Mercuria and EGC sign MOU to develop responsible cobalt supply chain in DRC

Shanghai/Kinshasa March 28, 2026 - The Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) and Mercuria Energy Trading have signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at structuring and formalizing an artisanal cobalt supply chain in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with a focus on the Kasulo mining site in Kolwezi. Announced in Shanghai, the agreement seeks to establish what both parties describe as a “gold standard” model for artisanal and small-scale mining, emphasizing transparency, sustainability, and responsible sourcing in cobalt production. The initiative will involve cooperation with artisanal miners, local cooperatives, the state mining company Gécamines, as well as national and provincial authorities to address key challenges in the sector, including health and safety standards, human rights compliance, environmental protection, and end-to-end traceability. The framework is expected to align with international guidelines such as the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains and the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, alongside national regulatory standards. EGC, which oversees artisanal cobalt production in the DRC, and Mercuria, a global commodities trading firm, say the partnership aims to professionalize artisanal mining by improving regulation and ensuring safer working conditions while maintaining supply chain reliability. The Kasulo project is intended to serve as a pilot model for structured artisanal mining, with ambitions of becoming an international reference point for responsible cobalt sourcing. Company representatives stated that the collaboration reflects growing global demand for ethically sourced critical minerals used in batteries and energy technologies, and underscores efforts to integrate artisanal mining into formal supply systems.