DR Congo partially lifts suspension on copper-cobalt processing after compliance review

Published: Jan 6, 2026 00:08

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On January 5, the Ministry of Mines of the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced that, following the completion of a compliance review in the mineral-rich Lualaba Province in the southeast, it has decided to partially and temporarily lift the suspension on copper-cobalt processing activities. The ministry stated that since the suspension took effect, a special committee established on December 26 has completed its compliance inspection mission in Lualaba Province. The committee operated through three working groups focusing on administrative and legal compliance, technical compliance, and mineral traceability. Based on its preliminary conclusions, the ministry decided to partially and provisionally lift the suspension for mineral processing entities operating exclusively within the province. Regarding the neighboring Haut-Katanga Province, processing entities are permitted, while awaiting the results of ongoing inspections, to receive mineral stockpiles currently stored at legally recognized or tolerated artisanal mining sites under the supervision of provincial mining authorities. The ministry emphasized that the final decision to fully lift the suspension will depend on whether each processing entity can effectively regularize its operations in accordance with official notifications.

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