DRC Minister of Mines Suspends Artisanal Copper and Cobalt Processing Amid Traceability Push
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s Minister of Mines, Louis Watum Kabamba, has taken decisive action by signing Ministerial Order No. 00964/CAB.MIN/MINES/01/2025 on December 19, 2025, suspending all mining and marketing activities carried out by entities processing minerals from artisanal copper and cobalt mining.
The suspension specifically targets processing units, including purchasing offices and similar structures, involved in the acquisition, processing, and marketing of minerals sourced from artisanal mining sites. Legally established industrial mining operations are not affected.
The measure aims to protect compliant industrial operators while addressing longstanding concerns in the artisanal sector, including limited traceability, environmental degradation, and health risks to miners.
Copper and cobalt—of which the DRC produces nearly 70% of global supply—are critical to the global energy transition, particularly for electric vehicle batteries. While artisanal mining provides livelihoods for thousands, it remains a controversial and fragile segment of the value chain.
Through this decree, the Ministry of Mines seeks to “restore order to the value chain” by curbing non-compliant activities and responding to international pressure for responsible and sustainable mining.
The decision aligns with the government’s “zero tolerance” policy on illegal mining and mineral smuggling, reinforced under the revised Mining Code of 2018.
Social implications are expected, particularly in provinces heavily reliant on artisanal mining, such as Haut-Katanga and Lualaba. According to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), the sector supports thousands of households, raising concerns about potential short-term social repercussions.
The effectiveness of the suspension will depend on how authorities balance enforcement with support for affected communities. While it represents a step toward a more structured and sustainable copper-cobalt industry, the measure also poses immediate social and economic challenges in mining regions.
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