Milestone in Efforts to Formalize the Artisanal Mining Sector
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has achieved a significant milestone in its efforts to formalize artisanal mining, announcing the production of its first 1,000 metric tons of traceable artisanal cobalt. The achievement was confirmed by the state-owned Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC), marking a major step toward establishing transparent, ethically sourced cobalt from the world’s leading supplier.
Congo’s Central Role in Global Cobalt Supply
Congo holds approximately 72% of the world’s cobalt reserves and contributes over 74% of global supply. A considerable share of this production comes from artisanal mining, an informal sector that provides employment to between 1.5 million and 2 million Congolese and indirectly supports more than 10 million people.
However, a large portion of this cobalt is produced without formal oversight, making it difficult to track and vulnerable to government seizures. The resulting supply uncertainty reduces the availability of ethically sourced material and raises prices for traceable cobalt, a growing requirement for global manufacturers.
Export Quotas Introduced to Stabilize the Market
In an effort to curb oversupply and stabilise prices, the Congolese government introduced export quotas in October following a lengthy export ban. The quota system, overseen by the regulator ARESCOM, limits exports while encouraging local processing by making raw-ore shipments less commercially attractive.
EGC Unveils First Traceable Cobalt Output
EGC, established in 2019 as a subsidiary of state miner Gécamines, presented its first 1,000 tons of traceable artisanal cobalt during a ceremony in Kolwezi, the country’s cobalt-mining hub. The company said its traceability system is designed to improve supply-chain transparency and meet international environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards.
“The vision is to transform artisanal cobalt into a strategic asset under Congolese control,” EGC CEO Eric Kalala said at the launch. “Every ton purchased by EGC must reflect not only the value of the mineral, but also the dignity of those who extract it.”
Rising Demand for Ethically Sourced Cobalt
Global cobalt demand is expected to grow by 40% by 2030, driven largely by electric vehicle production and the expansion of energy-storage technologies, according to the International Energy Agency. Automakers and electronics manufacturers are increasingly requiring verified ethical supply chains, reinforcing pressure on producers to eliminate child labour, unsafe conditions, and unregulated sourcing.
Expansion Plans Underway
EGC said it aims to scale production beyond the initial 1,000 tons while developing refining capacity and capturing a greater share of the artisanal cobalt market. The company did not disclose how the first batch of traceable cobalt will be marketed or sold.
