What is the Democratic Republic of Congo's new strategy to address illegal artisanal mining on industrial cobalt sites?

Congo’s state-owned Entreprise Generale du Cobalt (EGC) is seeking partnerships with industrial cobalt producers to designate small, formalized areas—called 'squares'—on their mining concessions for use by cooperatives of independent artisanal diggers, without altering the legal status of the permits; this approach aims to reduce unauthorized incursions while providing structured livelihoods, and is supported by new regulations enabling EGC to collaborate with mining companies on artisanal mining issues.

Which companies has EGC already partnered with—or is currently negotiating with—to implement this artisanal mining formalization plan?

EGC signed its first deal in February with Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), which owns multiple copper and cobalt projects in Congo, and is still identifying sites for implementation; it is also in talks with US-based Virtus Minerals Inc., which recently acquired copper and cobalt permits in Congo under a December US-Congo economic pact aimed at securing critical minerals for defense, energy, and technology; Virtus confirmed the discussions to Bloomberg.

Congo Eyes Deals With Cobalt Producers to Tackle Illegal Mining

May 14, 2026

Congo's state-owned cobalt monopoly is partnering with industrial miners like Virtus and Eurasian Resources Group to formalize artisanal mining zones, aiming to curb illegal site incursions while securing supply chains for critical minerals.

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Congo Eyes Deals With Cobalt Producers to Tackle Illegal Mining

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