The DRC government has announced a series of checks following the publication of a study reporting traces of
uranium in some cobalt hydroxide exports, with Kinshasa expressing its willingness to establish the facts.
In the same breath, the officials reassured the Congolese public about compliance with its mining supply chain.
Reports suggest the presence of uranium in some cobalt hydroxide exports, a controversy arising amid strong global demand for this strategic mineral, used particularly in electric batteries.
In a statement released days ago, the Congolese government indicated that it had taken note of a study published on July 30, 2026, in the scientific journal Nature Communications, as well as reports from several international media outlets mentioning the presence of uranium in mining products exported by the country.
Congolese authorities maintain that the natural presence of uranium in the copper and cobalt deposits of Lualaba and Haut-Katanga provinces is a long-known geological phenomenon.
According to Kinshasa, this co-mineralisation results from the composition of the Roan Group geological formations and is “neither an anomaly nor the result of intentional action.”
The government, however, emphasises the need for thorough verification and announces the launch of a campaign of independent analyses on a representative sample of cobalt hydroxide exports.
These analyses will be conducted by a national laboratory as well as an accredited international laboratory, with the participation of the National Committee for Protection against Ionizing Radiation (CNPRI), the General Commission for Atomic Energy (CGEA), the Centre for Expertise, Evaluation and Certification (CEEC), and other relevant technical services.
An inter-ministerial working group has also been established to verify the allegations, establish the facts, assess potential health and environmental risks, and propose appropriate measures. Its report is expected within 60 days.
Kinshasa also plans to initiate consultations with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to request a technical support mission, building on existing cooperation and safeguard mechanisms with this institution.
The Congolese government assures that the results of these steps will be made public, believing that transparency is essential to preserving the credibility of the Congolese cobalt supply chain.
Finally, the DRC, the world’s leading producer of cobalt, reaffirms its commitment to continuing the exploitation and export of this resource in compliance with international ethical, environmental, and safety standards.
AC/Sf/fss/as/APA