Mining · Free brief · DRAFT

Africa's Sulphuric Acid Squeeze 2026: 7 Key Findings

By AfriLens Intelligence · Data as of 14 October 2026 · Target keyword: sulphuric acid shortage Africa

Hormuz, China's acid export halt and Zambian permits have squeezed Africa's sulphuric acid supply. 7 cited findings for Copperbelt and SA buyers.

Why 2026 is a feedstock shock, not a price blip

[Section to be written from cited sources.]

Hormuz closed to dry bulk on 28 February (the Gulf supplied ~44% of seaborne sulphur)

China's acid export halt (4.6 Mt exported in 2025) and Russia's sulphur ban

Why sulphur supply can't respond to price (it is an oil and gas by-product)

The 7 findings at a glance

[Section to be written from cited sources.]

Prices remain ~55–70% above February, even after October cuts

Copperbelt acid prices roughly doubled (Kamoa-Kakula US$465/t in Q2 → ~US$900/t in Q3)

The DRC is the most exposed producer (~45% of copper on acid leaching, IEA)

Zambia is a policy swing factor

Who gains: integrated smelters

South Africa is exposed mainly through fertiliser

Logistics has become part of the price

The 2030 outlook in one paragraph (base case: partial normalisation; AfriLens judgement)

[Section to be written from cited sources.]

What corporates should do now

[Section to be written from cited sources.]

FAQ (Is Hormuz open? / When will China resume acid exports? / Which miners are most exposed?)

[Section to be written from cited sources.]

Next steps

• "Download the free executive summary, or get the full flagship with its scenario tables and verification appendix" → /sulphur
• Flagship: Africa's Sulphur and Sulphuric Acid Squeeze 2026
• Sector hub: Africa mining research

Information only; not investment, legal or procurement advice.