DRC Lifts Suspension on Chinese-Owned Copper-Cobalt Mine Amid Radiation Concerns
The government of the Democratic Republic of Congo has revoked the suspension order on a Congolese copper and cobalt operation majority-owned by China’s Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd.
Last month, Congo’s mines ministry halted the activities of the COMMUS project, in which Zijin owns a 72% stake, due to high radiation levels detected in mineral products returned from South Africa.
However, in a letter dated May 10, seen by Reuters, the mines ministry confirmed that it had received a report on the investigation’s findings and subsequently lifted the suspension.
Mining operations can resume under the condition that radiation levels are maintained in accordance with national and international standards.
COMMUS, based near Congo’s southern city of Kolwezi, has stated that it received the ministry’s letter and has fully resumed production and exports. Despite this, the company mentioned that it did not receive the report referenced in the ministry’s letter.
Congo holds a significant position as the world’s third-largest copper producer and the top producer of cobalt, which is a crucial component in batteries for electric vehicles and mobile phones.
According to ministry data, COMMUS produced 129,000 tonnes of copper and approximately 2,200 tons of cobalt in 2023.
