Copper/cobalt ore movement across Zambia/DRC border reports may have been premature

Earlier statements that the DRC’s Katanga province had re-opened its border with Zambia to allow copper and cobalt concentrate-carrying trucks to pass do not appear to be substantiated by local reports.

NDOLA, ZAMBIA - 

As news filtered on Thursday that the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)'s Katanga Province had partially lifted a ban on movement of copper and cobalt concentrates to Zambia, the Zambian government indicates this may not be true.

Zambia indicates that instead, DRC authorities have advised drivers marooned at the border, following an order halting the export of copper concentrates issued by Katanga governor Moise Katumbi, to empty their trucks if they were to leave for Zambia.

Copperbelt Province permanent secretary Jennifer Musonda told journalists that the nearly 400 copper- and cobalt-laden trucks stuck in the DRC since early this month remained at a standstill.

Musonda said only 30 trucks were allowed to cross from DRC to Zambia because they carried tobacco and pure copper and zinc, while a large number were empty.

"The trucks belong to a Congolese company. They supply food to the DRC government [and these] crossed into the country...but those carrying copper concentrates are still impounded and the drivers have been told to empty them if they wanted to cross to Zambia. But the drivers cannot empty them without permission from their employers," she said.

Musonda's statement is contrary to assurances following her meeting with DRC's Kasumbalesa mayor Felix Kabulu on Monday, who assured her that the trucks would be released.

But on Friday, a leading Zambian daily reported that Katumbi, wanted by Zambian authorities for alleged corruption, said the ban would remain in force because it sought to protect the interests of both Zambia and DRC.

"[Some crooked] People are stealing material here. Can Zambia accept...these stolen materials? So you see, I am protecting both countries...because we are brothers. People are not paying taxes. Zambia is losing. Congo is losing. Trucks are crossing the border illegally," Katumbi told The Post. "Unprocessed materials will not leave the Congo. I am going to make sure that they do not leave. I need to control these things in the interest of both Zambia and Congo."

In a statement of March 6, 2007, Katumbi said pursuant to article 85 of the DRC's Mining Code and article 218 of its regulations, export of unprocessed minerals (mineral scrap, malachite, etc) was forbidden, except with conditional authority from the mines ministry.

He stated that coupled with discoveries that some dealers were under-declaring the value and weight of their cargo, exports were indefinitely suspended and that DRC would use the period to strengthen control mechanisms.

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