DRC miner to make first germanium concentrates shipment

: Metals
24/10/16

The Democratic Republic of Congo's state-owned miner Gecamines is set to make its first export shipment of germanium concentrates, the company said on 14 October.

Gecamines will export the concentrates to Belgian metals processor Umicore, which will refine them into downstream products. The concentrates originate from Gecamines' Big Hill tailings site in Lubumbashi and were initially recycled and processed by the mining firm's subsidiary STL at its new hydrometallurgical plant, located in the same area.

Umicore signed a technological and commercial partnership with STL and Gecamines in May to support the ramp-up of germanium recycling at STL and secure an offtake agreement for the Belgian company.

The Big Hill tailings site hosts around 10mn t of metal slag from which germanium can be recovered alongside other metals including zinc, silver, cobalt and copper.

Consumers of germanium, which is a critical mineral for multiple high-tech industries, are urgently seeking alternative sources for the material after its main producer China implemented export controls in August 2023.

China's germanium exports fell by 56pc in January-July 2024 to 15,277kg.

China subsequently embarked on a national stockpiling purchase for germanium this year. When combined with reduced feedstock supplies from Chinese zinc and lead mines and the export controls, this has caused global availability of germanium to become extremely tight and caused the price to spike sharply over the summer period.

The Argus assessment for germanium metal min 99.999pc cif main airport Europe rose by 71pc from the end of May to $2,900-3,100/kg on 15 October. The assessment has increased by 124pc since China's export controls were first announced in July 2023. Germanium dioxide prices have climbed at a similar rate.

By Ronan Murphy

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