Congo state miner Gecamines announces first germanium exports to Europe

Umicore SA

14/10/2024 19:57

JOHANNESBURG, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Democratic Republic of
Congo's state miner Gecamines said on Monday it will ship for
the first time germanium concentrates to Europe from its Big
Hill tailings dump.
    The concentrates, made in a new plant in the mining hub of
Lubumbashi, will be shipped to Umicore  UMI.BR  in Belgium for
further processing and use in high-tech applications, Gecamines
said in a statement.
    "This inaugural shipment of germanium confirms our ambition,
nurtured over several years, to make Congo a global hub for
strategic metals," Gecamines chairman Robert Lukama said in the
statement.
    Umicore signed a deal with Gecamines for the concentrates in
May, helping the new plant, which processes waste material from
the tailings site, to ramp up output.
    The agreement also helps Umicore diversify its sources of
supply for germanium, a rare mineral used in chipmaking,
infrared technology, fibre optic cables and solar cells.

 (Reporting by Felix Njini)
 ((Felix.Njini@ThomsonReuters.com; Reuters Messaging:
Felix.Njini@ThomsonReuters.com))