By 
By Osasome C.O
Public-Private Partnership Targets Ethical, Traceable Cobalt Supply
Eurasian Resources Group in Africa (ERG Africa) and Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen sustainable and responsible artisanal cobalt mining in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).
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The agreement establishes a public-private partnership focused on formalising, professionalising, and improving accountability across artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). Under the MoU, EGC will receive mining rights over a designated exploitation area owned by ERG Africa in Lualaba Province.
Cobalt’s Central Role in the Global Digital Economy
Cobalt remains a strategic mineral for the modern digital economy, serving as a critical component in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones, laptops, tablets, and electric vehicles. Its role in enhancing energy density, safety, and battery longevity makes cobalt indispensable to high-performance battery technology and global electrification efforts.
Supporting Formalisation Without ASM Production
ERG Africa clarified that none of its cobalt production originates from artisanal mining and will not do so in the future. However, the Group reaffirmed its commitment—alongside EGC, the Cobalt for Development Programme implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), and local communities—to support the formalisation of ASM, a sector vital to the DRC’s economy and global supply chain transparency.
Pilot Project to Improve Safety, Livelihoods and Traceability
The MoU includes a pilot project designed to establish a structured, replicable model for responsible artisanal mining. The initiative aims to improve working conditions for miners, reduce human rights and safety risks associated with informal mining, strengthen social cohesion in host communities, enhance environmental protection, and ensure secure, traceable cobalt supply chains aligned with Congolese government priorities.
Government and Stakeholders Back the Initiative
The signing ceremony brought together senior government and industry leaders, including Louis Watum Kabamba, DRC Minister of Mines; Gino Buhendwa Ntale, Chairman of EGC’s Board; Eric Kalala, CEO of EGC; and Davron Vakhabov, CEO of ERG Africa.
Implementation will be coordinated with the Ministry of Mines and regulatory bodies, including the Authority for the Regulation and Control of Markets and Strategic Substances (ARECOMS), SEAMAPE, and Centre d’Expertise, d’Évaluation et de Certification (CEEC), with support from Gécamines. EGC will lead operations, ERG Africa will act as an enabling partner, and GIZ will provide technical expertise. A third-party operator will manage daily activities, complemented by public consultations with local communities and civil society.
Industry Leaders Emphasise Responsible Mining
Speaking at the event, ERG Africa CEO Davron Vakhabov said the company believes legitimate artisanal mining plays a vital socio-economic role in the DRC. He noted that supporting ASM formalisation within the legal framework is essential to improving safety, transparency, and community well-being, adding that the MoU lays the foundation for a model with transformative potential.
EGC CEO Eric Kalala underscored that regulating artisanal mining on defined sites would ensure compliance with national and international standards, while creating a long-term, replicable model for ethical cobalt production.
DRC Government: Formalisation, Not Exclusion
In his keynote address, Minister of Mines Louis Watum Kabamba praised the initiative, stating that the DRC’s strategy prioritises formalisation over exclusion. He highlighted the government’s commitment to OECD-aligned due diligence, traceability, and responsible sourcing—while meeting the needs of global battery manufacturers and OEMs for secure, ethical supply.
He added that EGC plays a central role in organising artisanal cobalt production through designated ASM zones, structured cooperatives, controlled buying points, and compliance with safety and labour standards, ensuring verifiable supply chains that downstream buyers can trust.
Aligned With National Development Priorities
The initiative aligns fully with the priorities of President Félix-Antoine Tshisekedi Tshilombo and the DRC Government to build a more formalised, transparent mining sector that delivers sustainable, inclusive growth and reinforces the country’s position in the global energy transition.
