Zambia lets Chambishi and Mopani resume limited acid exports to Congo

Zambia has authorised two of its copper smelters to restart limited exports of sulphuric acid to the Democratic Republic of Congo, easing restrictions that had deepened a chemical shortage across the Copperbelt, according to reports published on 18 May.

Commerce Minister Chipoka Mulenga told Reuters that Chambishi Copper Smelter and Mopani Copper Mines had been cleared to ship acid to Congo, with only limited quantities to be approved at first so that Zambian mines are not left short again. "We allowed them to export because local stocks have risen," Mulenga said, as reported by Business Insider Africa.

Documents cited in the reports also showed that chemical trader Alliswell Investment Limited received permission to export 5,000 tonnes of acid.

Why acid matters

Zambia produces about 2 million tonnes of sulphuric acid a year, mainly as a by-product of smelting copper concentrate. The acid is essential for leaching copper and cobalt from oxide ores, a process used widely in both countries. Congolese producers depend heavily on imports, and restrictions on Zambian supply, first imposed last September and tightened with a permit requirement in April, had left them exposed.

The shortage was worsened by the conflict in the Middle East, which disrupted global sulphur markets, and by export curbs elsewhere. Earlier in 2026 some copper and cobalt miners in Congo cut chemical use or considered reducing output after suppliers cancelled or delayed deliveries.

A short window

The relief may prove temporary. Chambishi and Mopani were both expected to undergo extended maintenance shutdowns during 2026, and Konkola Copper Mines was preparing to take its Nchanga smelter offline, all of which would cut acid output again during the middle of the year. Zambian regulators have indicated they will continue to prioritise the domestic market.

For the region, the episode illustrates how intertwined the two copperbelts have become. Zambia's smelters rely partly on concentrate from Congo, while Congo's hydrometallurgical plants rely partly on Zambian acid. Policy moves in either capital now ripple quickly across the border.

For Zambian smelters, higher acid prices also offer a revenue opportunity. First Quantum Minerals has said that rising regional prices and local demand could allow its expanded Kansanshi smelter to sell surplus acid.

Sources

• Business Insider Africa: Zambia resumes sulphuric acid exports to DR Congo as copper and cobalt demand rises, 18 May 2026
• Business Day (Reuters): Zambia smelter shutdowns threaten copper output and sulphuric acid supply, 20 Apr 2026