“DR Congo suspends Chinese cobalt miner after chemical spill”, Semafor, 10 November 2025

DR Congo authorities have suspended a major Chinese-owned copper and cobalt operation after a dam collapse spilled contaminated water into Lubumbashi, the country’s second-largest city.

A containment dam belonging to Congo Dongfang International Mining (CDM) spilled “several million cubic meters of electrolytes” on Nov. 4 that flooded hundreds of homes in three neighborhoods, forcing residents to flee the area. Environmentalists also warned of pollution to well water, which many homes use daily.

DR Congo’s Mines Minister Louis Watum criticized CDM’s explanation, saying its waste storage and processing facilities “do not meet any international standards,” citing the lack of watertight barriers, structural stability, control devices and an emergency plan.

Early assessments by experts suggest serious environmental damage. Water in the region has been heavily contaminated with lead, arsenic, and other substances [...]. “We are already seeing biodiversity loss, especially fish and insects,” [...].

There are also concerns that the health impact on the city of more than 3 million people could be more significant than currently thought. “Some people will inhale toxic substances evaporating from the river,” warned Kabange. “Fish poisoned by the spill could also reach local markets, endangering thousands.” [...].

CDM is a subsidiary of Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co based in Tongxiang, Zhejiang province, in China. [...].

China’s Huayou is set to start lithium sulphate production in Zimbabwe in early 2026 as the southern African nation seeks to encourage more local processing.