The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has ordered a three-month suspension of operations at a Chinese-owned mining site following an environmental spill that affected residential areas in the south of the country, Reuters reports.
Mines Minister Louis Watum reported the move last Thursday against Congo Dongfang International Mining (CDM), a unit of China's Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt, after travelling to the city of Lubumbashi to assess the damage.
He said on X that the company does not meet basic environmental standards, which is causing water pollution and exposing the local community to serious health risks.
The minister mandated that CDM must "fully repair the environmental damage, ensure the remuneration of its staff, [and] compensate the affected populations."
He said that an investigation into the incident would be conducted and that the suspension could be extended if necessary.
DRC is the world's largest producer of cobalt, accounting for over 70% of global supply.
The government had previously frozen cobalt exports in February in an attempt to support prices, only lifting the ban in mid-October to resume shipments under a quota system.
Mathew Nyaungwa, Editor-In-Chief, Rough & Polished
