Kinshasa Opens 60-Day Probe Into Uranium Claims In Cobalt Exports

Kinshasa, August 7, 2026 - The Congolese government has opened a 60-day investigation into allegations of uranium contamination in cobalt exports linked to Tenke Fungurume, one of the country's largest copper-cobalt operations.

CMOC, the operator of Tenke Fungurume, has rejected the allegations, saying its cobalt hydroxide complies with Congolese regulations and customer specifications. The company said there have been no customs holds or client rejections connected to its products and that radiometric quality controls are applied across the supply chain.

On August 5, a collective representing Chinese mining interests in the DRC also dismissed the claims, saying uranium levels in cobalt products from southeastern DRC are naturally occurring and not economically feasible to extract. The government has noted that uranium co-mineralization in Roan Group copper-cobalt deposits has long been recognized, and that traces in cobalt concentrate enter nuclear accounting only if recovered as source material.

In an August 6 statement, Kinshasa said it would conduct a representative analytical campaign with national and accredited international laboratories, including CNPRI, CGEA and CEEC. An interministerial working group is tasked with producing a report within 60 days on the allegations, potential health and environmental risks, and any required measures.

The government is also consulting the International Atomic Energy Agency for technical support, while reaffirming its obligations under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and its sovereignty over natural resources. The issue is significant for investors because it touches the DRC's cobalt export credibility, regulatory oversight and relations with major mining partners.