DR Congo orders mining probe after copper and cobalt seizures

The Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Justice Ministry has ordered judicial investigations into suspected mining fraud, illegal mineral extraction and smuggling after major seizures of minerals and equipment. In its statement dated 2 November 2026, the ministry said authorities seized several thousand tons of copper and cobalt and more than 500 trucks and other machines. The suspected offences remain provisional.

The action follows the suspension of the head of the state agency overseeing artisanal and small-scale mining. The mines minister accused him of failing to prevent illegal mining on licensed concessions.

DR Congo is the world’s largest cobalt producer and second-largest copper producer. Unauthorized miners and cross-border smuggling rings have encroached on industrial concessions held by foreign operators, OCCRP said.

Seizures across two provinces

The ministry said the seizures took place at several mining sites in Lualaba and Haut-Katanga, including Menda. The mission included Congolese national police, armed forces personnel, military magistrates and Mines Ministry experts. The statement did not give exact vehicle or mineral quantities, or a value for the minerals.

A government task force sent by the presidency seized more than 500 pieces of mining equipment the previous week at Boss Mining’s Menda concession near Kolwezi, the government statement said. Boss Mining is owned by Eurasian Resources Group, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment for Reuters’ November 3 report. In a separate operation, more than 60 foreign nationals were detained at the site.

Earlier suspension and the investigation

Mines Minister Louis Kabamba Watum suspended Jean-Paul Kadiobo Kapongo, director general of the state agency SAEMAPE, on 21 October. The suspension order accused Kapongo of failing to prevent illegal artisanal mining on licensed concessions and improperly establishing agency revenue-collection services inside concession areas, depriving permit holders of full use of their rights and exposing the state to potential liability for damages suffered by third parties. Kapongo did not immediately respond to requests for comment for Reuters’ October 27 report.

Justice Minister Guillaume Ngefa has instructed the prosecutor general attached to the Court of Cassation to open the investigations. The ministry said they should establish the facts, identify any criminal responsibility and draw the resulting legal consequences. It presented the operation as a way to protect the country’s natural resources and economic interests.