History
Entreprise Générale du Cobalt SA
“EGC” is a subsidiary of GECAMINES, established in 2019 and mandated by the Democratic Republic of Congo Government to exercise a monopoly in the country on the sourcing of cobalt from artisanal mining operations, whereby processing prior to export is required before it can be traded. Furthermore, it should also ensure that this production meets high standards of social and environmental responsibility and traceability.
Boasting more than 60% of the world’s cobalt production, the Democratic Republic of Congo is now the world’s leading cobalt producer.
- March 9th, 2018: promulgation of the new mining code by law nº18/001
- November 24th, 2018: decree nº18/042 declaring cobalt, germanium and columbite-tantalite “coltan” as strategic ores
- November 5th, 2019: decree nº19/15 on the safeguarding of activities relating to strategic ores derived from artisanal mining
- December 2nd, 2019: Entreprise Générale du Cobalt (EGC) was officially launched
Values
Integrity
We handle the purchase, processing and exclusive trading of strategic ores from the Democratic Republic of Congo, ensuring stringent standards in this field. Our goal is to constantly improve working conditions for our artisanal mining within a framework that is consistent with the highest social and environmental standards.
Safety
Our priority is to guarantee the safety of our artisanal miners working in artisanal mining areas and to protect the health of all employees in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Our role is to ensure a safe and sound work environment for all our direct and indirect employees as well as nearby communities.
Responsibility
We are well aware of our impact in our ecosystem. We continually focus our efforts to safeguard human rights, health, safety and the protection of the environment.
Transparency
We have established a series of internal controls as well as external audits for each stage of our value chain in order to ensure a transparent framework with our stakeholders.
OBJECTIVES
Improving artisanal miners’ working conditions and protecting vulnerable populations
Our cobalt production is responsible and sourced from authorized cooperatives and their artisanal miners, which in turn guarantees the protection of vulnerable populations (pregnant women, children, etc.), and also guarantees decent working conditions for artisanal miners.
Increasing income from artisanal mining
EGC’s monopoly over the buying and trading processes reduces illegal activities associated with the mining and trading of artisanal cobalt, while mitigating the negative economic impact that the mining of these ores has had, or could have, on global cobalt prices as well as on artisanal miners’ revenues.
Traceability of operations
The supervision and implementation of traceability processes at all stages of the value chain is essential to ensure the legality and compliance of operations with the highest social, environmental, and financial standards.
Strengthening the reputation and image of the Democratic Republic of Congo
EGC’s action will help improve the country’s reputation and enhance the image of its ethical mining industry.
LEADERSHIP
EGC’s Board of Directors is composed of the following members:
- Mr Albert Yuma Mulimbi | Chairman of the Board of Directors
- Mr Jean Dominique Takis Kumbo
- Mr Elisée Kazadi Tshibangu
- Mr Emile Mutunda Koji
- Mr Mabolia Yenga
- Mr Dominique Bushebu Lumana
- Mr Pierrot Kitobo Sambisaya
- Mr Justin Kamwanya Kalemuna
- Mr Luc Badibanga Mwanza