Where does CMOC Group (China Molybdenum) source its components?
China. Supply chain mapped to 34 inputs across 5 countries.
Yes. CMOC Group (China Molybdenum) is organized in China, a covered nation under the FEOC rules, which makes it a foreign entity of concern for IRA clean-energy tax credit purposes. It is not named on any of the 3 federal restricted-party lists screened for this record (DOD Section 1260H, BIS Entity List, OFAC SDN List). Is CMOC Group (China Molybdenum) a Foreign Entity of Concern?
Upstream sourcing exposure
16 in covered nations - 14 elevated, of 34 nodes.
Where inputs are mined and refined. Not a FEOC determination for the company -- see the federal list screening above.
Refining chokepoint
4 of 8 processing/refining steps in covered nations
Sourcing Concentration by Country
Sourcing risk across the graph
Where each input is mined or refined. Not a FEOC determination for the company.
Legend
Node Types
Sourcing risk
Relationships
Every mapped input in the CMOC Group (China Molybdenum) supply chain
34 nodes, grouped by supply-chain tier. Sourcing risk describes where an input is mined or refined; it is not a FEOC determination for CMOC Group (China Molybdenum).
Producer (1)
| Input | Origin | Sourcing risk | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| CMOC Group (China Molybdenum)Headquarters: Luanchuan County, Luoyang, Henan, China | China | Covered nation | Chinese-controlled diversified critical-minerals producer/refiner: world's #1 cobalt, #2 niobium, top-8 copper, leading Mo/W producer. Vertically integrated mine-to-refine-to-trade. FEOC covered entity (Chinese ownership/control). |
Supplier (1)
| Input | Origin | Sourcing risk | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sulfuric Acid (leach/beneficiation reagent)Regional Copperbelt supply (Zambia/DRC smelters + imports) | Democratic Republic Of Congo | Elevated sourcing risk | Key reagent for copper atmospheric leaching and phosphate processing. Sourced regionally in the Copperbelt; mixed origin -> review. |
Component (7)
| Input | Origin | Sourcing risk | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper Cathode (Cu)TFM & KFM SX-EW plants, Katanga, DRC | Democratic Republic Of Congo | Elevated sourcing risk | TFM-1 cathode brand LME-listed Mar 2026, ~270kt/yr capacity. CMOC exported ~747kt Cu in 2025 (~22% of DRC copper exports). Produced via atmospheric leach + solvent extraction + electrowinning. China-controlled ownership -> flagged. |
| Cobalt Hydroxide (Co(OH)2)TFM & KFM hydromet plants, DRC | Democratic Republic Of Congo | Elevated sourcing risk | Intermediate cobalt product (30-40% Co) via SO2 leach + hydrometallurgy. CMOC world's #1 cobalt miner (~114kt in 2024). Standard traded feedstock shipped to China for refining. |
| Ferromolybdenum / Molybdenum OxideLuanchuan smelting/roasting plants, Henan, China | China | Covered nation | 25kt/yr ferromolybdenum smelting + 40kt/yr Mo oxide roasting capacity, largest in China. Steel-alloying product. China-mined and China-refined -> flagged. |
| Ammonium Paratungstate (APT) / Tungsten ConcentrateLuanchuan, Henan, China | China | Covered nation | APT is the key intermediate for all downstream tungsten products (>75% of W first converted to APT). CMOC has China's #2 tungsten reserves. China-mined + China-refined -> flagged (tungsten is a US-restricted critical mineral, China-dominated). |
| Ferroniobium (FeNb)Catalão/Ouvidor, Goiás, Brazil | Brazil | Elevated sourcing risk | CMOC is world's #2 niobium producer (~10.3kt in 2025). Mined AND refined to FeNb in Brazil (allied country) but owned/controlled by Chinese CMOC -> ownership makes FEOC status uncertain despite allied geography. |
| Phosphate Fertilizer (MAP/DAP/TSP)Catalão & Cubatão, Brazil | Brazil | No known risk factor | Brazil's #2 phosphate fertilizer producer. Agricultural product (not a battery/defense critical mineral); Brazil-mined and Brazil-processed. Marked clean on geography though Chinese-owned. |
| Gold DoréAurizona Mine, Maranhão, Brazil | Brazil | No known risk factor | Acquired Aurizona/RDM/Bahia gold complex from Equinox Gold (Jan 2026, $1.015B) plus Lumina Gold. Brazil-mined gold. Precious metal, allied geography -> clean on geography. |
Processing and refining (8)
| Input | Origin | Sourcing risk | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| SX-EW Copper Refinery (TFM/KFM)Tenke Fungurume & Kisanfu processing plants, DRC | Democratic Republic Of Congo | Elevated sourcing risk | On-site solvent-extraction electrowinning producing LME-grade copper cathode in DRC. China-controlled -> flagged. Rare case of in-DRC refining (not China). |
| Cobalt Hydromet Plant (TFM/KFM)TFM/KFM hydrometallurgy circuits, DRC | Democratic Republic Of Congo | Elevated sourcing risk | SO2 leach + purification + precipitation producing cobalt hydroxide intermediate in DRC. Chinese-controlled -> flagged. |
| Chinese Cobalt Refinery (sulfate/metal)Jiangxi / Zhejiang, China | China | Covered nation | THE FEOC chokepoint: converts DRC cobalt hydroxide into battery-grade cobalt sulfate and refined cobalt metal. China controls ~70%+ of global cobalt refining. |
| Chinese pCAM / Cathode RefinerChina | China | Covered nation | Co-precipitates cobalt/nickel/manganese sulfates into pCAM, then calcines with lithium into NMC cathode. China-dominated midstream -> flagged. |
| Molybdenum Roaster / FeMo SmelterLuanchuan, Henan, China | China | Covered nation | Roasts molybdenite to Mo oxide (40kt/yr) and smelts ferromolybdenum (25kt/yr). China-refined -> flagged. |
| Tungsten APT RefineryHenan, China | China | Covered nation | Converts tungsten concentrate to ammonium paratungstate (APT). China controls the tungsten midstream (US-restricted critical mineral) -> flagged. |
| Ferroniobium Plant (Catalão)Catalão, Goiás, Brazil | Brazil | Elevated sourcing risk | Aluminothermic reduction of pyrochlore concentrate to ferroniobium in Brazil. Allied geography but Chinese-owned -> review. |
| Phosphate Fertilizer ComplexCatalão & Cubatão, Brazil | Brazil | No known risk factor | Processes apatite ore + sulfuric acid into MAP/DAP/TSP fertilizers in Brazil. Non-critical-mineral end product, allied geography -> clean. |
Raw material (10)
| Input | Origin | Sourcing risk | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery-Grade Cobalt Sulfate (CoSO4)Chinese hydrometallurgical refineries (Jiangxi/Zhejiang) | China | Covered nation | Cobalt hydroxide refined into battery-grade cobalt sulfate in China. China controls ~70%+ of global cobalt refining. Core FEOC chokepoint for NMC cathode battery chain. |
| Cathode Precursor (pCAM, NMC hydroxide)Chinese precursor plants (e.g. Huayou-type integration) | China | Covered nation | Cobalt sulfate + nickel/manganese sulfate co-precipitated into NMC precursor. China dominates pCAM production. Downstream FEOC-flagged tier of the EV battery supply chain. |
| NMC Cathode Active Material (CAM)Chinese cathode plants | China | Covered nation | pCAM + lithium calcined into finished NMC cathode active material for Li-ion cells. China-refined -> flagged; the end-use FEOC-sensitive battery material fed by CMOC cobalt. |
| Refined Cobalt MetalChinese refineries | China | Covered nation | Alternative refined product from cobalt hydroxide: electro-refined cobalt metal for superalloys/defense (aerospace turbine blades, magnets). China-refined -> flagged. |
| Copper-Cobalt Ore (oxide/sulfide)Central African Copperbelt, Katanga, DRC | Democratic Republic Of Congo | Elevated sourcing risk | Poly-metallic Cu-Co ore; cobalt is a byproduct of copper mining. Extracted at CMOC's DRC mines. China-controlled extraction -> flagged. |
| Molybdenite / Molybdenum-Tungsten OreSandaozhuang deposit, Luanchuan, Henan | China | Covered nation | CMOC's flagship China orebody: largest Mo reserves + 2nd-largest W reserves in China. Source ore for both ferromolybdenum and APT streams. |
| Pyrochlore / Phosphate OreCatalão/Ouvidor carbonatite, Goiás, Brazil | Brazil | Elevated sourcing risk | Carbonatite ore hosting both pyrochlore (Nb) and apatite (phosphate). Brazil-mined but Chinese-owned. Niobium is a defense critical mineral -> review given ownership. |
| Nickel Sulfate (NiSO4)Chinese/Indonesian-Chinese refineries | China | Covered nation | Co-input with cobalt sulfate for NMC precursor. Nickel largely refined in China / Chinese-controlled Indonesian HPAL. China-refined -> flagged. |
| Manganese Sulfate (MnSO4)Chinese refineries | China | Covered nation | Third metal sulfate input to NMC precursor. High-purity manganese sulfate almost entirely refined in China -> flagged. |
| Lithium Carbonate / HydroxideChinese lithium refineries | China | Covered nation | Lithium input to convert pCAM into finished cathode. China dominates lithium chemical refining -> flagged. (CMOC partner CATL holds stake in KFM cobalt mine.) |
Mine and extraction (5)
| Input | Origin | Sourcing risk | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenke Fungurume Mine (TFM)Tenke Fungurume, Lualaba, DRC | Democratic Republic Of Congo | Elevated sourcing risk | CMOC 80% stake (bought from Freeport 2016, $2.65B w/ Chinese state-bank loans). ~22.5kt/yr cobalt + major copper. Chinese-controlled DRC mine -> flagged. |
| Kisanfu Mine (KFM)Kisanfu, Lualaba, DRC | Democratic Republic Of Congo | Elevated sourcing risk | CMOC ~71.25% (CATL holds ~25%). World's largest cobalt mine by output (~25.5kt/yr). $1.08B Phase 2 expansion (2027). Chinese-controlled -> flagged. |
| Sandaozhuang Mo-W MineLuanchuan County, Luoyang, Henan, China | China | Covered nation | Wholly-owned open-pit; largest proven Mo reserves + 2nd-largest W reserves in China. Source of Mo and W ore. China -> flagged. |
| Catalão Niobium-Phosphate Mine (NML/NNM)Catalão/Ouvidor, Goiás, Brazil | Brazil | Elevated sourcing risk | CMOC 100% (acquired from Anglo American 2016). One of only two major Nb mines globally (with CBMM Araxá). Brazil-mined, Chinese-owned -> review. |
| Aurizona Gold MineGodofredo Viana, Maranhão, Brazil | Brazil | No known risk factor | Open-pit + underground gold mine acquired from Equinox Gold Jan 2026. Brazil-mined -> clean on geography. |
Logistics (2)
| Input | Origin | Sourcing risk | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| IXM Metals TradingHQ Geneva, Switzerland; offices in 12 countries | Switzerland | Elevated sourcing risk | CMOC's wholly-owned trading arm (fully acquired 2019), world's #3 base-metals trader. Markets entire TFM/KFM copper and cobalt output. Chinese-controlled distribution channel -> flagged. |
| Lobito / Indian Ocean Export CorridorKatanga (DRC) -> Lobito port (Angola) / Dar es Salaam & Durban routes | Angola | Elevated sourcing risk | Physical export logistics for DRC copper/cobalt. Lobito rail cuts transit to 5-8 days vs 30-36. Contested US-vs-China corridor -> review (mixed control). |
Material flow (45 relationships)
- CMOC Group (China Molybdenum) manufactures Copper Cathode (Cu) (Copper cathode)
- CMOC Group (China Molybdenum) manufactures Cobalt Hydroxide (Co(OH)2) (Cobalt hydroxide)
- CMOC Group (China Molybdenum) manufactures Ferromolybdenum / Molybdenum Oxide (Ferromolybdenum)
- CMOC Group (China Molybdenum) manufactures Ammonium Paratungstate (APT) / Tungsten Concentrate (Tungsten APT)
- CMOC Group (China Molybdenum) manufactures Ferroniobium (FeNb) (Ferroniobium)
- CMOC Group (China Molybdenum) manufactures Phosphate Fertilizer (MAP/DAP/TSP) (Phosphate fertilizer)
- CMOC Group (China Molybdenum) manufactures Gold Doré (Gold doré)
- Cobalt Hydroxide (Co(OH)2) refines Battery-Grade Cobalt Sulfate (CoSO4) (Cobalt hydroxide -> cobalt sulfate)
- Cobalt Hydroxide (Co(OH)2) refines Refined Cobalt Metal (Cobalt hydroxide -> cobalt metal)
- Battery-Grade Cobalt Sulfate (CoSO4) supplies Cathode Precursor (pCAM, NMC hydroxide) (Cobalt sulfate)
- Cathode Precursor (pCAM, NMC hydroxide) supplies NMC Cathode Active Material (CAM) (NMC precursor)
- Cathode Precursor (pCAM, NMC hydroxide) sources from Nickel Sulfate (NiSO4) (Nickel sulfate)
- Cathode Precursor (pCAM, NMC hydroxide) sources from Manganese Sulfate (MnSO4) (Manganese sulfate)
- NMC Cathode Active Material (CAM) sources from Lithium Carbonate / Hydroxide (Lithium carbonate/hydroxide)
- Copper Cathode (Cu) sources from Copper-Cobalt Ore (oxide/sulfide) (Copper-cobalt ore)
- Cobalt Hydroxide (Co(OH)2) sources from Copper-Cobalt Ore (oxide/sulfide) (Copper-cobalt ore (cobalt byproduct))
- Ferromolybdenum / Molybdenum Oxide sources from Molybdenite / Molybdenum-Tungsten Ore (Molybdenum ore)
- Ammonium Paratungstate (APT) / Tungsten Concentrate sources from Molybdenite / Molybdenum-Tungsten Ore (Tungsten ore (Mo-W deposit))
- Ferroniobium (FeNb) sources from Pyrochlore / Phosphate Ore (Pyrochlore ore)
- Phosphate Fertilizer (MAP/DAP/TSP) sources from Pyrochlore / Phosphate Ore (Phosphate/apatite ore)
- Copper-Cobalt Ore (oxide/sulfide) sources from Tenke Fungurume Mine (TFM) (Cu-Co ore extraction)
- Copper-Cobalt Ore (oxide/sulfide) sources from Kisanfu Mine (KFM) (Cu-Co ore extraction)
- Molybdenite / Molybdenum-Tungsten Ore sources from Sandaozhuang Mo-W Mine (Mo-W ore extraction)
- Pyrochlore / Phosphate Ore sources from Catalão Niobium-Phosphate Mine (NML/NNM) (Pyrochlore/apatite extraction)
- Gold Doré sources from Aurizona Gold Mine (Gold ore extraction)
- Tenke Fungurume Mine (TFM) refines SX-EW Copper Refinery (TFM/KFM) (Ore -> copper cathode (SX-EW))
- Kisanfu Mine (KFM) refines SX-EW Copper Refinery (TFM/KFM) (Ore -> copper cathode (SX-EW))
- Tenke Fungurume Mine (TFM) refines Cobalt Hydromet Plant (TFM/KFM) (Ore -> cobalt hydroxide)
- Kisanfu Mine (KFM) refines Cobalt Hydromet Plant (TFM/KFM) (Ore -> cobalt hydroxide)
- SX-EW Copper Refinery (TFM/KFM) refines Copper Cathode (Cu) (Copper cathode)
- Cobalt Hydromet Plant (TFM/KFM) refines Cobalt Hydroxide (Co(OH)2) (Cobalt hydroxide)
- Battery-Grade Cobalt Sulfate (CoSO4) refines Chinese Cobalt Refinery (sulfate/metal) (Hydroxide -> sulfate (China chokepoint))
- Refined Cobalt Metal refines Chinese Cobalt Refinery (sulfate/metal) (Hydroxide -> cobalt metal (China chokepoint))
- Cathode Precursor (pCAM, NMC hydroxide) refines Chinese pCAM / Cathode Refiner (Sulfates -> pCAM)
- NMC Cathode Active Material (CAM) refines Chinese pCAM / Cathode Refiner (pCAM + Li -> NMC cathode)
- Ferromolybdenum / Molybdenum Oxide refines Molybdenum Roaster / FeMo Smelter (Molybdenite -> FeMo/Mo oxide)
- Ammonium Paratungstate (APT) / Tungsten Concentrate refines Tungsten APT Refinery (W concentrate -> APT)
- Ferroniobium (FeNb) refines Ferroniobium Plant (Catalão) (Pyrochlore -> ferroniobium)
- Phosphate Fertilizer (MAP/DAP/TSP) refines Phosphate Fertilizer Complex (Apatite -> fertilizer)
- Copper Cathode (Cu) supplies IXM Metals Trading (Copper marketing/trading)
- Cobalt Hydroxide (Co(OH)2) supplies IXM Metals Trading (Cobalt marketing/trading)
- Copper Cathode (Cu) supplies Lobito / Indian Ocean Export Corridor (Physical export logistics)
- Cobalt Hydroxide (Co(OH)2) supplies Lobito / Indian Ocean Export Corridor (Physical export logistics)
- SX-EW Copper Refinery (TFM/KFM) sources from Sulfuric Acid (leach/beneficiation reagent) (Sulfuric acid (leach reagent))
- Phosphate Fertilizer Complex sources from Sulfuric Acid (leach/beneficiation reagent) (Sulfuric acid (fertilizer reagent))
Sources and methodology
Research-based supply-chain map compiled from public sources - not an audited bill of materials. Tiers reflect the standard industry structure for this product. Sourcing risk on a node describes where that input is typically mined or refined; it is not a FEOC determination for CMOC Group (China Molybdenum), and it is not a screening result for the node itself unless a federal listing is cited against it. Verify against primary documentation before making a compliance determination.
Secondary sources (22) - trade press, analysts, reference works
- en.cmoc.com en.cmoc.com/html/AboutUs/Introduce/
- en.cmoc.com en.cmoc.com/html/Business/
- en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CMOC_Group_Limited
- en.cmoc.com en.cmoc.com/html/Business/Congo-Cu-Co/
- en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenke_Fungurume_Mine
- nsenergybusiness.com nsenergybusiness.com/projects/tenke-fungurume-copper-cobalt-mine/
- copperbeltkatangamining.com copperbeltkatangamining.com/cmoc-expands-drc-kisanfu-mine-with-1-08b-investment/
- bloomberg.com bloomberg.com/features/2025-congo-china-cobalt/
- en.cmoc.com en.cmoc.com/html/Business/BRA-Nb-P/
- caixinglobal.com caixinglobal.com/2025-12-18/in-depth-how-a-chinese-mining-giant-learned-to-win-in-brazil-102394659.html
- geopoliticalmining.com geopoliticalmining.com/brazil-niobium-industry/
- en.cmoc.com en.cmoc.com/html/Business/China-Mo-W/
- metalnomist.com metalnomist.com/2026/07/cmoc-copper-output-rises-as-drc-mines.html
- en.cmoc.com en.cmoc.com/html/Business/IXM/
- discoveryalert.com.au discoveryalert.com.au/drc-us-cobalt-supply-chain-china-refining-2026/
- alloyindex.com alloyindex.com/news/cobalt-sulfate-supply-2025-precursors-hydroxide-pipeline-and-drc-sea-logistics/
- resourcetrade.earth resourcetrade.earth/publications/critical-metals-ev-batteries
- en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhejiang_Huayou_Cobalt
- benchmarkminerals.com benchmarkminerals.com/glossary/what-is-cobalt
- bankable.africa bankable.africa/en/mines/0704-2702-corridor-d-exportation-de-la-rdc-zijin-et-cmoc-sur-un-projet-concurrent-a-lobito
- en.cmoc.com en.cmoc.com/html/2025/News_0423/77.html
- en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammonium_paratungstate
Common questions
- Where does CMOC Group (China Molybdenum) source the inputs in this product?
- This map traces 34 inputs across 5 countries, including 13 mines and refiners. It is compiled from public sources and is not an audited bill of materials.
- How much of the CMOC Group (China Molybdenum) supply chain sits in a covered nation?
- 16 of 34 mapped inputs are sited in a covered nation (China, Russia, Iran or North Korea) or named on a federal restricted-party list. A further 14 carry elevated sourcing risk without either basis.
- Is CMOC Group (China Molybdenum) itself a Foreign Entity of Concern?
- Yes. CMOC Group (China Molybdenum) is organized in China, a covered nation under the FEOC rules, which makes it a foreign entity of concern for IRA clean-energy tax credit purposes. It is not named on any of the 3 federal restricted-party lists screened for this record (DOD Section 1260H, BIS Entity List, OFAC SDN List). Sourcing risk in this map describes where inputs are mined and refined and is a separate question from the company's own federal screening.
