KINSHASA, Aug 12 (Reuters) – Zambia will reopen its border with Democratic Republic of Congo after sealing it at the weekend due to protests, blocking a key export route for the world’s second largest copper producer, the two countries said in a joint statement on Monday.

The border, which was closed following an announcement by Zambian Trade Minister Chipoka Mulenga on Saturday, will reopen on Tuesday, according to a separate statement from Congo’s trade ministry.

Mulenga made the announcement after a Congolese ban on imported soft drinks and beer led to demonstrations by Congolese transporters in the border town of Kasumbalesa.

Congo on Sunday said talks had begun between the neighbouring countries to enable a rapid reopening of the border.

On Monday, it said it would authorise the import of goods covered under the ban whose importation had been initiated before the ban came into effect.

Congo was the world’s no. 2 producer and no. 3 exporter of copper in 2023, producing about 2.84 million tons.

Zambia is a key export route for the Central African country. Most of Congo’s copper exports pass through the town of Kasumbalesa and into Zambia.

(Reporting by Benoit Nyemba, Yassin Kombi and Ange Kasongo; Writing by Portia Crowe; Editing by Sandra Maler)