Regional context Ghana introduced a sliding-scale royalty rate for gold in March that increases with bullion prices. Mali revised its mining code last year, leading to a dispute with a Canadian miner, while Zimbabwe suspended lithium exports earlier this year.