China's export restrictions on some germanium products will increase the value of the material used in semiconductors, according to Gecamines, the state-owned mining company of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
Export restrictions on some gallium and germanium products announced by China earlier this week for national security reasons have raised concerns among global defense and semiconductor companies.
However, it is seen as an opportunity for the DRC, which is preparing to set up a new germanium production unit.
The director of Gecamines, Guy Robert Lukama, told Western media that his company intends to step in to produce germanium as a replacement for the unavailable material on the market.
"We will produce germanium that's unavailable for the market," Lukama said.
In addition to being the world's leading supplier of cobalt and Africa's largest copper producer, the DRC has plans to explore minerals required to facilitate the global transition to a low-carbon economy. This includes resources like lithium, tin, and rare earths.
Beijing's export curbs on germanium and gallium, which come into effect on August 1, may potentially disrupt global supply chains since China predominantly controls the production of these valuable minerals used in computer chips, IR technology, fiber optic cables and solar panels.
According to Western media, international minerals and metals producer Nyrstar has revealed that it is considering germanium and gallium mining projects in Australia, Europe and the United States in the wake of the Chinese restrictions.
Meanwhile, Canadian-based Teck Resources, the largest producer of germanium in North America, said China's germanium export restrictions will not affect its production levels of the mineral.