DRC Government Takes Action on Mining Irregularities in Lualaba, Reviews Cobalt Export Ban
The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Security and Customary Affairs presented a detailed report to the 62nd Ordinary Council of Ministers, outlining measures to address irregularities uncovered in the mining sector of Lualaba Province.
The presentation followed a working meeting convened under the instruction of President Félix Tshisekedi to review findings from a recent inspection by the National Commission for the Fight against Mining Fraud.
Inspection Reveals Serious Irregularities
According to the inspection report, several issues were identified at mining sites across Lualaba, including:
The presence of uniformed personnel operating within concession areas;
Illegal incursions and invasions by unauthorized artisanal miners;
Unlawful activities by foreign operators, in violation of national mining laws.
In response, the Ministry of the Interior has implemented immediate corrective measures aimed at demilitarizing mining sites and securing them against repeated incursions.
The objective, the Minister said, is to “restore state authority, ensure transparency in the mineral supply chain, and prevent the infiltration of unauthorized actors in the exploitation of cobalt and other strategic minerals.”
Review of Cobalt Export Suspension
The meeting also examined the conditions under which the temporary suspension of cobalt exports — recently announced by the Authority for the Regulation and Control of Strategic Mineral Substances Markets (ARECOMS) — could be lifted.
This assessment seeks to ensure that any resumption of exports occurs within a secure and transparent framework, supported by strengthened institutional oversight. The aim, according to the Council’s minutes, is to enable ARECOMS to fully exercise its regulatory authority while improving the mining sector’s contribution to the national economy.
Adoption of a Support Plan
To support the phased lifting of the suspension, the government adopted a comprehensive support plan. The plan includes both short- and long-term measures to:
Enhance the traceability of artisanal cobalt;
Reinforce surveillance of export routes;
Maximize state revenues amid fluctuating global mineral prices.
These actions form part of a broader government effort to formalize artisanal mining, reduce fraud, and strengthen compliance across the cobalt value chain.
Inter-Ministerial Collaboration
The working session brought together representatives from key ministries — including Mines and Justice — in an inter-institutional effort to restore confidence among public authorities, private operators, and local communities.
The government reaffirmed its determination to clean up the artisanal mining sector, strengthen state oversight, and uphold responsible resource governance in one of the world’s most strategic mineral-producing regions.
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