A massive lithium project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is set to change Africa's role in the global battery supply chain, as Zijin Mining Group Co. prepares to launch one of the world's largest lithium mines in the East African country.

The project, located in the Manono region in the country's southeast, has been in the works since 2023, when the Chinese mining giant acquired rights to the project. Once operational, it is expected to dramatically increase global lithium supply at a time when demand for electric vehicles and renewable energy storage is rising.

At full production, the mine is expected to produce approximately 130,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent per year, ranking it among the world's top lithium projects. According to industry estimates, the site could represent nearly 5% of global mined lithium output by 2028, demonstrating both its scale and strategic relevance.

The $1.4 billion project is also estimated to yield between 850,000 and 875,000 tons of lithium concentrate annually. Crucially, the project extends beyond extraction. A processing facility now under construction is expected to turn approximately 500,000 tonnes of this concentrate per year into lithium sulphate, an intermediate chemical required in battery manufacture.

The project's ownership reflects an increasingly common cooperation approach in African mining projects. Zijin Mining owns slightly under 55% of the operation, with the Congolese government holding a major interest, assuring national participation in the value chain.

However, Manono has legal issues. Legal proceedings have been initiated against the state by AVZ Minerals, an Australian entity. The company's license for the region was revoked by the Congolese government three years before the northern segment was granted to Zijin.

Furthermore, KoBold Metals, an artificial intelligence-driven exploration firm with backing from Bill Gates and Marc Andreessen, has formally indicated an interest in the southern portion of the territory.