The Democratic Republic of Congo has suspended mining activities at a site operated by a Chinese company following the discovery of a leak that posed health risks to local residents. The Minister of Mines emphasized the need for environmental compliance and potential extensions of the suspension if necessary.
The Minister of Mines, Louis Watum Kambaba, announced that the Democratic Republic of Congo has suspended activities at a mining site operated by a Chinese company in the resource-rich south of the country following the discovery of a leak.
The company, Congo Dongfang International Mining (CDM), primarily imports copper and cobalt from the Democratic Republic of Congo and is a subsidiary of the Chinese firm Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt. Kambaba noted in a post on the platform X that he visited Lubumbashi, the country’s second-largest city, after learning of the leak that affected several neighborhoods. He added that the company does not meet environmental standards, causing water pollution and exposing residents to serious health risks.
He further stated that the suspension could be extended for three months if necessary, emphasizing that CDM must fully address the environmental damage, ensure employee wages, compensate affected residents, and strictly comply with mining law requirements. An investigation into the incident will also be conducted.
It is worth noting that Congo, the African nation producing over 70% of the world’s cobalt, froze cobalt exports in February to limit supply and raise prices. The authorities lifted the ban on October 16 to resume exports under a quota system. However, cobalt producers are still awaiting government approval to resume shipments, according to sector sources.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is a major player in the global cobalt market, producing over 70% of the world’s supply. In February, the country froze cobalt exports to manage supply and increase prices, lifting the ban in October under a quota system. However, producers still await government approval to resume shipments, highlighting ongoing regulatory challenges in the mining sector. Environmental concerns have increasingly come to the forefront, prompting stricter oversight of mining operations.
