By: GOLD MINERS CLUB DATE: 04-11-2026
Published November 4, 2026 | Mining & Resources | Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kinshasa/Kambove: The Democratic Republic of the Congo has opened judicial investigations into suspected mining fraud and illegal mineral exploitation, just as police in Haut-Katanga announced the arrest of more than 500 people at the Kambove mining site. Together, the moves mark one of the most aggressive enforcement pushes yet in the world’s top cobalt-producing country.
Justice Minister Orders Nationwide Probe
On November 2, 2026, Justice Minister Guillaume Ngefa Atondoko Andali instructed the Prosecutor General at the Court of Cassation to investigate suspected illegal mining, mining fraud and mineral smuggling in the copper-rich provinces of Lualaba and Haut-Katanga. The investigations are meant to establish the facts and determine who may bear criminal liability.
The order followed a report by an inter-agency mission of police, military personnel, military magistrates and Mines Ministry officials. According to the Justice Ministry, the operation seized more than 500 trucks and other machines, along with several thousand tonnes of copper and cobalt, at sites that include Menda. The statement did not break down the volumes of each metal, the form of the material, or the companies involved.
Reuters reported that a presidential task force seized the equipment at the Menda concession of Boss Mining, which belongs to Eurasian Resources Group (ERG), near Kolwezi. Authorities said expatriates working with Congolese nationals had used the machinery for illegal mining, and more than 60 foreign nationals were detained there in a separate operation. ERG had not responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting.
More Than 500 Arrested at Kambove
Separately, on Sunday, November 1, the Congolese National Police (PNC) detained more than 500 people at the Kambove mining site in Haut-Katanga, about 30 kilometres from Likasi. Local outlet 7sur7.cd later reported that the toll had passed 600.
Provincial police commander Blaise Kilimbalimba said the operation was aimed at dismantling criminal groups that disrupted the activities of Kambove Mining. He said some individuals had posed as state agents and imposed their own rules on the concession, describing the site as a state within a state.
The Kambove action was part of a triple operation carried out at the same time in Kambove, Likasi and Lubumbashi, and firearms were seized in the latter two cities. Police said a reinforced security presence will remain at Kambove Mining to stop the networks from re-forming.
A note on the numbers: the “500+” figures refer to two different things. More than 500 people were arrested at Kambove, while more than 500 trucks and machines were seized in the wider Lualaba and Haut-Katanga operation. Reports should not be read as meaning the same group is involved.
Part of a Wider Crackdown
The actions come amid a broader campaign. In recent weeks Congo has suspended a key artisanal mining regulator, detained hundreds of Chinese miners, and agreed to relocate more than 20,000 miners from the Kamilombe site, which sits on a Gécamines licence, to a designated artisanal zone.
Congo is the world’s largest cobalt producer and the second-largest copper producer, yet it has long struggled to curb illegal mining on concessions held by major international companies. Officials frame the crackdown as a defence of national sovereignty and state revenue, while governments across Africa are also seeking to formalise artisanal mining and bring more output into legal channels.
Why It Matters
Cobalt and copper are central to batteries, electric vehicles and power infrastructure, so disruption or enforcement in Lualaba and Haut-Katanga can ripple through global supply chains. Investors and operators will be watching how the investigations proceed, whether charges follow, and how authorities handle the thousands of artisanal miners who depend on these sites for a living.
The situation is still developing, and the Justice Ministry has not named the companies or individuals under investigation.
News References
- Bloomberg, “Congo to Probe Illegal Mining After Seizing Copper and Cobalt,” Nov 3, 2026: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2026-11-03/congo-to-probe-illegal-mining-after-seizing-copper-and-cobalt
- Reuters (via 102.7 WBOW), “Congo opens mining fraud inquiry after copper and cobalt seizures, statement shows,” Nov 3, 2026: https://1027wbow.com/2026/11/03/congo-opens-mining-fraud-inquiry-after-copper-and-cobalt-seizures-statement-shows/
- Miningmx, “Congo orders illegal mining probe after copper, cobalt seizures,” Nov 3, 2026: http://www.miningmx.com/2026-11-03-congo-orders-illegal-mining-probe-after-copper-cobalt-seizures/
- Shanghai Metals Market, “DRC Orders Mining Fraud Probe After Seizure of Trucks and Copper-Cobalt Materials,” Nov 3, 2026: https://news.metal.com/newscontent/104202236-drc-orders-mining-fraud-probe-after-seizure-of-trucks-and-copper-cobalt-materials
- Mining Review Africa / mining.com.au, “DRC probes large copper-cobalt seizures,” Nov 3, 2026: https://mining.com.au/drc-probes-large-copper-cobalt-seizures/
- allAfrica, “Congo-Kinshasa: Des enquêtes judiciaires ouvertes après d’importantes saisies minières dans le Lualaba et le Haut-Katanga,” Nov 3, 2026: https://fr.allafrica.com/stories/202611030431.html
- Mediacongo.net, “Haut-Katanga : plus de 500 personnes interpellées sur le site minier de Kambove,” Nov 1, 2026: https://www.mediacongo.net/article-actualite-168911_haut_katanga_plus_de_500_personnes_interpellees_sur_le_site_minier_de_kambove.html
- 7sur7.cd, “Haut-Katanga : la Police interpelle plus de 600 personnes à Kambove,” Nov 2, 2026: https://7sur7.cd/2026/11/02/haut-katanga-la-police-interpelle-plus-de-600-personnes-kambove
- Miningmx, “Congo ousts artisanal mining regulator amid crackdown,” Oct 27, 2026: https://miningmx.com/2026-10-27-congo-ousts-artisanal-mining-regulator-amid-crackdown/
- OCCRP, “DRC Orders Probe into Illegal Mining Following Major Copper and Cobalt Seizure,” Nov 3, 2026: https://www.occrp.org/en/news/drc-orders-probe-into-illegal-mining-following-major-copper-and-cobalt-seizure
