DRC Suspends Artisanal Copper-Cobalt Activities Nationwide Amid Fraud Concerns

Publicado: Dec 29, 2025 10:37
On 19 December 2025, the DRC Ministry of Mines issued Ministerial Decree No. 00964, ordering an immediate nationwide suspension of all mining, processing, and commercialization activities linked to artisanal copper and cobalt . The decree follows findings by the National Anti-Mining Fraud Commission that widespread illegal sourcing, encroachment on licensed mining concessions, and failure to comply with OECD traceability and due-diligence standards persist despite prior warnings and a grace period to regularize operations. An ad-hoc government commission has been established to audit affected entities, and only those able to demonstrate fully legal, traceable, and compliant supply chains will be allowed to resume activity. While described as a temporary and preventive measure, the suspension is effective immediately and is expected to disrupt artisanal copper-cobalt supply in the near term, increasing scrutiny on DRC-origin material

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On 19 December 2025, the DRC Ministry of Mines issued Ministerial Decr - Shanghai Metals Market (SMM)