The devastating impact of copper and cobalt mining pollution in Lualaba, DRC

Independent studies by Source International, RAID, AfreWatch, and researchers from the University of Lubumbashi found that nearly 98 percent of hourly fine-particle measurements near Lualaba's copper and cobalt mines exceeded WHO safety thresholds, with some readings six times the limit. The Galaxy School in Kolwezi, sitting less than 500 meters from a mining waste site, recorded some of the worst air quality and serves roughly 1,500 students and 68 staff daily.

Water testing found copper, cobalt, manganese, arsenic, lead, and uranium contamination in rivers, lakes, and wells, including one community well found to be 100 times more acidic than recommended, with manganese at 14 times the health limit. Chemical fingerprinting on the particulates points to industrial mining residue rather than traffic or domestic sources, according to the researchers.

The DRC supplies roughly three-quarters of global cobalt and competitive volumes of copper, minerals central to batteries and solar technology, drawing praise as an energy-transition 'solution country.' A local governance group, IBGDH ASBL, accused authorities of tragic complicity through silence, while residents described toxic dust regularly blanketing their neighborhoods.

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