USTDA Backs Pre-Feasibility Study for Buenassa Copper-Cobalt Refinery in the DRC

According to the U.S. Trade and Development Agency on September 23, USTDA has signed an agreement with Buenassa Resources to fund a pre-feasibility study for a copper and cobalt refinery in Lualaba Province, Democratic Republic of Congo.

The study will assess potential feedstock suppliers, develop the technical design of the refinery, and evaluate the project’s economic and financial viability. Buenassa previously said Phase I is designed to produce 30,000 tonnes per year of LME-grade copper cathode and 5,000 tonnes per year of contained cobalt, with cobalt output potentially including high-purity metal and cobalt sulfate. Phase II would raise annual capacity to 120,000 tonnes of copper and 20,000 tonnes of contained cobalt.

USTDA’s involvement provides further U.S. institutional support for the project and could help advance local copper and cobalt processing in the DRC while strengthening links with Western critical mineral supply chains.