DRC government responds to uranium traces in cobalt exports

The government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo has responded to a study published in the journal Nature Communications alleging the presence of uranium traces in certain cobalt hydroxide exports. Authorities state that the presence of uranium in the copper and cobalt deposits of the Lualaba and Haut-Katanga regions is a long-standing geological phenomenon related to the Roan Group formations.

The Congolese executive maintains that this co-mineralization is not an anomaly or an intentional act, asserting that the study's findings may rely on broad modeling rather than direct measurements of actual exported cargoes. The government emphasized that under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards, uranium present only in trace amounts within cobalt ore is not considered nuclear material unless specifically extracted for that purpose.

To address the controversy and preserve the credibility of the country's mining supply chain, Kinshasa has announced a comprehensive counter-expertise campaign. This includes analyses by both a national laboratory and an accredited international laboratory. An interministerial working group will be established to evaluate potential health and environmental risks and propose measures within 60 days. The government also plans to seek technical support from the IAEA and reaffirmed its commitment to international nuclear non-proliferation treaties.