The Democratic Republic of the Congo has opened a wide-ranging judicial and military investigation into illegal mining operations in its cobalt mines, following a report uncovering an organized network protected by police and presidential guard members.
The move was prompted by findings from the National Anti-Fraud Commission, which revealed that unauthorized miners had infiltrated sites belonging to Switzerland’s Glencore and UK-based Eurasian Resource Group in the Lualaba province.
According to the report, the miners were using heavy machinery and operating under armed protection, while a smuggling scheme allegedly involving government officials, army personnel, and police officers has led to significant financial losses for the Congolese state.
