EGC and Trafigura Launch First Copper and Cobalt Shipment via Lobito Atlantic Railway

Kinshasa, February 13, 2026 - Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) and Trafigura announced their first shipment of copper and cobalt to international markets through the Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR), marking a major step in creating a fast, efficient, and traceable mining supply chain from the DRC.

The rail corridor, spanning 1,300 kilometers from the deep-water port of Lobito in Angola to the Congolese border at Luau, with an additional 450 kilometers to Kolwezi in the Copperbelt, is now the shortest route from Kolwezi to an African port, reducing inland transit time to approximately seven days.

Eric Kalala, CEO of EGC, said the shipment reflects progress toward an ethical, traceable, and transparent supply of large-scale artisanal cobalt and copper, facilitated by ARECOMS and the Congolese Ministry of Mines. “The copper shipment is initially destined for the United States, reflecting the strategic partnership between the DRC and the U.S., supported by Gécamines and FOMIN,” he added.

Franck Rogozin, Trafigura’s Head of Metals and Minerals in Africa, emphasized that the partnership strengthens the resilience of the global supply of critical metals. “This collaboration facilitates the responsible transport of copper and cobalt to global markets via the most efficient route, highlighting the importance of strong producer-trader partnerships,” he stated.

Nicholas Fournier, CEO of LAR, described the railway as a regional asset and a catalyst for positioning Angola and the DRC as key suppliers of metals and minerals vital for decarbonization, digitalization, and industrialization.

Owned by Trafigura, Mota-Engil, and Vecturis, LAR recently secured $753 million in financing from the International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) for rehabilitation and expansion of the network.

Under existing agreements, Trafigura handles the marketing of cobalt supplied by EGC, which purchases minerals from artisanal producers across the DRC.

About the partners:

Trafigura: A leading employee-owned commodities group operating in over 150 countries, with 14,500 employees. Its portfolio spans metals, minerals, oil, gas, electricity, and renewable energy projects.

EGC: A subsidiary of Gécamines, established in 2019, with an exclusive mandate to purchase, process, and market strategic minerals like cobalt, coltan, and germanium from artisanal mining.

Lobito Atlantic Railway (LAR): Operates a 1,300 km line connecting Lobito port to Luau, plus a 450 km section to Kolwezi, under a 30-year concession. It collaborates with the DRC’s SNCC to modernize and operate the railway section within the DRC.

This milestone positions the DRC as a strategic supplier of critical metals, reinforcing ethical mining standards and enhancing regional export infrastructure.