Lubumbashi Wastewater Spill Prompts Investigation into Congo Dongfang Mining
DRC Launches Judicial Probe into Congo Dongfang Mining Over Lubumbashi Environmental Disaster
The Congolese Ministry of Justice announced on Friday, November 21, 2025, the opening of a judicial investigation into mining company Congo Dongfang Mining (CDM) following the rupture of its retention basin, which released a large volume of wastewater across multiple districts of Lubumbashi.
According to a statement signed by Minister of State, Minister of Justice and Keeper of the Seals Guillaume Ngefa, the incident caused flooding of roads, homes, rivers, and the Moïse market, exposing residents to serious health risks and resulting in extensive environmental contamination.
“The Minister of State has instructed the Attorney General at the Court of Cassation to immediately open a judicial investigation,” the statement read, noting that the process aims to identify those responsible and initiate “the actions provided for by law.”
Minister Ngefa emphasized that environmental protection and public safety remain top government priorities and assured that all necessary measures would be taken to ensure accountability and justice.
