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Category: Cobalt

Cobalt Institute Hosts Roundtable in Kinshasa to Address Concerns Over Child Labor in Congolese Cobalt Production 1 Mining in DRC Cobalt 

Cobalt Institute Hosts Roundtable in Kinshasa to Address Concerns Over Child Labor in Congolese Cobalt Production

Constance
The Cobalt Institute, a global trade association representing the entire cobalt industry and value chain, held a roundtable discussion on Thursday, October 17, in Kinshasa. The focus was on the potential inclusion of Congolese cobalt in the U.S. Department of Labor’s 2024 list of goods produced by child or forced labor. Deputy Minister of Mines, Godard Motemona, actively participated in the roundtable, which brought together various stakeholders from both the public and private mining sectors. Notably, Chanda Uluca, the Division Chief for the African Zone of the U.S. Department of… Read More Here
Cobalt Mining in Kolwezi Poses Serious Risks to Women's Reproductive Health 2 Mining in DRC Cobalt 

Cobalt Mining in Kolwezi Poses Serious Risks to Women’s Reproductive Health

Constance
An investigation by La Guardia Magazine highlights the severe health consequences of intensive cobalt mining in Kolwezi, DRC, particularly on women’s reproductive health. From 2018 to 2023, cobalt production surged by 63%, increasing from 104,000 tons to 170,000 tons due to rising global demand for this essential mineral for energy transition. However, this accelerated exploitation poses significant environmental and health risks, especially in the Musonoï district. Located less than two kilometers from Kolwezi’s center, Musonoï overlooks an open-pit mine operated by Compagnie minière de Musonoï (COMMUS), a subsidiary of the… Read More Here
DRC's Minister of Mines Commits to Eradicating Child Labor in Cobalt Mining 3 Mining in DRC Artisanal mining Cobalt 

DRC’s Minister of Mines Commits to Eradicating Child Labor in Cobalt Mining

Constance
In a press release dated October 14, 2024, the Ministry of Mines of the Democratic Republic of Congo expressed its “astonishment” at the inclusion of Congolese cobalt on the list of products potentially associated with child labor, as reported by the United States Department of Labor. This statement follows a previous reaction from the government through the Ministry of Communication and Media. The ministry pointed out that while this decision highlights ongoing challenges in certain regions related to artisanal cobalt mining—representing only 5% of the country’s national production—it fails to… Read More Here
Gecamines Bids for Chemaf Resources Amid Ongoing Controversy Over Chinese Sale 4 Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper 

Gecamines Bids for Chemaf Resources Amid Ongoing Controversy Over Chinese Sale

Constance
The Democratic Republic of Congo’s state-owned miner, Gecamines, has submitted a bid for Chemaf Resources Ltd.’s unit in the country. This move comes months after Gecamines announced its intention to block a previous deal that would sell the copper and cobalt miner to a Chinese investor. Chemaf, which is backed by Trafigura Group, spent nine months searching for a buyer before announcing a sale to China’s Norin Mining Ltd. in June. Although Chemaf is still working to finalize that deal, it has faced opposition from the government and Gecamines, which… Read More Here
Metalkol Enters Copper Mark for Sustainable Production in the DRC 5 Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper Corporate News 

Metalkol Enters Copper Mark for Sustainable Production in the DRC

Constance
Eurasian Resources Group’s (ERG) Metalkol operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has officially entered the Copper Mark assurance process, following a letter of commitment signed on September 12. The Copper Mark, an assurance framework launched in 2020, is aimed at promoting responsible mineral sourcing and production across the copper, nickel, molybdenum, and zinc value chains. The assurance process is voluntary, transparent, and independent, involving third-party assessments by approved assessors. These evaluations will verify whether Metalkol meets the stringent requirements for responsible production practices. By participating in this process,… Read More Here
Anglo American Highlights the Vital Role of Zambian Capital Markets for Mining Sector Growth 6 Mining in Zambia Cobalt Copper Events & Expos Press Release 

Anglo American Highlights the Vital Role of Zambian Capital Markets for Mining Sector Growth

Constance
A strong and vibrant local capital market is essential to attract foreign institutional investors to Zambia’s mining sector, said Norman Mbazima, senior Anglo American executive for the last 20 years and Chairman of Anglo American Platinum. Speaking at the Zambian Mining and Investment Insaka last week, Mr Mbazima underscored the critical importance of creating a conducive investment climate to unlock the country’s mining potential. Participating in a panel discussion titled “Mining Beyond Copper: What’s in it for Zambia?”, Mr Mbazima joined a group of esteemed experts to explore the past,… Read More Here
Glencore’s 6th Annual DRC Mining Conference Highlights ESG and Sustainability Efforts 7 Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper Events & Expos 

Glencore’s 6th Annual DRC Mining Conference Highlights ESG and Sustainability Efforts

Constance
On October 8, 2024, Glencore held its 6th annual conference in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), bringing together key stakeholders to address crucial issues in the country’s mining sector. The event, an essential platform for industrial miners like Glencore, emphasized the promotion of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, traceability, and sustainability. Glencore has been a significant player in the DRC since 2007, contributing substantially to the nation’s economy through its copper and cobalt production. Its major assets include Kamoto Copper Company (KCC), co-owned with Gécamines (25% stake), and… Read More Here
Glencore’s Kamoto Copper Faces Royalties Dispute Amid Ties to Dan Gertler 8 Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper 

Glencore’s Kamoto Copper Faces Royalties Dispute Amid Ties to Dan Gertler

Constance
A long-standing dispute between a Glencore Plc unit and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is centered around a deal struck years ago by Israeli businessman Dan Gertler, who has been sanctioned by the US for alleged corruption. The conflict involves Kamoto Copper Company (KCC), a major copper and cobalt mine owned by Glencore, and concerns royalty payments made to Gertler. Congo’s mines minister, Kizito Pakabomba, stated that the government believes part of these funds should have been paid to the state rather than Gertler. Gertler was sanctioned by the… Read More Here
Cobalt Prices Hit Eight-Year Low Amid Oversupply from DRC and Indonesia 9 Battery Metals Cobalt Mining in DRC 

Cobalt Prices Hit Eight-Year Low Amid Oversupply from DRC and Indonesia

Constance
The price of cobalt has reached its lowest level since January 2016, according to a daily assessment by Fastmarkets, a UK-based agency specializing in metal prices. On September 24, 2024, cobalt prices on the London Metal Exchange had dropped by 54% since early September 2022, standing at $22,382 per tonne. This significant price decline is attributed to an oversupply, primarily from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Indonesia, the world’s top two producers of cobalt. According to the Cobalt Institute, global demand for cobalt was projected to reach 197,000… Read More Here
Glencore's Kamoto Copper Mine Faces $894 Million Royalty Dispute in DRC 10 Mining in DRC Cobalt Copper Mining tax 

Glencore’s Kamoto Copper Mine Faces $894 Million Royalty Dispute in DRC

Constance
Glencore’s Kamoto Copper Company (KCC), a major copper and cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), is facing a dispute with the country’s tax authority, DGRAD, over unpaid royalties amounting to more than €800 million ($894 million). According to sources, earlier this year, DGRAD froze KCC’s local bank accounts, and recently sealed off a metal storage warehouse, though the facility was reopened the next day. Kamoto, in which Glencore holds a 75% stake, is one of the largest mines in the DRC. It exported 200,000 tons of copper… Read More Here

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