I just saw something that probably not many are considering in their market analyses. The floods in Angola recently caused quite serious damage in the Lobito Corridor, and this is no minor detail for those following metals and the global supply chain.

In case you didn't know, the Lobito Corridor is literally one of the most important routes for transporting copper and cobalt from the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the Atlantic port. That is, we are talking about critical minerals for everything related to technology and renewable energy. Well, according to reports from April 13th, the railways near the Halo River between Cubal and Cahemba suffered severe damage after heavy rains. Lobito Atlantic Railway had to suspend operations in those sections.

What’s interesting is that Angola is not just a transit point; it is a key part of the infrastructure. With the suspension of railway traffic in the Lobito Corridor, the export of these minerals is hindered, directly affecting prices and availability in global markets. Infrastructure near the Cavaco River was also impacted.

This corridor is supported by American and European partners, so it’s not something that can be fixed overnight. Meanwhile, metal markets could see volatility, especially in copper and cobalt. It’s worth paying attention to how the situation in Angola develops and when railway traffic is fully restored. These geopolitical and climatic events have more impact on prices than many realize.