ERG Africa and EGC Sign MoU to Formalise Artisanal Cobalt Mining in the DRC

At the sidelines of Mining Indaba, ERG Africa and Entreprise Générale du Cobalt, EGC, formalised a strategic partnership aimed at transforming artisanal cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in the presence of the DRC Minister of Mines, Louis Watum Kabamba, marking a significant step toward improving governance, transparency and sustainability within the country’s artisanal and small scale mining sector. The agreement reflects a broader commitment to reforming the cobalt supply chain and ensuring that mineral resources contribute to structured economic development.

The partnership will focus on Lualaba Province, a key cobalt producing region, where ERG Africa will grant EGC mining rights over one of its exploitation areas. Through this pilot initiative, the parties aim to create a structured and controlled operating model for artisanal miners. This model seeks to professionalise operations, introduce formal oversight mechanisms and strengthen accountability. By moving informal mining activities into a regulated framework, the initiative intends to reduce operational risks, improve occupational health and safety standards and mitigate human rights concerns that have historically been associated with artisanal cobalt production.

A core objective of the agreement is to enhance environmental stewardship and reinforce traceability systems across the cobalt value chain. Improved traceability will allow stakeholders to track cobalt from extraction to export, thereby strengthening compliance with international responsible sourcing standards, including OECD due diligence guidelines. The project is designed to support secure and ethically sourced cobalt supplies, particularly for battery manufacturers and original equipment manufacturers, OEMs, who increasingly demand transparent and compliant supply chains to meet global sustainability requirements.

Implementation of the project will involve close coordination with key national institutions, including the Ministry of Mines, ARECOMS, SAEMAPE and CEEC, with support from Gécamines. In addition, GIZ will serve as a technical partner, contributing expertise in governance and capacity building, while a designated third party operator will oversee daily operational management. Public consultations with local communities and civil society organisations will also be conducted to ensure inclusivity and social acceptance, reinforcing the project’s community engagement framework.

The MoU aligns with the DRC government’s broader vision of establishing a formalised, transparent and inclusive mining sector under President Félix Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo. By strengthening cooperation between public institutions and private sector actors, the initiative signals a shift toward structured artisanal mining models that can deliver both social safeguards and economic value. If successfully implemented, this framework could significantly enhance the credibility of Congolese cobalt on international markets, attract responsible investment and stabilise revenue streams. For Africa’s mining industry, particularly in critical minerals, such reforms may serve as a replicable model for balancing resource extraction with governance, social responsibility and long term economic resilience.

Mini-Glossary

• Artisanal and Small Scale Mining, ASM: Mining activities carried out by individuals or small groups, often using limited technology and informal methods.
• Memorandum of Understanding, MoU: A formal agreement between parties outlining mutual intentions and cooperation.
• Traceability: The ability to track the origin and movement of minerals throughout the supply chain.
• OECD Due Diligence Standards: International guidelines promoting responsible business conduct and ethical sourcing of minerals.
• OEMs, Original Equipment Manufacturers: Companies that produce finished products or components, such as electric vehicle manufacturers.
• Professionalisation: The process of improving skills, standards and regulatory compliance within a sector.
• Governance Framework: A structured system of rules, institutions and processes guiding decision making and oversight.

Image Credit: Official LinkedIn Page of ERG Africa

Editor: Vural Burç ÇAKIR