Staff Reporter

Operations at a major Chinese-owned copper and cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) have been suspended after a dam collapse released several million cubic meters of electrolytes into Lubumbashi, the country’s second-largest city.

The spill, which began around November 4, has flooded hundreds of homes and sparked grave warnings about long-term ecological and health risks for the city’s over three million residents.

The suspended facility belongs to Congo Dongfang International Mining (CDM), a subsidiary of China-based Zhejiang Huayou Cobalt Co., a key player in the global cobalt market vital for electric vehicle batteries.

The catastrophic failure of the containment dam has devastated parts of Lubumbashi’s ecosystem.

The electrolyte spill, toxic material from the mining process, flooded houses across three neighborhoods, forcing residents to flee.

Environmental experts from the government-commissioned OCC (independent researchers) have already documented serious damage.

Water in the affected Lubumbashi River region is reportedly heavily contaminated with lead, arsenic, and other toxins.

“We are already seeing biodiversity loss, especially fish and insects,” said Dickson Kabange, a member of the commission, after sampling the river.

Furthermore, Mr. Kabange also warned that poisoned fish could reach local markets, endangering thousands.

The incident has intensified scrutiny of safety practices within the Copperbelt mining sector, which spans DR Congo and neighboring Zambia.

This disaster is the second major environmental crisis linked to Chinese-owned mines in the Copperbelt this year.