The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), represented by the Congolese Battery Council (CCB), in conjunction with CVMR Corporation (CVMR) of Toronto, Canada, under the auspices of the Congolese Battery Council (CCB), announces its collaboration on the launch of its strategic initiative for the construction of a critical minerals refinery in the DRC, an initiative of His Excellency, President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo.
Today, the two parties launched the first phase of this partnership to carry out detailed technical studies assessing the feasibility of building a state-of-the-art critical minerals refinery in the DRC. These studies will assess the best location as well as the necessary infrastructure, the financial aspects of the project and all the elements required for the construction and operation of the refinery, as well as the rehabilitation of the associated infrastructure. CVMR's total investment is expected to exceed US$1 billion.
CCB Director General Denis Lecouturier welcomed the distinguished guests, explaining that this CCB flagship initiative would "propel Congo into the future of global energy transformation". By adding value to the Congo's raw minerals - in the Congo - the DRC can expect to further entrench itself in the global strategic minerals value chain. Mr Lecouturier added that the DRC "has opted for a policy aimed at ensuring that Congolese minerals are value-added within the DRC, which is why the President created the CCB to facilitate this objective".
Jérôme Makimba, Chairman of the CCB's Board of Directors, expressed his satisfaction that the CCB was able to make rapid progress towards the objectives it was given when it was set up a year ago, to "transform the battery materials value chains in the President's vision, to include cobalt, nickel, lithium, manganese, graphite and copper, which will create a regional industrial diversification of Africa's economy, in Africa, for Africans".
As reported by the Secretary General of Industry, His Excellency Mr Julien Paluku Kahongya, Minister of Industry, welcomed the initiative, adding "We are making progress in implementing the transformation objectives of His Excellency President Tshisekedi by launching the technical studies today. CVMR, based in Toronto, is at the forefront of metals refining, and this will be the first step in extending the value chain in the DRC. The technical studies will take six to eight months, while the refinery will be built in two years."
Thanking the hosts and guests, Mr Kamran Khozan, President and CEO of CVMR, said: "We are here to be full partners with the Government of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Rather than exporting concentrates to global refineries, we intend to refine the minerals here in the DRC and export the finished product."
Mr Brian McCollow, Vice President of Global Business for CVMR USA: "We are here at the invitation of the Congolese Government. We thank the DRC and the Congolese Battery Council for their hospitality and look forward to developing this monumental and strategic joint venture that will mark the global transition to a clean energy economy."
The partners intend to start refining nickel and cobalt concentrates and increase volumes as well as diversify into other minerals as market demands increase. These targets are developed in line with Congo's global commitments to net zero emissions, will amplify Congo's role in sustainable global supply chains for critical minerals and place Congo at the heart of the energy future.
About the Conseil Congolais de la Batterie: The Conseil Congolais de la Batterie (CCB) is a public institution set up to establish, promote and manage value chains for the minerals used in the manufacture of batteries. New strategies are needed for the transition to clean and renewable energies, and the CCB places the Democratic Republic of Congo at the centre of this energy transition, with its large reserves of natural resources needed to manufacture various batteries and related materials. For more information, visit: www.ccb.cd
About CVMR Corporation: CVMR Corporation is a multinational company headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with global mining and refining operations. CVMR refines 36 different metals into various morphologies using its proprietary patented technology. In its 40-year operational history, CVMR is proud to have had no safety incidents or environmental hazards, thanks to its environmentally neutral and safe approach to metal refining, which uses no acid and has no impact on air, water or soil. For more information, visit: www.cvmr.ca