The Democratic Republic of the Congo will open an investigation into suspected mining fraud and widespread illegal mining, following the seizure of thousands of tons of copper and cobalt as well as more than 500 trucks and other machines, according to a statement by the Justice Ministry.
The probe comes two weeks after Congo’s mines minister suspended the head of the state agency overseeing artisanal and small-scale mining, accusing him of failing to prevent illegal mining on licensed concessions.
As the world’s largest producer of cobalt and second-largest producer of copper, the Democratic Republic of the Congo has long struggled with unauthorized miners and cross-border smuggling rings encroaching on industrial concessions held by foreign operators.
Source: OCCRP · 2026-11-03