Quick Facts
| Location | Lualaba Province; -10.63°S, 25.48°E |
| Ownership | CMOC Group 95%, Gecamines 5% |
| Production | ~228,000 tonnes copper (2025 est.); cobalt avg. capacity 82,000 tpa |
| Workforce | ~4,000 |
| Primary Minerals | Copper, Cobalt |
| Corridor Connection | ~50km from Kolwezi rail junction |
| Operator Website | www.cmoc.com |
Overview
The Kisanfu Mine (KFM) is one of the world's largest and highest-grade undeveloped copper-cobalt deposits, now in full production as CMOC Group's second major DRC operation. Located approximately 33 kilometres from the Tenke Fungurume Mine in the Lualaba Province, Kisanfu benefits from operational synergies with its sister operation, sharing logistics infrastructure and management expertise.
CMOC acquired a 95% stake in the Kisanfu deposit in December 2020 for USD 550 million. In April 2021, Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL), the world's largest battery manufacturer, acquired a minority stake through a CMOC subsidiary, cementing a direct link between DRC cobalt extraction and global electric vehicle battery supply chains. Production commenced in the first half of 2023, with rapid ramp-up throughout 2024.
By 2025, Kisanfu had become a dominant force in global cobalt production. DRC government data presented at the February 2026 Mining Indaba indicated Kisanfu produced approximately 228,000 tonnes of copper throughout 2025, making it the country's third-largest copper mine. CMOC expects average cobalt annual production capacity at KFM to reach 82,000 tonnes in the two years to December 2026, making it one of the world's single largest cobalt-producing operations.
A Phase II expansion is planned for 2027, supported by a power purchase agreement with Lualaba Power for output from the Nzilo II hydropower station. This additional capacity will fuel what CMOC calls a new round of capacity leapfrogging at both TFM and KFM.
Community Impact
Kisanfu's development has brought employment opportunities to the Lualaba Province but also raises concerns common to large-scale mining in the DRC copperbelt. The mine's proximity to Kolwezi, a city already experiencing the pressures of rapid mining expansion, means that cumulative social and environmental impacts must be assessed holistically rather than project-by-project.
CATL's involvement as an offtaker creates a direct supply chain link from DRC artisanal mining areas to global EV batteries, bringing additional scrutiny to labour conditions and sourcing practices. The supply agreement signed with CATL runs from 2025 to 2027, with CATL holding the option to take 100% of KFM's cobalt output during this period.
CMOC has pledged to follow international ESG standards in developing Kisanfu, though independent verification of these commitments remains limited. The DRC's cobalt export ban implemented in February 2025, followed by a strict quota system from October 2025 allocating CMOC 31,200 tonnes for 2026, has disrupted cobalt export logistics and created stockpiling challenges.
Environmental Profile
Kisanfu's environmental profile is shaped by the challenges inherent to large-scale copper-cobalt mining in the copperbelt: water management, tailings disposal, and the environmental legacy of decades of mining activity in the surrounding region. The mine benefits from newer processing technology compared to legacy operations but operates in an ecologically sensitive area.
The planned Nzilo II hydropower connection is significant from a carbon perspective, potentially reducing the mine's reliance on diesel generation. However, hydropower dependence also creates vulnerability to the drought conditions that have affected power supply across the region in 2024-2025.
ESG Assessment
Status: Under Assessment
This mine has not yet received a formal Lobito Corridor ESG rating. Our assessment team is compiling baseline data from public sources, field observations, and stakeholder consultations. ESG ratings, when issued, will be verified through the source library.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2020 | CMOC acquires 95% stake for USD 550 million |
| 2021 | CATL acquires minority stake; construction begins |
| 2023 | Production commences H1 2023 |
| 2024 | Rapid production ramp-up; CMOC doubles global cobalt output |
| 2025 | ~228,000t copper produced; DRC cobalt export ban disrupts logistics |
| 2026 | Cobalt quota of 31,200t allocated; Phase II planning for 2027 |
Related Pages
Company: CMOC Group
Community: Kolwezi
Related Mines: Tenke Fungurume (sister operation)
Deals: US-DRC Strategic Partnership
Country: DRC Profile
Index: All Mine Profiles · ESG Observatory
This profile is produced independently by Lobito Corridor and does not represent the views of CMOC Group or any government. Data sourced from public filings, government reports, and independent research. Last updated: May 19, 2026.
Independent ESG Assessment
Our independent ESG assessment evaluates this operation's environmental management, social impact, governance quality, and disclosure transparency. Environmental assessment covers water management, waste handling, air emissions, biodiversity impacts, and mine closure planning. Social assessment examines community relations, employment practices, local procurement, benefit-sharing, and human rights performance. Governance assessment evaluates corporate transparency, anti-corruption measures, and stakeholder engagement quality.
Assessment findings are incorporated into our quarterly Corridor ESG Scorecards, providing stakeholders with comparable, independent ratings across all major corridor mining operations. Operations meeting our assessment thresholds are eligible for verified ESG ratings issued from our evidence archive — verifiable reputation signals that differentiate responsible operators from those whose ESG claims are unsubstantiated. Rating publication requires demonstrated performance, not just policy commitments.
Community Impact Monitoring
Community impact monitoring around this operation tracks the full spectrum of mining effects on surrounding populations. Employment and procurement spending quantify direct economic benefits to local communities. Environmental monitoring tracks water quality, air quality, and ecosystem health in areas affected by operations. Community consultation processes are evaluated for meaningful participation versus performative compliance. Grievance mechanisms are assessed for accessibility, responsiveness, and outcome fairness.
Our monitoring provides the independent verification that enables stakeholders — investors, regulators, civil society, and affected communities themselves — to assess whether this operation delivers the community benefits that its social licence to operate requires. Documentation is preserved on our source evidence archive, creating permanent records that support long-term accountability and prevent the revisionism that undermines community claims when corporate memory proves conveniently selective.
Labour Practices Assessment
Labour practices at this operation are assessed against both national labour law requirements and international standards including ILO conventions and the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights. Our assessment covers wage levels and payment practices, working hours and overtime compensation, occupational health and safety conditions, freedom of association and collective bargaining, contract terms and employment security, and subcontractor labour standards. Subcontractor labour conditions receive particular attention as subcontracting relationships can create distance between the operating company and workers that enables standards erosion.
Our assessment includes worker consultation that captures perspectives not reflected in corporate compliance reporting. Workers face barriers to reporting concerns through company channels including fear of retaliation, distrust of management-controlled grievance mechanisms, and language barriers. Our independent worker consultation provides confidential channels through which labour concerns can be documented and, where appropriate, escalated through advocacy or referral to labour rights organisations. All worker consultation documentation is handled with strict confidentiality to protect worker anonymity and prevent retaliation.
Supply Chain and Market Position
This mine's position within global mineral supply chains determines the economic dynamics that shape its operational decisions and community impact. Copper and cobalt prices, processing locations, end-user industries, and supply-demand dynamics create the commercial context within which environmental and social management decisions are made. When commodity prices are high, operators may invest more in community development and environmental management; when prices fall, these investments face pressure. Our monitoring tracks the relationship between market conditions and ESG performance to assess whether responsible practices are maintained through market cycles or only during profitable periods.
The corridor's logistics infrastructure — railway capacity, port throughput, transport costs — directly affects this mine's export economics. Improved corridor logistics reduce transport costs, improving mine profitability and potentially creating space for increased community benefit-sharing. Conversely, logistics bottlenecks increase costs and reduce the economic surplus available for community investment. Our strategic analysis evaluates how corridor infrastructure development affects this mine's economics and, consequently, the resources available for community benefit and environmental management.