DRC's cobalt exports contain unreported uranium—our study estimates the global nuclear risk
The southern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is known as the Copperbelt because of its rich deposits of copper and other minerals.
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is renowned for its abundant copper and mineral deposits, particularly in the Copperbelt region. This area was once the primary source of uranium for the U.S. Manhattan Project, which developed the first atomic bombs during World War II. However, recent research has revealed a troubling issue: substantial quantities of unreported uranium are being exported from the DRC alongside cobalt.
According to our analysis, between 2000 and 2024, approximately 2,000 to 5,000 tonnes of natural uranium were likely shipped from the DRC in cobalt-hydroxide shipments. Less than 10% of this material was declared to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Upon exporting to China, the world's leading cobalt market, this quantity of uranium could potentially be used to construct around 600 to 1,500 nuclear weapons, or fuel a standard light-water nuclear reactor for 10 to 25 years.
The DRC officially ceased uranium mining in 2004, yet our study indicates that significant unreported uranium volumes continue to be exported. This situation arises due to the geologic coincidence of cobalt and uranium being found together in the same rocks. Cobalt is a crucial component in modern devices like smartphones and laptops, with the DRC accounting for 70% of global cobalt production.
The uranium in the DRC's cobalt ores is primarily sourced from ancient deposits, which have dispersed throughout the region over millions of years. When processing cobalt for export, the uranium remains in the final product, as current refining techniques do not effectively remove it. While some refineries have begun to implement uranium removal measures, they are not widespread.
The sheer scale of the DRC's cobalt industry presents a significant challenge for uranium accounting. Even with uranium removal strategies in place, enough uranium might still reach China to produce approximately 12 nuclear weapons annually, based on our calculations. This issue extends beyond global security concerns and poses a risk to local communities exposed to uranium during mining operations.
Our findings highlight a critical gap in nuclear accountancy and environmental oversight within the critical cobalt supply chain.
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