Chinese mining giants hit back at claims their cobalt contains excessive uranium after Congo bars them from exporting copper and cobalt concentrates

Chinese-owned mining companies, in the Democratic Republic of Congo have rejected claims that their cobalt products contain excessive uranium, as Kinshasa imposes a new ban on exports of copper and cobalt concentrates.

The Union of Chinese-Capital Mining Companies in the DRC, known by its French acronym USMCC, described the allegations as “unfounded” in a statement posted on X on August 5, 2026.

Its response came after the Congolese government prohibited exports of copper and cobalt concentrates to encourage local processing and retain more value from the country’s mineral resources.

USMCC said the claims had misled markets, disrupted commercial activity and damaged confidence in cobalt products from the mineral-rich Central African country.

Chinese miners deny excessive uranium levels