• The mines minister partially and temporarily lifted the suspension on artisanal copper-cobalt processing entities in Lualaba.
• A compliance review found all processing entities in violation of the Mining Code and regulations.
• Authorities will condition any permanent lifting on full regulatory compliance

The Democratic Republic of Congo partially eased restrictions on artisanal copper-cobalt processing in Lualaba, the country’s main hub for artisanal activity in the sector.

Mines Minister Louis Watum Kabamba lifted “partially and temporarily” the suspension of mining and commercial activities for artisanal mineral processing entities in the copper-cobalt value chain operating in Lualaba. The ministry announced the decision in a statement published on January 5, 2026, following compliance inspections conducted in Kolwezi.

“At the end of the commission’s work (established on December 26), organized into three sub-commissions (administrative and legal, technical, and traceability and compliance), the commission found violations of the Mining Code and Mining Regulations by all processing entities,” the statement said.

The minister framed the decision as a transitional measure, allowing operators time to regularize their status. “The maintenance or definitive lifting of the suspension will remain conditional on the effective regularization of each processing entity,” the document added.

According to the statement, authorities will notify each processing entity within 72 hours of publication. The individual notices will detail corrective measures required to address administrative, technical, and traceability breaches and will specify, where applicable, financial penalties payable under current mining law.

However, the partial lifting does not apply to Luilu Resources. The ministry said the company failed to present credible documentation on technical operations and mineral traceability during the review. Authorities ordered the company to appear again before the commission in Lubumbashi within three days, with the required documents, or face sanctions proportionate to the seriousness of the violations.

Transitional Measure for Haut-Katanga

Authorities also adopted a transitional measure for Haut-Katanga, another province with significant artisanal copper-cobalt activity. Pending inspection results, authorities authorized processing entities on a temporary basis to receive minerals already present at legal or tolerated artisanal sites.

Provincial services will supervise the operation, including the provincial mining division, the provincial directorate of SAEMAPE, the provincial ministry of Mines, and representatives of cooperatives and traders.

Since December 19, 2025, authorities have suspended activities of all artisanal mineral processing entities in the copper-cobalt sector nationwide. The mines minister said the suspension forms part of the implementation of the roadmap of the National Commission to Combat Mining Fraud.

The measure aims to clean up the artisanal mineral supply chain and ensure compliance with OECD due diligence principles and the national traceability manual.

This article was initially published in French by Ronsard Luabeya

Adapted in English by Ange Jason Quenum