Key Minerals of the African Continent: DRC Partially Lifts Ban on Artisanal Copper and Cobalt Processing in Lualaba Region
¬ The Minister of Mines partially and temporarily lifted the ban on artisanal copper and cobalt processing companies in the Lualaba region
¬ Compliance review found that all processing entities violated the Mining Code and related regulations
¬ Authorities will impose comprehensive compliance regulatory requirements for any permanent suspension operations
The Democratic Republic of Congo has partially relaxed restrictions on copper and cobalt refining workshops in the Lualaba region, which is the main center for workshop activities in the country's industry.
DRC Minister of Mines Louis Vatumbu Kabamba announced that the "partial and temporary" lifting of the mining and commercial activity ban on artisanal mineral processing companies in the copper-cobalt value chain in the Lualaba region. The ministry issued a statement on January 5, 2026, stating that this decision was made after completing a compliance inspection in Kolwezi.
The statement said that the committee (established on December 26) had three subcommittees: administrative and legal, technical, traceability and compliance. After verification, it was found that all processing entities violated the Mining Code and the Mining Regulations.
The minister defined the decision as a transitional measure, giving operators time to legalize their status. The document added: "The maintenance or final removal of the suspension measures depends on the effective legalization of each processing entity."
The statement said that the authorities would notify each processing entity within 72 hours of the announcement. Each notice will detail the corrective actions needed to address administrative, technical, and traceability violations, and specify the fines prescribed by the current mining law where applicable.
However, Lulu Resources was not allowed to partially lift the restrictions. The ministry stated that the company failed to provide reliable documents on technical operations and mineral traceability during the review. Authorities required the company to return to the Lubumbashi Committee with the necessary documents within three days, otherwise it would face penalties commensurate with the severity of the violations.
"Upper Katanga Transitional Measures"
The authorities also took transitional measures for Upper Katanga province (which also has large-scale artisanal copper and cobalt mining activities). While waiting for the inspection results, the authorities have temporarily approved processing companies to receive existing mineral resources from legally or permitted artisanal mining sites.
Provincial service agencies will be responsible for supervising operations, including provincial mining departments, the Provincial Directorate of Mining Safety and Environmental Management, the Provincial Ministry of Mining, as well as representatives of cooperatives and traders.
Since December 19, 2025, the authorities have suspended all artisanal mining activities in the copper-cobalt industry nationwide. The Minister of Mines stated that this suspension is an important measure to implement the roadmap of the National Committee against mining fraud.
This measure aims to clean up the artisanal mineral supply chain, ensuring compliance with OECD due diligence principles and the national traceability manual requirements.
Source: ecofinagency
Original: toutiao.com/article/1853533677717516/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself