Copper Theft Intercepted in Haut-Katanga
Security services in the Haut-Katanga province of the Democratic Republic of Congo have seized two trucks loaded with approximately 60 tonnes of stolen copper cathodes in Likasi, announced the provincial Governorate.
Four individuals accompanying the stolen minerals were arrested and brought before the courts in Lubumbashi for a public trial to be held, stated Governor Jacques Kyabula. He emphasized the need for transparency in revealing the sponsors and perpetrators behind such crimes.
The intercepted trucks, carrying copper cathodes, are believed to have originated from Kolwezi, a mining town in the neighboring Lualaba province, according to local media reports.
Describing the theft as an “economic crime” hindering regional development, Governor Kyabula reiterated the province’s commitment to combating mineral theft, particularly following a similar incident involving Tenke Fungurume Mining (TFM) in 2023, which sparked widespread concern.
