Iran War Disrupts Chemical Supply for DRC’s Cobalt and Copper Miners

Latest reports show that ongoing conflict in the Middle East, particularly Iran, is beginning to strain the supply of critical processing chemicals used by cobalt and copper miners in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Several shipments of essential leaching chemicals have either been withdrawn or cancelled by suppliers, forcing mining firms to ration usage and weigh potential production cuts as disruptions tied to key shipping routes intensify. 

The Central African nation is the leading cobalt producer globally and a major supplier of copper in Africa. The DRC plays a central role in global supply chains, supporting the manufacture of batteries for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. However, mining operations in the country rely heavily on sulfur-based inputs such as sodium metabisulfite and sulfuric acid, both of which are now facing logistical bottlenecks linked to the conflict. 

Just recently, an order of 2,000 metric tons of sodium metabisulfite (SMBS) was cancelled. This incident followed an earlier withdrawal of a shipment carrying about 1,800 tons of the same component. 

In response, companies are conserving chemical inventories and exploring contingency measures, including scaling back cobalt output or producing lower-grade material, though this is seen as a last resort. While the companies directly affected have not been officially identified, sources suggest that major operators such as CMOC, Glencore, and Eurasian Resources Group could be among those impacted. 

Requests for comment from these firms and government officials have largely gone unanswered. With uncertainty rising, buyers are also becoming more cautious. 

Firms are increasingly double-ordering supplies and tightening verification procedures, including physically inspecting warehouse inventories and confirming ownership documentation before committing to purchases. These supply challenges come on top of existing constraints, including the DRC’s recent suspension of cobalt exports and the introduction of shipment quotas, which have already tightened global availability. 

These developments represent a significant shift in how critical minerals reach global markets, moving toward strategic resource management frameworks that prioritize national control over international market dynamics. 

Although authorities have allowed delayed shipments from previous quarters to proceed within set deadlines, logistical hurdles persist. 

Meanwhile, transportation costs are rising sharply. Premiums for SMBS and sulfuric acid shipments routed through the Dar-es-Salaam port have nearly doubled since the conflict began. Longer transit times, vessel rerouting, and limited freight capacity are compounding delays, with delivery timelines stretching from three months to as long as six. 

Altogether, the situation is increasing the risk of chemical shortages, raising operating costs for miners, and potentially disrupting the global supply of key battery metals. 

For companies like Numa Numa Resources Inc. that have mining properties under development, the current bottlenecks created by the Iran conflict offer vital lessons on how they can plan their operations to minimize disruptions in case similar disturbances occur in the future. 

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