KINSHASA, Dec 24 – The Democratic Republic of Congo has suspended all artisanal copper and cobalt processing activities as part of a broader effort to improve transparency and curb illegal mineral exports, according to a government decree.
The decree, dated December 19 and signed by Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba, orders all entities involved in the processing and marketing of artisanal copper and cobalt to immediately suspend operations and certify the origin of the minerals they use.
Authorities said a dedicated commission will be established to oversee compliance and verify the traceability and legality of mineral supplies.
Congo, the world’s largest cobalt producer, accounts for roughly 70% of global output. However, the country has long struggled with illegal artisanal mining, which diverts revenue from state coffers and undermines regulatory oversight in the mining sector.
A source at the president’s office said the suspension would allow authorities to better understand the scale of mineral flows processed by artisanal units and to identify volumes that may have been operating outside the law. The government has not disclosed estimates on how the move may affect illegal exports.
LICOCO, a Congolese civil society organisation focused on anti-corruption efforts in the mining sector, said many operators have historically paid bribes to obtain permits and bypass requirements set out in the country’s mining code.
The crackdown follows Congo’s launch in November of its first batch of traceable artisanal cobalt, part of efforts to clean up supply chains and align production with international environmental, social and governance standards.
Artisanal mining remains a critical source of livelihoods in Congo, employing an estimated 1.5 million to 2 million people and indirectly supporting more than 10 million. However, unregulated output is difficult to track, vulnerable to confiscation and has contributed to higher prices for ethically sourced, traceable cobalt.
