The Democratic Republic of Congo has launched a formal investigation following reports that massive quantities of undeclared uranium have been leaving the country hidden within cobalt exports. This move comes after investigative work by the Financial Times, Le Monde, and Lighthouse Reports suggested that thousands of metric tons of natural uranium may have leaked out between 2000 and 2024. Because uranium often occurs naturally alongside cobalt in the DRC’s copper belt, it can bond with the raw ore before it is shipped overseas, primarily to China, where most of the world’s cobalt is processed.
Nuclear security experts warn that these undeclared exports create dangerous blind spots in global nuclear accounting. Sebastien Philippe, a co-author of a study published in Nature Communications, noted that since very little of this material was reported to the International Atomic Energy Agency, there is virtually no way to track where it ends up. He cautioned that the volume of missing material is substantial enough to potentially fuel a nuclear reactor for decades or provide the base material for hundreds of nuclear weapons, depending on whether it enters a civilian or military program.
In response to these claims, the Congolese government is establishing a dedicated working group to analyze shipment samples and assess potential environmental and health risks. As part of their strategy to tighten oversight, Kinshasa plans to collaborate with the IAEA for technical support and has mandated the installation of radiation detectors for trucks at border crossings. A full report on their findings is expected within sixty days.
The controversy has also cast a spotlight on major industry players like CMOC Group, whose internal documents allegedly showed uranium levels far exceeding export limits at certain sites. While CMOC has categorically denied any wrongdoing and insists its products comply with all regulations, the government remains under pressure to prove its oversight capabilities. Despite current skepticism regarding some of the data models used in the initial reports, Congolese officials say they are committed to transparency while defending their long history of managing mineral extraction in the region.
