DRC’s Gécamines to Ship First Germanium Concentrates Amid Global Supply Shortage

Gécamines Targets Germanium Market as Global Supply Tightens
Gécamines, the state-owned mining company of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is set to ship its first-ever germanium concentrates to Belgian metal refiner Umicore. This shipment arrives at a critical juncture as the global supply of germanium faces severe constraints following export restrictions by China, the world’s leading producer. With germanium in high demand for high-tech applications like semiconductors, fiber optics, and infrared optics, the partnership between Gécamines and Umicore is poised to help stabilize the market.

Big Hill Tailings as a Rich Source of Germanium
The germanium concentrates are sourced from the Big Hill tailings in Lubumbashi, DRC, which contain around 10 million tonnes of metal slag, offering a significant reserve of recoverable metals, including zinc, silver, cobalt, copper, and germanium. Gécamines’ subsidiary, STL, recently launched a hydrometallurgical plant in Lubumbashi to process these tailings efficiently. This strategic move enhances the DRC’s position as a potential key supplier in the global germanium market.

China’s Export Restrictions Fuel Global Supply Crunch
The germanium market has been under pressure since China introduced export controls in August 2023, which resulted in a sharp decline in the country’s germanium exports. Between January and July 2024, China’s germanium exports dropped by 56%, exacerbating the global shortage. As a result, prices for germanium surged, underscoring the urgency for alternative sources to meet the rising demand. Gécamines’ shipment to Umicore signals a new opportunity to diversify global germanium supply chains and reduce dependency on China.

A Strategic Partnership to Secure Future Supply
The agreement between Gécamines and Umicore, formalized in May 2024, not only ensures a steady supply of germanium concentrates but also strengthens technological collaboration. By processing these concentrates into high-tech products, Umicore will support industries that rely heavily on germanium, while Gécamines expands its role in the critical minerals sector. This partnership could play a pivotal role in alleviating the ongoing supply crunch and positioning the DRC as a major player in the global minerals market.