Production of electric batteries: the DRC wants to strengthen its deal with the USA
At the invitation of the Biden administration, the Minister of Industry, Julien Paluku, and his finance colleague, Nicolas Kazadi, exchanged, on Friday April 14, with the American Under-Secretary of State for the Economy, energy and environment, José W. Fernandez.
Indeed, the two parties assessed the collaboration agreement, signed last December in Washington, between the Congolese and Zambian authorities on the establishment of a productive supply chain of electric vehicle batteries.
On this subject, discussions are underway on the launch of the prefeasibility study for the installation of the first factory of electric battery precursors in Haut-Katanga.
This meeting in Washington DC between the Congolese and American authorities, the second on the same subject, after the more informal one in Cape Town (South Africa), during the Indaba Mining forum, made it possible to relaunch the debate on a vital project for the DRC.
For some analysts, the reaffirmation of the Biden administration's "firm determination" to really support the materialization of this unprecedented project is another step in the right direction. 
On the other hand, others believe that the project has already been launched with the pre-feasibility study of the installation of the first manufacturing plant for precursors of electric batteries in the copper capital, and more room must be given to action than in political discourse.
During the interview between Congolese and American officials, it was a question of evaluating the memorandum of understanding for collaboration signed in Washington between the DRC, which produces 70% of the world's cobalt, and Zambia, the world's sixth largest copper producer and second cobalt in Africa, on electric vehicle battery value chains.
As part of this agreement, the United States of America has made a commitment to support the project.
The objective of the agreement was to set up a productive supply chain, from the mine to the assembly line, while respecting international standards.
In building a value-added and sustainable industry in Africa, the U.S. private sector remains an important partner, both for technical knowledge and financing and business development, every step of the way.
Electric battery producing country
To set up its first electric battery manufacturing plant, the DRC embarked on a major charm operation to find key partners.
On the discussion table, the Congolese authorities have not only bet on the abundant cobalt resources and hydroelectric energy (a potential of more than 100,000 MW).
Instead, the country has positioned itself as a “low-cost, low-emission producer of lithium-ion battery cathode material precursors.”
In addition, the DRC also relied on a study by Bloomberg which estimates that the construction of a 10,000 ton cathode precursor plant would require an envelope of 39 million dollars on national territory, whereas the same construction would cost three times as much in the United States of America.
According to the study, the same factory built in China and Poland will cost US$112 million and US$65 million respectively.
Huge stakes
According to the expert, D. Yengebuta, everything starts from a projection.
By 2040, the sale of electric cars will surpass that of gasoline-powered vehicles.
To date, the major power most involved is China, whose companies are expected to produce more than half of the world's lithium production.
However, the DRC holds the largest untapped lithium reserves in the world, and China virtually controls the Congolese mining sector.
“Circumstances combine to present the country, the DRC, as a key player, but we are talking about a poor country that plays in the big leagues.
What would be its leeway, especially since it does not master much of this new technology? “says the expert.
The fear, he continues, is that the country could get bogged down in a war of hegemony between the powerful of the world.
“We can already see it with copper and cobalt. Investments in this sector are more profitable for foreign countries, with China in the lead”.
With the only difference that the DRC wants to become a country producing electric batteries, but there too, obstacles persist, in particular the heavy financing which must come from outside, the delay in lithium research, the road system in a disastrous state, energy deficit, etc.
In short, nothing is won yet, concludes the expert.
mediacongo
Food for thought - JAG
Fingers
Cheers
Frank
