Cobalt, a mineral essential to many industries, is at risk of being internationally banned in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) due to allegations of irregularities in its chain of custody and extraction. This alert was launched by the Minister of Mines, Antoinette Nsamba Kalambayi, who underlines the need to formalize and improve the traceability system for minerals in the artisanal sector.
The DRC is one of the world’s largest producers of cobalt, an essential mineral in the manufacture of batteries used in smartphones, electric cars and wind turbines. However, the cobalt production and mining chain in the DRC faces challenges related to traceability and governance. It is therefore imperative to take steps to ensure that the cobalt mined in the DRC meets international standards.
As part of these efforts, several projects have been put in place to improve the traceability and governance of the artisanal mining sector in the DRC. These include the Responsible Minerals Supply Chain Initiative, which establishes environmental, social and governance requirements for mine sites. In addition, the General Company of Cobalt was created to develop the cobalt from artisanal production and support the economic development of the country.
However, despite these advances, challenges still remain. The Minister of Mines stresses that the share of the artisanal sector in mining in the DRC remains minimal, but it is essential to continue efforts to improve governance and traceability throughout the sector.
If cobalt from the DRC were to be banned internationally, this would have major economic consequences for the country, as well as for the industries that depend on this mineral. It is therefore crucial to take steps to ensure that the cobalt mined in the DRC is produced responsibly and meets international standards.
In conclusion, the DRC faces the risk of cobalt banishment due to alleged irregularities in its chain of custody and extraction. To prevent this situation, it is important to continue to improve the traceability and governance of the mining sector, while ensuring that international standards are respected. This will maintain the DRC’s position as one of the world’s leading producers of cobalt and support the country’s economic development