Congo tax agency seals Glencore mine offices in payment dispute

Tax authorities in the Democratic Republic of Congo sealed off offices belonging to a Glencore Plc-owned copper mine, escalating a row over payments allegedly owed to the state.

The government agency, known by its French acronym DGI, shut Kamoto Copper Co.’s offices in the city of Kolwezi on Thursday, according to people familiar with the matter. The raid has not affected production at Kamoto’s nearby mines and processing facilities, one of the people said. 

Congo is the world’s second-largest producer of copper and number one for cobalt, with Kamoto being one of its largest producers of both metals. Copper prices surged more than 40% last year and have extended gains in 2026 as the AI boom and transition to clean energy bolstered the demand outlook.

The tax body alleges that the Swiss commodity trading giant’s unit owes billions of dollars, two of the people said, asking not the be named discussing sensitive issues. The DGI intervened following unsuccessful settlement talks with the company, the person said.

A spokesperson for Glencore said the company disputes the DGI’s claims and continues to engage with the authorities. 

Glencore holds a 70% stake in Kamoto, which produced about 190,000 tons of the copper last year and aims to reach annual output of 300,000 tons. 

Orion CMC – an investment vehicle with backing from the state-owned US International Development Finance Corp. – announced a preliminary deal in February to buy 40% of Glencore’s interest in Kamoto and a second Congolese copper-cobalt mine. That transaction is yet to close.

Congo’s government and a state-owned company control the remaining 30% of Kamoto.