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DRC
Trafigura plays catch-up on cobalt and copper with two deals worth a billion dollars

Having already secretly signed a $400m financing deal with the Chinese firm Chengtun, which has taken over Nzuri Copper's mines, the Genevan trader Trafigura is now set to finalise a deal with Chemaf first announced in late January. [...]

Published on 12/05/2022 at 05:00 GMT Reading time 2 minutes

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DRC
From Washington to Kinshasa, fierce battle rages over takeover of mining gem

The fate of Chemaf, one of the last miners to escape Chinese influence, is the subject of intense competition involving US ambitions, Swiss traders' calculations and Congolese power brokers. The bid of American company Virtus Minerals has recently obtained the support of the US State Department.

Subscribers only Mining 24.12.2025

DRC
Gécamines tries to block Chemaf sale to Chinese firm

State-owned Gécamines is fighting the sale of the mining company Chemaf to the Chinese company Norin Mining and could go so far as to withdraw the licences it has granted to this subsidiary of the Shalina Resources group.

Subscribers only Mining 03.07.2024

DRC
Double act takes over from Trafigura trader Economou to ensure cobalt continuity

The discovery of major fraud in Trafigura's nickel business, which could cost the Swiss firm up to $577m, pushed its trader Socrates Economou towards the exit. Mehdi Wetterwald and Daniel von Arx are taking over from him and will head to DR Congo to secure the group's supplies of cobalt.

Subscribers only Mining, Commodity traders 15.03.2023

Angola, DRC
Trafigura and Vecturis get to work on relaunch of Kolwezi-Lobito rail freight corridor

The Swiss trading giant and its Belgian rail partner, which now hold the concession for operation of the line, are discussing with mining and logistics groups, as well as shipping companies.

Free access Infrastructure, Mining, Commodity traders, Central Africa 29.11.2022

Angola, DRC
Trafigura, Vecturis and Mota-Engil all set to restart Kolwezi-Lobito rail corridor

The consortium of the three European groups, which won the tender to run the Angolan part of the mining railway, has already begun talks with Kinshasa and the Société Nationale des Chemins de fer Congolais.

Subscribers only Infrastructure, Mining, Commodity traders 06.09.2022

In Focus | DRC, United States
US disillusioned over failure to turn DR Congo away from Beijing

Ever since Félix Tshisekedi took power, Washington had hoped he would curb China's huge influence in the country. Four years later, the United States is bitterly disappointed that it has failed to break Beijing's hegemony in strategic mining issues.

Subscribers only Mining, Diplomacy 05.09.2022

US president Joe Biden and his Congolese counterpart Félix Tshisekedi in October 2021.

DRC
State firm competes with local and foreign groups on mining freight market

The state-owned shipping company Lignes Maritimes Congolaises plans to launch its export service from the DRC on 1 June, with its primary target being mining groups.

Subscribers only Mining 30.05.2022

Central Africa
Why Trafigura has positioned itself on the Lobito-Kolwezi corridor

Swiss trader Trafigura, which is increasing its supply agreements in the DRC and Zambia, is keen to trump its competitors by having a copper transport route to Angola. Together with Mota-Engil and Vecturis, it has responded to the call for tenders to manage the rail corridor between Kolwezi and Lobito.

Subscribers only Mining, Commodity traders 09.03.2022

DRC
Trafigura execs in Lubumbashi to try to save Gécamines cobalt partnership

Representatives of the Swiss trading giant have travelled to Lubumbashi to talk to Gécamines' new management, where they hope to persuade the state-owned mining firm to continue its artisanal cobalt partnership with them.

Free access Mining, Commodity traders 02.03.2022

Spotlight | Africa
Glencore strives to overtake rival Trafigura on "responsible" cobalt

Through the Fair Cobalt Alliance which it co-founded, Swiss trading giant Glencore aims to improve the social and environmental image of its Congolese cobalt operations. It hopes in this way to gain an advantage over its rival Trafigura, which in turn, is banking on its artisanal mining partnership with Gécamines.

Subscribers only Mining, Commodity traders, Business 08.02.2022

An open pit at Tenke Fungurume, a copper and cobalt mine.

DRC
Trafigura's cobalt partnership threatened by top management changes at Gecamines

Even though it has not yet come into force, the Swiss trader's exclusive contract for the marketing of the DRC's artisanal cobalt has been called into question by the arrival of Alphonse Kaputo and Leon Mwine at the head of Gecamines.

Subscribers only Mining, Commodity traders 20.01.2022

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DRC
Trafigura plays catch-up on cobalt and copper with two deals worth a billion dollars

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Related topics to this article

DRC
From Washington to Kinshasa, fierce battle rages over takeover of mining gem

DRC
Gécamines tries to block Chemaf sale to Chinese firm

DRC
Double act takes over from Trafigura trader Economou to ensure cobalt continuity

Angola, DRC
Trafigura and Vecturis get to work on relaunch of Kolwezi-Lobito rail freight corridor

Angola, DRC
Trafigura, Vecturis and Mota-Engil all set to restart Kolwezi-Lobito rail corridor

In Focus | DRC, United States
US disillusioned over failure to turn DR Congo away from Beijing

DRC
State firm competes with local and foreign groups on mining freight market

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Why Trafigura has positioned itself on the Lobito-Kolwezi corridor

DRC
Trafigura execs in Lubumbashi to try to save Gécamines cobalt partnership

Spotlight | Africa
Glencore strives to overtake rival Trafigura on "responsible" cobalt

DRC
Trafigura's cobalt partnership threatened by top management changes at Gecamines

Related topics to this article

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DRC Trafigura plays catch-up on cobalt and copper with two deals worth a billion dollars

This article may be accessed by subscribers

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Related topics to this article

DRC From Washington to Kinshasa, fierce battle rages over takeover of mining gem

DRC Gécamines tries to block Chemaf sale to Chinese firm

DRC Double act takes over from Trafigura trader Economou to ensure cobalt continuity

Angola, DRC Trafigura and Vecturis get to work on relaunch of Kolwezi-Lobito rail freight corridor

Angola, DRC Trafigura, Vecturis and Mota-Engil all set to restart Kolwezi-Lobito rail corridor

In Focus | DRC, United States US disillusioned over failure to turn DR Congo away from Beijing

DRC State firm competes with local and foreign groups on mining freight market

Central Africa Why Trafigura has positioned itself on the Lobito-Kolwezi corridor

DRC Trafigura execs in Lubumbashi to try to save Gécamines cobalt partnership

Spotlight | Africa Glencore strives to overtake rival Trafigura on "responsible" cobalt

DRC Trafigura's cobalt partnership threatened by top management changes at Gecamines

Related topics to this article

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

DRC
Trafigura plays catch-up on cobalt and copper with two deals worth a billion dollars

DRC
From Washington to Kinshasa, fierce battle rages over takeover of mining gem

DRC
Gécamines tries to block Chemaf sale to Chinese firm

DRC
Double act takes over from Trafigura trader Economou to ensure cobalt continuity

Angola, DRC
Trafigura and Vecturis get to work on relaunch of Kolwezi-Lobito rail freight corridor

Angola, DRC
Trafigura, Vecturis and Mota-Engil all set to restart Kolwezi-Lobito rail corridor

In Focus | DRC, United States
US disillusioned over failure to turn DR Congo away from Beijing

DRC
State firm competes with local and foreign groups on mining freight market

Central Africa
Why Trafigura has positioned itself on the Lobito-Kolwezi corridor

DRC
Trafigura execs in Lubumbashi to try to save Gécamines cobalt partnership

Spotlight | Africa
Glencore strives to overtake rival Trafigura on "responsible" cobalt

DRC
Trafigura's cobalt partnership threatened by top management changes at Gecamines